I want Breaking Dawn Now

One week, and one hour until it's in my hand and I'm sitting here on this couch with the final book of the Twilight Saga.

I have my outfit for the release party, I've paid for my book, I even have a mask for the masquerade ball at my local bookstore. What I don't have is the book.

It's like Harry Potter all over again, except that this time, I found out about all of this after the hype. I discovered Harry when I was in elementary school, before the craze hit. I watched it get insane, watched it gather this giant following. I talked my mom into ordering the third book from amazon.co.uk because it was published in England first. I watched midnight releases come into being.

What I loved about the Potter craze was the speculation. I loved going online and being a part of the theory swapping and everything else that sprung from the uncertainty of it all. In a way Deathly Hallows ended something amazing.

The books stand on their own, however, and they will always be a part of my childhood. I owe JK Rowling a lot. She inspired me, made me know that writing was something I wanted to do with my life. Her books were the first fantasy books I really liked (and I still don't care for high fantasy) and they opened entire worlds for me both in terms of writing and reading.

I wish I'd had more time to speculate with Twilight. I only discovered the series this summer when I saw a movie poster that intrigued me. On my next trip to the bookstore, I read the prologue and part of the first chapter. I was hooked, and I NEEDED more. I bought the first book in hardcover, because I knew it was going to be great. A day and a half later, I was back, buying New Moon and Eclipse (Special Edition).

The series captivated me, and quickly became some of my favorite books ever. I had to ask myself why. The answer is simple: the characters. I love Edward, and care about Bella. I want Jacob to be happy, even though I want Edward to get the girl. The entire Cullen family quickly became like old friends.

Harry Potter, on the other hand, hooked me with the magical world Rowling invented for her stories. Her characters are amazing too, of course, but that first hook was all about the setting and the creativity involved in it all.

I want to develop both aspects of my own creativity, though I doubt I will ever have the command of the craft that Myer or Rowling have. But, all I can do is try.