I first learned about the Twilight series this summer. I read an article about how this series was even more popular than the Harry Potter books amongst teenage girls.

Well, as a fiction writer, I had to check that out. So on the Saturday before I was leaving on vacation, I went to the bookstore and bought Twilight (which is the first one in the series) and another book. I figured reading the first one would be enough — after all, it’s been a few years since I was in high school.

I started reading Twilight Saturday night. By Sunday night I was back in the bookstore buying the second two in the series. I had the second one read before I left for vacation and forced myself to wait until I was in the airport to start the third. (Needless to say, I ended up having to work part of my vacation because I got so caught up with those books.)

I’m not even going to tell you what I went through to get my hands on the fourth one.

Now, before you think I’ve got the emotional maturity of a 16-year-old, let me assure you I am not the only adult woman out there who got caught up in these books. In fact, there’s a massive online community out there called “Twilight Moms” — which, as its name suggests, was created for adult women. Not to mention I’ve given the books to my adult friends who have also devoured them.

(In case you’ve been ignoring cultural news, the Twilight series is about a teenage girl who falls in love with a vampire.)

So, what is the secret of Twilight’s success? Is it fantastic writing? Nope. The writing is perfectly good, but there are plenty of other writers who I think are better stylistically and don’t have runaway best-sellers.

Is it the characters? No. The characters are good but so are a lot of characters in novels that aren’t causing a worldwide phenomenon.

How about the plot? Nothing wrong with the plot but nothing that’s standing out either.

So what IS it about Twilight? It’s the story.

Now, just so you understand, this is the difference between plot and story. Plot is a series of events: character A goes here, goes there, gets bit by a vampire, etc. Story is what’s going on at a deeper level — it’s the emotional connection the reader has with the novel.

(Note, in case you’re thinking this also parallels features and benefits in copywriting, where features are the facts or plot and benefits is the emotions or story, you’d be right.)

So what Stephenie Meyer, the author of Twilight, has done is a bunch of things perfectly well and one thing extraordinary.

And that, my friends, is one of the points I’m trying to make.

Successful people don’t have to do everything extraordinary. In fact, I suspect that would be impossible. No, they do most things perfectly well, equal to what a lot of people are doing, and one or two things out of this world.

So what one or two things can YOU focus on and do so extraordinary it transforms you into a massive success?

The second point is about connecting emotionally with your audience. You see, Stephenie Meyer picked the right thing to be extraordinary at — the emotional connection with her readers. And if your audience, your target market, connects emotionally with what you’re selling, then not only will you have an easier time selling to them, you’ll also be in a position to create a tight bond with them.

(And for all you guys out there, yes I think it would be worth your while to take a look at the book. And don’t be surprised if you find yourself buying the series and reading it over a weekend.)