10 Steps to Make Edward Cullen Fall in Love with You...and Don't Die Trying!!

“Don’t be self-conscious,” he whispered in my ear. “If I could dream at all, it would be about you. And I’m not ashamed of it.”

It's not easy being Edward Cullen...

A couple of weeks ago I bought on MercadoLibre (my online shop of choice :P) the physical edition of Midnight Sun, a book by Stephanie Meyer, the author of the Twilight universe. For thoese of you who don't know… or barely know the characters, this novel tells the story of the first volume of the saga, but…from the perspective of Edward Cullen, “the sexy teenage vampire” who continues to steal hearts... I decided to buy it on the first of February, just when I was encouraged to participate in this writing challenge. The “BIG” reason why I'm doing it?…I saw the image of Edward on the cover and I couldn't resist, hehe…

For the creation of this article I saw more than necessary to acquire that book! especially because the author already gained “more experience” in writing, therefore we readers can understand even more the thoughts, emotions and inner conflicts of Edward while he was interacting with Bella Swan in the first installment, without feeling that we are reading a story with little development, which ends up being equal or worse than any other teen novel we find on Wattpad!

Now I understood even more that conflict between his love for his sweet Bella and the danger he poses to her because of his vampiric nature, and, adding that Cullen family can also be deadly to his girlfriend…We learn that he was not as “paranoid“ as Isabella believed him to be, but rather cautious and realistic. He himself visualises how he could murder her in the classroom because this little girl's blood, his «La tua cantante» "sings to him" (only to him eh!)…mmm, it's like having your favourite food and not being able to eat it. Hard to take, isn't it? Well...it is. Many vampires can't resist the temptation. He…out of thousands who come across this type of human, is the most resistant.

And for those of you who are Cullen fans (like me, hehe ;⁠-⁠)), yessss, the book gives us more information about his family, as well as showing us how Edward and other characters (because he's a mind reader, duh) perceive the events that transpire in Twilight.

After finishing it, I see Edward in a whole new way!… even with a 100% more “poetic” nuance than I already perceived him in the movies. But I also ended up feeling triple the sympathy for him... I mean, imagine having to go to high school over and over again, for decades!, despite having attended university multiple times. He even holds two graduate degrees in medicine and has studied countless subjects. On top of that, you're 104 years old and more knowledgeable than any college professor, and yet you're forced to repeat the same routine. As he narrates in the first chapter:

"This was the time of day when I most wanted to be able to sleep. High school. Or would it be more appropriate to use the term "purgatory"? If there was any way to purge my sins, this had to count for something..."....

BUT WORST OF ALL?? is his gift...he can't help but hear the thoughts of the people around him. Their voices, their mental images...everything enters his head without his permission...The only way to get some peace is to get as far away as possible from any living being, be it human, vampire or werewolf. A real nightmare. Now, add to that the torture of attending high school forever, listening to the thoughts of hormonal teenagers and unenthusiastic teachers…

I almost forgot to mention that…luckily, Netflix is making a series of this book! I still don’t know exactly the release date…but the only thing I remember having read is that it will be animated :)

Too "disturbing" to be considered romantic?

I want to rescue a very funny comment Rob Pattinson made in an interview with Empire in 2008 that still makes us fans laugh:

"The more I read the script... the more I hated this guy... Plus, he's a total lunatic. If you take out the vampire part, he's a guy who watches a girl sleep and follows her around. How can that be considered romantic...?"

He said this sarcastically after receiving a lot of criticism for his performance…and I don't blame him. Catherine Hardwicke , the director of the first film, said in several interviews that Robert took the role so seriously that at first he played it in an overly intense and... rather disturbing way. On one occasion, she herself had to tell him:

"Rob, you look like you're about to kill her. Relax a bit”.

It seems that he wanted to play Edward with all his inner conflict, because Stephanie.M had given him and the director the first chapters of Midnight Sun, so that Rob could get even more into character, but his performance ended up looking “too dark and disturbing”… rather than romantic… Hardwicke asked him to soften his performance to make his relationship with Bella more believable and appealing to teenage audiences. …But the truth is that Pattinson had also read Twilight and had so meticulously analysed Edward with those few chapters he was given that he intended to portray him faithfully... and they wouldn't let him!…

Over the years Robert has mentioned more than once that the script could have been so much better, that so much was left undeveloped and that some characters felt disconnected. And on this point…I couldn't agree with him more!

