"I woke up from a dream where I was in a meadow and this really beautiful boy was there. I could see him really clearly. He was sparkling in the sunlight and I realized he was a vampire, and I was so in love with him. I just woke up with this feeling of, 'Wow, I have to write this down.' So I did."
Meyer has also mentioned that she was inspired by the idea of a "forbidden love" story, specifically between a human and a vampire. She was drawn to the conflict and tension that such a relationship would create, and she wanted to explore the complexities of both sides of the equation.
However, it's important to note that the idea of a vampire falling in love with a human is not entirely original. There are many similar stories in popular culture, including Anne Rice's *Interview with the Vampire* and the *Buffy the Vampire Slayer* TV series.
Meyer's unique contribution to the genre was her focus on the female protagonist's perspective and the romantic elements of the story. She also created a compelling world with its own unique mythology and rules for vampires.
Ultimately, the success of *Twilight* can be attributed to a combination of factors, including Meyer's vivid imagination, her ability to create relatable characters, and her skillful storytelling.