Stephen King "blasts" Twilight author, Stephanie Meyers

[xoprincessmomxo]

I'm sorry, I have to agree with Stephen King on this. Technically, Meyer is just not a great writer. I used to teach middle school and when I read it, I thought this is something my students could have written.

Does that mean she's not a good storyteller? No. Does it mean her books aren't appealing to many people? No, not at all.

I think what King meant is that her style just isn't all that fantastic. Obviously a lot of people love the books, but I think it's for the plot, not for mastery of the written language.

I was thinking of buying the first Twilight book, but now I really don't think I would enjoy it. My DH tried to make me read an Anne Rice novel, and I just couldn't do it. My creative writing teacher kept creeping into my head saying "she's telling...not showing you the action."

 

[Cool-Beans]

Is this article for real?

It is so poorly written I can hardly believe it. I cannot believe it was published anywhere.

Thank you. I couldn't finish it, but had to laugh at the irony of how poorly written that was.

Not to mention Stephen King blasting anyone for not writing well enough. It isn't like he's turned out anything meaningful. Some of his books are good enough insofar as suspense/horror/gore goes (and some aren't), but they're not great literature, that's for sure.

Did he really get up on a literary soapbox?

Those Twilight books are crap, crap, crap. Stick them in the library with the Jackie Collins and romance novels. And stick Stephen King on the shelf above them.

 

[audrabolster]

Can't say I blame him. She needs to be flogged for book 4. It was so awful.

yes.

The books are average. I've read them and yes they are suspenseful. But really? How many times can you use the word chagrin?

 

[jamimb]

But they should be stronger than Bella, especially in a book geared for young girls. I'm not done with the series yet, but I hated the way she dumped her friends, her family, and even her own future because she's obsessed with her boyfriend, and the way she used Jacob when Edward was gone for most of New Moon. She wasn't written well.

I never get the argument that Bella is not strong. Does she make some stupid teenage mistakes? Sure but I think she is a very good role model for young girls in some ways. Her selflessness when she moved to Forks (a place she hated by the way) so that her mother could travel with her step father for instance. Or how she took care of Charlie (when does that really happen in the real world) instead of just being totally wrapped up in herself! Her Bravery in trying to save her mother's life and Edward's in New Moon. Her kindness to others was a breez of fresh air when alot of teenage girls are just plain mean. Sure there are some things about her I don't like but I would say as a whole she is wonderful!

Oh yeah sorry to get off topic!

 

[Caribbeanprincess]

I think the quality of the writing is just as important as the story. I'm reading a Dean Koontz novel right now, and I can't get through it. I like his plots, but not his writing. It's painful. I have a BA in English - maybe that has something to do with it?

I'm studying for my BA in English Lit and I still enjoy these books. To me being a good storyteller is a million times more important than having perfect or wonderful writing.

True, but I think it depends upon who is the one reviewing. For example, a person who's studied art his or her entire life would be better qualified to give his impression of a piece of art than, let's say, me. If I'm deciding what movie to see, I will take the advice of a movie critic over the advice of my dd12 (who loved Twilight, of course).

Or you could take no one's advice but your own. Seriously, the only one who can decide whether or not you'll like something is yourself.

 

[Arielx2]

I was thinking of buying the first Twilight book, but now I really don't think I would enjoy it. My DH tried to make me read an Anne Rice novel, and I just couldn't do it. My creative writing teacher kept creeping into my head saying "she's telling...not showing you the action."

I loved the first book and pretty much hated the rest. Mostly because I saw what could have been and was VERY disappointed.

 

[disneegrl4eva]

you all are really ridiculous....if you dont like the books or the movies that is fine but do NOT condone bashing....

AND I QUOTE:
"After graduating from college in 1970, King taught English at a high school in Maine and added to his income by holding a number of part-time jobs and by writing short stories for several popular magazines. He did not receive much money from the sale of his stories. Sometimes he was not paid at all but was given extra copies of the magazine to show or sell to other people."

the first novel he wrote that made a huge success was in 1974 when his book Carrie was written...