In spite of everything, I still watch the films of the saga after so many years, although there are things that never quite convince me… there are aspects that don't make sense, details that the author overlooked, probably due to lack of experience.

And although many people believe that Pattinson hates Twilight…but he himself has denied that rumour. In fact he has said that he loves the whole saga because it is part of his life! and he also mentioned:

"Edward is a character with a lot of depth and deserves to be explored".

A couple of months ago, he even made a comment about the hatred that still exists towards the saga:

"I'm fascinated that people keep telling me, 'Dude, Twilight ruined the vampire genre.' Are they still anchored in that shit? How can something that happened almost 20 years ago make you sad? It's so crazy”.

And yes, he's right!!!

Thanks for dreaming, Stephanie

Fun fact, but necessary: Edward Cullen was born in a dream. Literally speaking… :'⁠)

On June 2, 2003, Stephanie Meyer dreamt a scene in which a human girl stood in a forest clearing talking to an incredibly beautiful vampire…He confessed to her that he loved her, but at the same time felt an uncontrollable desire for her blood…
The next day, she sat down to write, with no thought of publishing the story. Eventually the idea took shape and became “Twilight“, with Edward as the enigmatic and romantic protagonist we know. Meyer has said that his personality was inspired by various literary influences (Gilbert Blythe, Fitzwilliam Darcy, and Edward Rochester) and cinematic influences, as well as her own vision of a character that combined attractiveness, chivalry and danger…

Thus Edward Cullen was born…

Baking an article on Valentine's Day

I touch the microphone, clear my throat and look at the camera with a knowing smile.

Peliplaters! Brace yourselves because you are about to enter my fictional programme, a narrative experiment with no budget, no producers... and no limits (only my laziness..).

Look, this article had to be entertaining for you, but also for me, so I decided to take it to the next level...Hoew? Well...by thinking I'm hosting a show that nobody asked for, but that will be moderately enjoyable! (⁠^⁠^⁠)

And since I'm one of the millions of people who love this fictional character (and the actor, OBVIOUSLY) I asked myself: "What if I took inspiration from 10 Steps to Love and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days for this article..."?

So I set to baking, like the good cook that I am…Dramatic pause, gentle tap on the table Because… it's not easy being Edward Cullen. And loving him it's hard!

…And writing took me a long time…

An Eternity of Thoughts, Shadows and High School

I can't help but not feel sorry for Edward. He became a vampire at seventeen, which means that, for the rest of his existence, he will be trapped in the body of a teenager… (In New Moon, you even notice that his physique is quite thin, without much muscle mass) And for a long time, his mentality was also anchored in that age. It is not unusual for him to rebel against Carlisle (his creator) and disappear for months… even years, trying to find his place in the world.
The reality is that he never did. Edward was left all alone after his parents died during the Spanish flu, the same disease that nearly killed him… Carlisle, who worked as a doctor in the hospital where hundreds of people were dying, watched as Edward's mother, before she died, begged him to save her son. Somehow, she sensed that he was not human. So Carlisle, seeking to give him a “second chance”, turned him into a vampire…

But Edward, being the dramatist that he is… (and always was), never quite accepted this "new life". He hated what he had become.

…Eventually Carlisle transformed Esme, who would become his wife, after she tried to take her own life…Now Edward had a kind of vampire “father and mother”. But he was still lonely. Carlisle, worried about his isolation, transformed Rosalie, intending to make her his mate. And...it backfired. There was no connection between them, and they both made it clear that it would never work…
Rosalie ended up finding love in Emmett, and that only made Edward feel even more out of place. Surrounded by happy couples and without a place of his own in the world, he decided to leave again. But he always came back…

A loveless romantic for almost a century…

Nowlet's remember that Edward can read minds. He can see images and thoughts with total clarity… So, being surrounded by couples, I'm not surprised how uncomfortable he must have felt constantly hearing about love… A love he didn't have. A love that, according to him, would never come…
Eighty-seven years passed since his conversion without anyone appearing in his life in a romantic way. Between 1918 and 2005, there was no one. Sure, there were attempts…Vampires like Tanya practically threw themselves at him… but he felt absolutely nothing for them. He didn't want something superficial. Edward wanted to fall in love for real, to give himself completely to someone. He's an old-fashioned romantic. Literally…

And while he waited for that person, he hated himself. He hated what Carlisle had turned him into. He had a negative image of his own existence. He never stopped remembering the times he murdered evil men, justifying his actions as a kind of “poetic justice”(?, but never quite forgiving himself. Worst of all, he was convinced that, because he was a vampire, he had “no soul”.

