You know how they say time flies when you're having fun? We agree, and we're pretty sure it flies with big black leathery vampire-bat wings. You know what we're getting at? Yeah, we thought so. Twilight opens in just over two weeks in all its pale-skinned, golden-eyed, bloodlusty glory, and we're trying to be prepared, people. That's why we're saying, the time to put pen to paper and bang out your story is N-O-W. Are you writing about your experience of serving as FRESH MEAT or your (presumably) fictional VAMP DATE?

A quick refresh sesh:



In Twilight, as you may know, a girl named Bella Swan moved from Phoenix, Arizona — where she was sort of lonely and not-so-popular — to small-town Washington state, where she becomes an overnight sensation at her new school, receiving so much attention she struggles to handle it. (To say nothing of the fact that she eventually falls in a love with a, um, vampire.)

So we've got not one but two assignments for you to pick from (yes, you can do both if you want. Sigh.). Check it:

1. With the exception of the bloodlust, we think Bella's story is somewhat universal. So what we're wondering is, hasn't anyone else wrestled with the trauma — psychological or otherwise — of moving to a new town, a new school, or a new life? We'd really like to hear your story, in your own words. Write the compelling — but true — account of your own trial or tribulation when you re-located (Did you find new friends or lose old ones? Did you find your identity? Or lose it?). We know truth can be stranger than Stephenie Meyer-penned fiction.

2. If you can deal with their erratic hours, we're pretty sure vampires make for fun dates. (Also, you want to make sure they feed BEFORE the evening starts). Ever thought about what it might be like to spend one magical -- or, you know, eternally damned -- evening with a member of the vampire persuasion? Write the most dazzling short fiction you can that involves you and a single date with a vampire. (Do they they offer you a particularly rare cut of steak? Do they choke on your garlic breath? Do they sprout bat wings and fly you to Vegas? Do they show you the inside of a coffin? Yeah, let's keep it PG-13 or lighter, please.) We have a feeling you have some ideas.

We have to say, the submissions we've seen so far have been A. MAZ. ING. Colorful, delicious, beautifully heart-wrenching and in some cases, straight-up sizzling. But just like a vamp in the Sahara, we are HUNGRY for more. So tonight's the night, peeps. Hit us.

The specs:

• Please keep your piece to 800 words or less.
• Please email all submissions to buzznet.hearts.twilight@gmail.com by 5:00pm Pacific time on Nov. 7. That's TOMORROW -- YA HEARD?!?!?
  
• Please state in the subject line whether you’re writing about being FRESH MEAT or going on a VAMP DATE, and your Buzznet username.

We're going to be spotlighting the most intriguing, provocative pieces soon -- ain't going to say exactly when, but it'll unfortunately be well before any of us hear an album from Rrpattz. Now hit SEND.