24 because she felt she had no chance of becoming a writer; she later noted
that the birth of her oldest son Gabe changed her mind. Before becoming an author, Stephenie Meyers only professional work was as a receptionist
in a property company. She currently lives in Cave Creek, Arizona, and also owns a home on Marrowstone Island, Washington.
Stephenie Meyer said that the idea for Twilight came to her in a dream on June 2, 2003. The dream was about a human girl and a vampire who
was in love with her but thirsted for her blood. Based on this dream, Stephenie Meyer wrote the transcript of what is now Chapter 13 of the
book. In three months, she had transformed her dream into a completed novel, though she claims that she never intended to publish Twilight and
was writing for her own enjoyment. Her sisters response towards the book was enthusiastic and she persuaded Meyer to send the manuscript to
literary agencies. Of the 15 letters she wrote, five went unanswered, nine brought rejections, and the last was a positive response from Jodi Reamer
of Writers House. Eight publishers competed for the rights to publish Twilight in a 2003 auction. By November, Stephenie Meyer had signed a
750,000 three-book deal with Little, Brown and Company. Stephenie Meyer acknowledges that her faith has influenced her work.
In particular, she says that her characters “tend to think more about where they came from, and where they are going, than might be typical.
Stephenie Meyer also steers her work from subjects such as sex, despite the romantic nature of the novels. She said that she did not consciously
25 intend her novels to be Mormon-influenced, or to promote the virtues of
sexual abstinence and spiritual purity, but admitted that her writing was shaped by her values. She said that she did not think her books would be
really graphic or dark because of who she was. She said that there would always be a lot of light in her stories.
2. The Review of Mormonism
The review of Mormonism is provided to see Stephenie Meyer’s religious background since it may have influenced her writing. The review
was taken from http:en.wikipedia.orgwikiMormonism. The term Mormonism derived from the Book of Mormon, the faiths earliest
religious text along with the Bible. Based on the name of that book, early followers of founder Joseph Smith, Jr. were called Mormons, and their
faith was called Mormonism. Mormon theology is a form of restorationism that shares a common set
of beliefs with the rest of the Latter Day Saint movement, including use of the Bible, as well as other religious texts including the Book of Mormon
and Doctrine and Covenants. It differs from other Latter Day Saint movement traditions in that it also accepts the Pearl of Great Price as part
of its canon, and it has a history of teaching eternal marriage, eternal progression, and plural marriage although the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints had abandoned the practice by the early 20th century. Cultural Mormonism includes a lifestyle promoted by the Mormon
26 institutions, and includes cultural Mormons who identify with the culture,
but not necessarily the theology. Mormons believe that the church founded by Joseph Smith in 1830
was a literal restoration of primitive Christianity, restored and led by modern prophets including Joseph Smith, Jr. and Brigham Young. Thus,
Mormonism classifies itself within Christianity. Mormons believe that after a time the Church as established by the Lord fell into spiritual decay.
http:www.bbc.co.ukreligionreligionsmormonsocialvaluesethics_1. shtml
is one of websites that discuss Mormonism and its doctrine. It is the BBC’s official website. In the website previously mentioned, it is clearly
stated that Mormons believe that it is important to lead their lives in a way that is pleasing to God. There is a doctrine of Mormonism that control a
Mormon’s ethical behavior. This doctrine is divided into three parts, namely Ethics, Sexual Ethics, and Medical and Life Ethics.
Ethics deal with honesty, alcohol, tobacco, tea, coffee and drugs, gambling, language, and occult practices. Sexual Ethics range on
relationships, contraception and birth control, homosexuality, pornography, and polygamy. Mormons believe that sexual desires should
only be satisfied in heterosexual marriage. Sex is not only for having children but as an expression of a couples unity. Sex outside marriage is
banned, and this includes any sexual relations before marriage and necking or petting. Sexual perversions are banned, and so is masturbation. Medical