But... are you willing to try to conquer him? ;)
If your answer is yes, keep reading. ←
If no, read on anyway. ←

I touch the microphone, I look at the camera with in accomplice smile…

If you want to make Edward Cullen fall in love with you and you're not Bella Swan... don't worry! Because today I bring you the DEFINITIVE guide to conquer the heart of the most melancholic and mysterious vampire in Forks…

Follow these 10 steps and you'll have Edward in the palm of your hand!. Winking at camera

Are you ready? Let's go to step number one! I point to the screen and the countdown starts. . .

1. Become the definition of "Mystery" He likes to be left wondering!…

Edward has a "little problem"...he can read everyone's mind...Bella had a natural mental shield, but since I don't know if you possess hidden superpowers, the best you can do is become "unpredictable". If he tries to decipher you and only finds chaotic thoughts about immortality…existentialist philosophy and the meaning of life…i assure you that you will drive him crazy (in a good way, don't worry). Also avoid imagining him shirtless all the time ;)…he's got enough on his teacher. "Stupid, she thought to herself, he's young enough to be my son, too young to think of him that way...".

And if all else fails… just pretend you have a mental shield and that's it, problem solved…^⁠_⁠^

2. Act as if you were born in 1901.

Edward is an old-fashioned gentleman. He doesn't like modern manners…depressing spelling or "ok" replies to long messages... If you can write him handwritten letters, talk to him about classic literature without sounding like a robot and not be afraid of prolonged eye contact, bonus points for you!! He also has a moral code worthy of the Edwardian era…he wants to get married before any intimate approach :]…because he fears his "damned soul" will drag you down to hell. Romantic or overdramatic? Judge for yourself when you have him in your bed…;)

3. Have something that intrigues him (and no, it doesn't have to be your blood).

If you don't smell like his "personal heroine" (cof cof, Bella), at least be the most fascinating person he's met in a decades. Learn a weird language… have crazy theories about the universe… or impress with unexpected abilities (? did you know Edward can play the piano heavenly? Show him that you have hidden talents too ;)... The important thing is that you're not just another "average" human, because he'd never notice a human who doesn't look out of the ordinary…

4. Don't be scared off by his daily existential crisis...

Edward spends 90% of his time debating whether he is a monster and the other 10% melancholically playing the piano. He is convinced that he is soulless and deserves eternal damnation. Instead of rolling your eyes and saying "shhh, kiss me, love", listen to him…try to make him see his worth and, if he gets too intense, a loving mental zap is never a bad thing!

5. Make him care about you (without throwing yourself off a cliff).

Edward likes to protect, it's almost his vampiric hunter instinct reprogrammed for love. I'm not saying you should jump off a cliff like Bella just to get him to come running back (that's extreme)… but you can let him help you with simple things. Pretending you can't open a jar… or asking him to protect you from a giant bee can work. The important thing is that he feels he cares for you without you actually being in mortal danger.

6. Shares his love of music

Not only does Edward play the piano like a fallen angel…but he has an impressive music collection. If you love classical music, know how to play an instrument or can at least pretend to enjoy listening to Chopin on loop, you've got a head start. Although in Stephanie Meyer said that Edward likes music with a lot of synth, so he's more likely to listen to Minimalist Synth, Synth Pop and/or Darkwave....

7. Be strong and independent (but let him open the door for you)

Edward loves women with character, but he also likes to maintain certain gentlemanly gestures. Let him open the car door for you with unnecessary drama, let him cover you with his jacket even if you're not cold, and let him make sure you eat well (even if he doesn't touch the food). But let him also know that, if he disappears one day, you'll move on without falling apart… (and without looking for werewolves as a plan B)…

9. Win over the Cullens (or at least Alice).

Edward doesn't come alone...he brings with him a family of vampires with special abilities and intense personalities ;)... Alice will probably adore you instantly and want to make you her dress-up doll! Rosalie...well, she'll hate you at first, but in time she might tolerate you. If Esme and Carlisle like you, you're already halfway there. If the Cullens accept you, Edward will have no way out >:)…

10. That he loves you because he wants you, not because he needs you.

Bella turned her existence into an "Edward or nothing"...but you don't have to do the same. Love him, yes… but without becoming an extension of his vampire identity… If he sees that you can live without him and you still decide to be by his side, it will be impossible for him not to fall at your feet (or at least not to play the piano with more passion when he thinks of you)...

