Q & A with a Twilight Blogger: Twilog Whitley

August 2, 5:54 PMMiami Books ExaminerAna Cristina Simon

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Twilog Whitley runs an atypical Twilight site, despite its name: Twilog: Yet another Twilight blog. What makes her blog so unique? Well, for starters, her boyfriend helped her create the site and also helps her write the content from time to time. In an otherwise 99.9% female-populated fandom, this is practically unheard of.  Something else that helps Twilog stand out is Whitley's own personality, which rings loud and clear in such posts as Robsten "Proof": Take Three! and Taylor Lautner Should Wear a Track Outfit All the Time... It's therefore no surprise that Twilog Whitley should have her own rabid following. Whether you are looking for the latest news on the stars of "Twilight" or just need someone to commiserate with over Taylor Lautner's not-quite-legal-yet status, Twilog is one of the best sites out there.

Twilog Whitley shows off her "Pocket Edward"

Q. Because it needs to be asked: Team Edward or Team Jacob?
Team Edward, all the way, no question. As I was reading, I thought Jacob always seemed more of a friend to Bella, while Edward was (in capital letters) The Real Deal.  

Q. OK, now that that's out of the way, on the rest of the questions. What is your favorite moment(s) in the Twilight series?
I have so many! The first meeting in biology when Edward is so angry makes my stomach flip every time I read it. I cried buckets during THAT scene in the begining of New Moon and also when I turned the page to see the months listed. I cried happy tears for nearly the entire first book of Breaking Dawn. It's pretty safe to say I found favorite parts in each of the books.   One major thing I loved about the entire series is that when someone is reading it, the way it is written makes the reader feel as if the story is actually happening to them. I am a voracious reader of all types of books, and reading Twilight was the first time I ever felt that so strongly.

Q. What is your favorite book in the Twilight Saga and why?

I'm going to have to go to with Twilight. It's about the way that first love makes you feel and how life changing that can be. Plus, it's pretty much all about Edward, and that is all the reason I need to love it!

Q. If you could ask any question of Stephenie Meyer, what would it be?

This will probably be a popular answer, but I NEED some info on Midnight Sun! I can't even bring myself to read the all of the manuscript she has on her website because I don't want to actually finish everything Twilight related that Stephenie has written. I understand her reasons for not continuing it (and I would sure love to get my hands on whoever leaked it), but I just want to know that all of us will be able to get our hands on the finished product someday. .

Q. Of all of the vampire abilities, which would you like to possess and why?

I defintely think that reading minds like Edward can would be awesome. Being able to know what those around you were thinking would be helpful in so many situations. Another thing I think would be great is the not needing sleep thing. Some days I feel like there isn't enough time to do all the things I need to do, and I really hate having to break for rest.

Q. Name three words that describe you.

Shy, attentive, and caring.


Q. What inspired you to create your own Twilight site?

The whole site was actually (my boyfriend) Jeremy's idea. He is very good with computers and he made me a quick template for a blog one morning while I sat on the couch watching tv, totally oblvious to what he was doing. He surprised me with it later that day and I was wondering why I hadn't thought of it before!   I think he wanted me to have an outlet for all my Twilight-related thoughts and feelings (and I do have a lot) and he was probably hoping I could find some like-minded people to vent with so I could stop bothering him (I don't think having a blog has cut back on that though...oops!)   I try to post at least once a day, and I'm really glad I stuck with it because this is the most fun I've ever had being a part of a fandom, and I have found some really great friends among all the Twilight fans and bloggers out there. They make me laugh every day!


Q. What advice do you have for those who want to create their own Twilight site/blog?

My advice is to branch outside of your own blog and see what else people are saying about the same issue you just wrote about. Many times they might pick up on something you hadn't noticed before and they were probably funnier about it too! This is very time consuming too, so don't neglect your household chores like I seem to do more often since I started this blog.  

Q. What are the pros and cons of being a Twilight fan over the age of 13?
Cons:   

1. Some people think you are weird. Really. When my best friend and I went to the midnight release of the Twilight DVD, we had some parents there asking us, "Why did you even read these books in the first place? You're not bothered by being so much older?" Uh well, I wasn't until now, so thanks! (I didn't know until then that 20 was too old for anything!) All of the people asking the questions hadn't read the books, so I could understand their puzzlement because I was the same way before I gave in and read them myself.  

2. You can feel a little silly going into Hot Topic every other week to check out the new merch. I thought I was past the age of frequently shopping at a place that sells neon green tutus.  

3. I can't discuss how attractive Taylor Lautner is without looking like a creeper. February can't get here fast enough.  

4. I have a dilema on what to do with all my Twilight posters. I'm way too old to actually hang them in my adult apartment, but I just can't NOT do it either. That would be wasting.  

Pros

1. I actually have a pretty good idea of what really went on at Isle Esme.

2. Having unlimited computer access and being able to spend however long I want on Twilight blogs and websites is a big plus when it comes to looking for things to write about.  

3. Not having to ask anyone's permission to get all the Twilight merch you want.  

4. Being able to actually see the deeper themes in each of the books and understand that these are more than just "vampire books".  

5. I'm only two years younger than Robert Pattinson, and that to me signifies that I have a chance with him. He's more likely to date me than a 13 year old, right?  

6. On a similar note, I'm able to show my Twi-hard excitement better than some of the younger fans out there. I would never claw myself until I bled and try to approach Robert Pattinson. I would never think it's ok to ignore his personal space and throw my arms around his neck while I screamed and cried. Having some wisdom that a little age brings, I know that kind of behavior is Not. Okay.  

Q. Do you feel that the advertising campaign for the Twilight books and films adequately represents the older fan-base? Why or why not?

At the beginning, I think that was a big NO. I don't think anyone really realized the variety in ages of Twilight fans until the first movie was released and the numbers spoke to that fact. I'm interested to see as time goes on how they market to us older ladies (shirtless Edward poster in Italy, please? I'm keeping my fingers crossed on that one).