Stephenie Meyer wrote Twilight (her FIRST book) in 2005 and the final in the series in 2008...Steven King only dreamed about the kind of popularity SM received in just a couple of years...

which goes to show you that it is nothing but plain jealousy on Steven King's part that prompted him to state his opinions...and that is what they are..and thats all Im going to say on this subject...

find something else to talk about like oh world peace, hunger, the pope, the president, twilight??????

 

[Fintastic]

What bothers me about Bella is that she's just dull as dirt! She basically sits around for four books and does nothing. I really just don't buy Edward being so fascinated by her. I even read "Midnight Sun" and Bella was even more boring in that one. She's just a very uninteresting character.

 

[Caribbeanprincess]

What bothers me about Bella is that she's just dull as dirt! She basically sits around for four books and does nothing. I really just don't buy Edward being so fascinated by her. I even read "Midnight Sun" and Bella was even more boring in that one. She's just a very uninteresting character.

Does nothing? Really? She is being chased around by people who want to kill her or harm her all through the books, and she's always doing something either with Edward, Jacob, her father or friends. I don't think there's a moment she's just doing 'nothing'. Sure, she doesn't go out and party or anything like that, but she lives in FORKS, the place in composed of a few streets. She maybe different from your typical teenager, but heck, I think I go out less than her and I'm a college student. I guess that makes me an even bigger borefest.

 

[Arielx2]

What bothers me about Bella is that she's just dull as dirt! She basically sits around for four books and does nothing. I really just don't buy Edward being so fascinated by her. I even read "Midnight Sun" and Bella was even more boring in that one. She's just a very uninteresting character.

The character I hate is Jacob. And I hate Bellas worship of Jacob. Give me more Cullens like in Midnight Sun. Those are interesting characters-or could have been.

 

[Arielx2]

you all are really ridiculous....if you dont like the books or the movies that is fine but do NOT condone bashing....

AND I QUOTE:
"After graduating from college in 1970, King taught English at a high school in Maine and added to his income by holding a number of part-time jobs and by writing short stories for several popular magazines. He did not receive much money from the sale of his stories. Sometimes he was not paid at all but was given extra copies of the magazine to show or sell to other people."

the first novel he wrote that made a huge success was in 1974 when his book Carrie was written...

Stephenie Meyer wrote Twilight (her FIRST book) in 2005 and the final in the series in 2008...Steven King only dreamed about the kind of popularity SM received in just a couple of years...

which goes to show you that it is nothing but plain jealousy on Steven King's part that prompted him to state his opinions...and that is what they are..and thats all Im going to say on this subject...

find something else to talk about like oh world peace, hunger, the pope, the president, twilight??????

Then why isn't he bashing J.K. Rowling?

 

[Planogirl]

Stephen King jealous? Oh please.... I can understand the argument that maybe he shouldn't have stated his opinion so strongly when asked but what in the world would he be jealous about?

As for who is or isn't a good writer, that's strictly subjective just like which movie is good or whether McDonald's makes good burgers or whether some restaurant at WDW is good or bad. That doesn't make anyone wrong or right, it's just an opinion.

 

[Saxsoon]

Dean Koontz is amazing, however he does recycle stuff about Gov. Coverups, Fugues (the main character either has one or thinks they did) Genetic Manipulation, etc. But still great books.

Ted Dekker can weave a yarn, and the writing is easy, if not a little to much so, but that is improving as of late. He is easily the best storyteller that I have read.

Douglas Preston/ Lincoln Child also have made awesome collaborations together.


Meyer's books are not my type and I refuse to read them.

 

[Fintastic]

Does nothing? Really? She is being chased around by people who want to kill her or harm her all through the books, and she's always doing something either with Edward, Jacob, her father or friends. I don't think there's a moment she's just doing 'nothing'. Sure, she doesn't go out and party or anything like that, but she lives in FORKS, the place in composed of a few streets. She maybe different from your typical teenager, but heck, I think I go out less than her and I'm a college student. I guess that makes me an even bigger borefest.

But she just isn't very interesting. She spends all her time moping after Edward. She's not witty, she's not charming, she just falls down a lot and doesn't say much, especially in the beginning. If that's realistic, fine, but I still don't see what Edward sees in her.