I touch the microphone, look at the camera with a raised eyebrow

Follow these tips and…who knows...you might end up with a handsome, dramatic vampire with a slight tendency towards emotional selfflagellation as a boyfriend. Or...at the very least, someone who makes you feel like living to be over a hundred could be...interesting <3

Dramatic pause, I look at the camera mischievously

I move a little away from the microphone and make a "wait, wait" gesture

Hey, stop! This isn't over yet... because not everything is rosy…

Warning sound on the screen, a sign appears saying “WARNING! DANGER OF DRAMATIC ROMANCE”

If you're thinking of dating Eddy, before you get carried away with his face sculpted by angels themselves and his eternal romanticism, I approach the microphone with a conspiratorial tone consider these 10 cons of having him as a boyfriend…

Suspenseful music, lighting changes, I fold my arms earnestly

Ready? Hold on tight...here come the warnings…

1. You can never win an argument

The dude has over 100 years of debate experience…and on top of that, he's a mind reader…he'll literally know what you're going to say before you say it. Forget about winning an argument with him, unless you're Bella and have that blessed mental shield…

2. He's a professional stalker…

If you think Joe Golberg is intense...Edward watches you while you sleep. And not because he wants to, but because he doesn't sleep...Forget those private moments of snoring or talking in your sleep...he'll see everything, really, everything…

3. His existential drama is exhausting.

Every two seconds he wonders if he's a monster, if he should stay away, if he's ruining your life....

4. He's incredibly overprotective

Want to go out alone with your friends? Get ready for a 3 hour speech about how the world is dangerous…want to walk without him sticking to your shadow? No way. Edward watches you more than a security camera…

5. You can never surprise him with a gift!

What do you get someone who has lived a whole century, seen everything and can read people's minds? You can't even throw him a surprise party because he'll know before you plan it…

6. Forget about junk food

He doesn't eat, he doesn't drink, he doesn't digest anything. So be prepared to be the only person enjoying a pizza while he looks at you with a "that stuff doesn't nourish you" look on his face…

7. He might inadvertently kill you

He's a vampire, and even though he swears he has self-control, you're still technically his favourite snack…one bad day for him and one slip-up for you, and you end up as a human juicer..

8. You can't get angry without him knowing…

Not only does he read other people's minds, but his brother Jasper can sense and manipulate your emotions... so if you want to play it cool and ignore him after a fight, good luck with that…

9. You're going to get old and he's not :(

While you're worrying about wrinkle creams, Edward will keep looking like a magazine model forever…It may sound romantic, but think of the level of existential crisis you could have watching you continue to age while he stays intact…

10. Going out in the sun together is complicated…

Normal daytime dates don't exist with him. Not because he burns, but because he shines like he's been dipped in glitter… So forget about a casual day at the beach without everyone asking weird questions..

And as a last bad thing... he will only kiss you with his mouth closed!!

Epic music in the background, I lean towards the microphone

But, wait... because now comes the juicy part… I smile knowingly

Here I bring you ten reasons why dating Edward Cullen 'might' be "the best decision of your life."!!

Lights change to a warmer tone, romantic music in the background, screen with the title “10 REASONS TO CHOOSE EDWARD”

I point excitedly at the camera Ready? Because this is really going to make you sigh....

1. When Edward loves, he loves forever! No doubts, no games, just absolute devotion to the person he chooses…

2. His instinct to care for and keep his partner safe is unwavering! Although he can be overprotective at times…he always acts out of love.

3. He is not only attractive, but literally sculpted like a perfect work of art <3 His glowing skin, hypnotic eyes and charming smile… make him irresistible...

4. A century of knowledge! Edward is a partner with whom you can have deep conversations and constantly learn new things!

