“I, Brenna Elmore, will forever and always be a Twi-hard.” –Me, Nov. 21, 2012

For so long, I’ve hidden my Twilight books in the back of my bookshelf. Nowadays, it’s embarrassing to admit you were obsessed with it… even when back then, everyone and their mom (literally–remember Twilight Moms?) were.

But finally I’ve come to a point where I can admit to actual people that it changed my life.

Because of my obsession, I wrote a 4-inch binder’s worth of fan fiction. I mean, look at this beast.

Because of my obsession, I realized my love of writing. I spent nights in our playroom, watching TV and writing. Stayed up late listening to Christmas music on my radio and writing. Writing always. (Handwriting, mind you.)

Because of my obsession, my novels exist.

Don’t get me wrong, I will never, ever show anyone what’s in that binder. It’s embarrassing and ridiculous and dramatic. But because of what’s in that binder, I found a passion for story-telling.

“I have no idea what to do with my life now. It’s over. Tonight, it ended after exactly 4 years. Such a huge part of my life, something that molding me and shaped my character, has ended. I feel like I’m graduating.” 

I was so melodramatic, but I was right. As bad as the movies were from a film-making standpoint, that story did change my life. And once my novel is published, peep Twilight in the acknowledgements.