 

[Lintasare]

Does nothing? Really? She is being chased around by people who want to kill her or harm her all through the books, and she's always doing something either with Edward, Jacob, her father or friends. I don't think there's a moment she's just doing 'nothing'. Sure, she doesn't go out and party or anything like that, but she lives in FORKS, the place in composed of a few streets. She maybe different from your typical teenager, but heck, I think I go out less than her and I'm a college student. I guess that makes me an even bigger borefest.

Everyone interprets what they read in different ways. I found Bella to be whiny, clingy, needy and dull. Plus the plot itself isn't very original. There are so many more original vampire stories out there.

Are the Twilight books good? Depends on your own personal opinion and everyone has a different opinion. I found the plot boring but the first 3 were entertaining. The 4th was rather poorly written. I've read fan fic better than the 4th book. The Host was a good read I thought but it's wasn't too original.

For vampires living in the real world and interacting with real people...I'll stick to the Sookie Stackhouse series. Now there is a good read.

Is SK jealous of SM? Nope I don't think so. The Stand is probably one of the best books I have ever read. Scary as all heck but a great book.

 

[dipin]

I get it that people dont like it when someone criticizes their favorite author/book/whatever.

But some people here need to take a step back, breathe, and relax. It is not like King went on some sort of campaign against the twilight series. In a relatively harmless interview someone asked him about it and he stated his opinion. And an opinion that was based not on some unreasonable standard, but on a clearly articulated reasoning (i.e., the books are clearly written with a preteen audience in mind, not a broad audience). You can disagree with him all you want, but it is his opinion. And for those who said he shouldnt have said anything at all, well, I think it is much better that he criticized it and explained why than if he just refused to answer it.

To act as if he was taking a cheap shot, or trying to get 15 minutes of fame off of this is ludicrous. That series wasnt even the main topic of the interview.

Regarding jealousy as a motive: why did he praise JK Rowling then, considering how much more succesful her books are than the twilight series? Heck, of the two being discussed, JK Rowling is the one who sold more than King.

In any case, the author of the twilight series only has about 300 million books to sell before she catches up to king, and another 50 to catch up to JK rowling. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but it just makes the whole jealousy comment seem a bit out of place.

 

[Soarin08]

This link has better writing, and a little humor!

http://www.beyondhollywood.com/stephen-king-says-stephenie-meyer-sucks-kinda-likes-jk-rowling/

I agree with King- Meyer can't write. Twilight was awful King is the finest author of our day, in my opinion (second is Ms. Rowling, of course).

 

[Planogirl]

I found this top ten list as of last year on getlisty.com:

Agatha Christie (3 billion)
J. K. Rowling (300 million)
Stephen King (300 million)
Nora Roberts (250 million)
J. R. R. Tolkien (200 million)
C. S. Lewis (150 million)
John Grisham (100 million)
James Patterson (100 million)
Tom Clancy (80 million)
Dan Brown (number not included)

Assuming that this is correct, how will anyone ever catch Agatha Christie? Wow.

 

[Lintasare]

I found this top ten list as of last year on getlisty.com:

Agatha Christie (3 billion)
J. K. Rowling (300 million)
Stephen King (300 million)
Nora Roberts (250 million)
J. R. R. Tolkien (200 million)
C. S. Lewis (150 million)
John Grisham (100 million)
James Patterson (100 million)
Tom Clancy (80 million)
Dan Brown (number not included)

Assuming that this is correct, how will anyone ever catch Agatha Christie? Wow.

And I have read or own books by most of these authors. Never read anything by Nora Roberts or James Patterson.

I would say of the list my favorites are Tolkien, Lewis and Rowling.

 

[Cindy B]

I couldn't even read the original link... it was so poorly written!

It is hard to compare King to Myer. King has had over 30 years of experience in writing Myer's writing is more "child" focused whereas King's are not.

It all depends on reader preference and style.

Remember Stephen King has written more than just "horror-style" novels. He has written books on writing topics. I actually had a King book On Writing as one of my college textbooks. That book had great ideas on writing, the writing process, how to deal with rejection and getting started as a writer.

I think Myer's writing is more "immature" but it is written for a younger audience. To me it seems a bit dumbed down, however I enjoy King's books.

I took a long break from King, but I really did enjoy Duma Key. My favorite still remains to be The Dead Zone.