5. He plays the piano masterfully! and could compose pieces just for you…A date with him could include a private serenade and unforgettable musical moments…

6. He will always look young and beautiful. If you decide to become a vampire, you will share eternity with someone who will never change physically or become less attractive with age ;)

7. Edward puts his partner's happiness first, even if it means letting go… His love is not selfish; he wants the best for the person he loves…

8. The Cullens are close-knit, loyal, and welcoming to those Edward loves. You would have a group of immortal beings who would protect you and treat you as one of their own…

9. His aura of mystery makes him even more attractive…although he seems serious and distant at first…when he gives himself to love, he does so with intensity and tenderness…

10. With Edward, every moment feels like something out of a romance novel…

Breathing heavily, I fan myself with my hand

Guys...I need some water. I look up The lights in this place are burning me alive... and no, don't worry, I'm not a vampire. I smile, catch my breath

But anyway, back to the subject...

If you're looking for an eternal, protective and completely devoted love…Edward Cullen is a hard choice to beat!

I look at the camera seriously, raise an eyebrow.

That's right... He needs someone who can really handle everything he's carrying around…can you be that person? Are you ready to face the challenge of loving a vampire who's knows more than any history book?…

Dramatic silence, intriguing music in the background

Think about it... Pointing intently at camera Because if you say yes, there's no turning back!…

Strange noise at the window, I turn my head suddenly

Edward Cullen leaning out of your window

... Well, it looks like you've made your decision. I smile nervously, walk away slowly Best of luck! ;)

I settle back in my chair, take a deep breath and look at the camera with a tired smile.

Forgive me…but at this point I'm completely hallucinating, fully immersed in the role of host of this fictitious programme. I ask for your patience... it's two in the morning and, with what energy I have left, I'm trying to finish this article that took me fourteen sixteen days of pure dedication…

I run a hand over my face, sigh dramatically But well... while we're at it, let's keep going to the end…

Edward and I forever and ever?

Well... Clears throat slightly...OF COURSE YES! Who in their right mind would say NO to him? Please! But, seriously speaking... I'd think about it. Sigh Now that we know all the pros and cons of dating Edward Cullen, it gets complicated…

Look, I don't like it cold, I don't like it wet... and he's literally living ice, with skin as hard as marble. I grimace But I would analyse it calmly…I think what I like the most is the idea of him. (Yes, I'm taking this too seriously, in case he ever shows up in my room, LOL).

Plus, he's really smart. I could ask him anything and he'd know! I lean towards the camera Can you imagine never having to google anything ever again? A dream!

Oh, and not to mention his romanticism… Every word he says feels like a kiss of the purest love. <3

Anyway…I think my answer is pretty clear after mentioning so many pros... I smile Do I need to say it again?

Edward Cullen's brief venting and appreciation.

I look at the camera in disbelief.

I really have a hard time understanding how in the middle of 2025 there are still people who insist that Jacob Black would have been a better match for Bella Swan than Edward Cullen…

Please! What is wrong with you people? Did you read the saga with your eyes closed?

And look, I respect other people's opinions... deep breath but let's get to the facts.

First: Jacob was NEVER imprinted with Bella. And she herself asked him if he was. What did he answer? "You'd be the first to know".

Let's see, dude... you were chasing her for four movies, knowing that the day you actually get imprinted on someone, you're going to dump her without hesitation.

And the worst part is that he knew what Leah went through when her boyfriend got imprinted on someone else. Dramatic silence

And in contrast Edward loved Bella from the first instant. This guy literally almost got himself killed because he thought she was dead!

Isn't that enough proof of love?

Or what about the moment when Bella kissed Jacob while she was already engaged to Edward?

And yet, Eddy didn't make a fuss, didn't pick a fight, didn't do anything but let her choose. Because all he cared about was her happiness.

For God's sake, is it really still not enough?

Edward waited decades for the love of his life and when he found her, he gave her everything…

Why would they want to make him suffer more?

I look at the camera with intensity

Come to your senses, Bella and Jacob shippers…

#TeamEdwardForever

I clap my hands, exhale deeply and smile wearily.

I don't know if it's the fault of the month of February or the nightmarish heat in my country…but all this took me much longer than I thought possible…I innocently thought that in a couple of days I would have it finished, but no... it took me sixteen days. Sixteen days. And then I spent hours translating from Spanish to English. It's not easy! It's pretty hopeless, but I promise you I did my best…

Andddd…

Today I actually had a really good dream... I dreamed that I was back in high school, and the new guy who liked me was Edward Cullen. He sat in front of the blackboard and knew that I wasn’t part of that dream’s universe, encouraging me to say it in front of everyone... Sorry, but it’s intense when you dream about a fictional character. Everything felt so real, hahaha :')