OUCH! In a new interview with USA Today, Stephen King was asked about his thoughts on the writing talents of J.K. Rowling (who created the amazing Harry Potter series of books) and Stephenie Meyer (who created the Twilight Saga that is all the rage with the tweens these days) and he had some very nice things to say about Rowling. When he gave his opinion of Meyer, well, I think it’s best if I just let him speak for himself:
Stephen King’s opinion may drive a stake through the heart of “Twilight” author Stephenie Meyer. In an interview with USA Weekend, the bestselling author compared Meyer with J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series. According to Stephen, “Both Rowling and Meyer, they’re speaking directly to young people… The real difference is that Jo Rowling is a terrific writer and Stephenie Meyer can’t write worth a darn. She’s not very good.” Meeooww! While Stephen may not be a fan of Stephenie’s writing, he understands the appeal of the series. “People are attracted by the stories, by the pace, and in the case of Stephenie Meyer, it’s very clear that she’s writing to a whole generation of girls and opening up kind of a safe joining of love and sex in those books. It’s exciting and it’s thrilling and it’s not particularly threatening because it’s not overtly sexual.” He further explains, “A lot of the physical side of it is conveyed in things like, the vampire will touch her forearm or run a hand over skin, and she just flushes all hot and cold. And for girls, that’s a shorthand for all the feelings that they’re not ready to deal with yet.”
To be fair, King also states that author Dean Koontz is “sometimes … just awful” and that author James Patterson “is a terrible writer” … so it’s not just Stephenie Meyer that he is not too fond of. To be completely honest, I see his point. Having read the entire Twilight Saga, I also do not feel that Meyer is a particularly good writer … even tho she is able to capture the imagination of millions. Rowling, on the other hand, is an absolute master storyteller and is, IMHO, a brilliant author. They’re just very different … and both very entertaining writers. I have always respected Stephen King for his brutal honesty … he may not always have the most popular thing to say but, at least you know he’s being honest. If I can interject my own opinion on Stephen King‘s writing … over all, I’m a fan. I’ve enjoyed way more books of his than I’ve not enjoyed — but there have been those books of his that are absolutely terrible. They can’t all be gems … and to each their own. I’m sure some Meyer fans are bound to give King flak for his comments but I ain’t mad at him. He’s merely giving his opinion … which may resonate with some and clash with others.
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This is rather coincidental because the entire middle school and high school body in my school (in Egypt; I’m 15, 10th grade) is obsessed with the Twilight Series and I was just having a discussion about it a few minutes ago. I found the argument at different angles:
Stephen King: I enjoy his writing simply because I like the stories he tells and I believe he has a way with words (with most stories, not all, as you’ve said) and he isn’t afraid to skirt around the details. That can be seen in the way he speaks. He directly stated his opinion very bluntly, insult or not. The way he writes reflects on his bluntness. He just *isn’t* afraid to be hated.
I, personally, did not enjoy Stephenie Meyer’s writing, but I thought to myself “Why does everyone else in my grade enjoy the book?!” It’s because they’re looking for a good, romantic story that they can finish easily. The human population has resorted to technology and sometimes, books are completely overlooked. Barely anyone has time anymore to look for the “deep, hidden meaning” behind stories and authors are becomming less and less appreciated for the things they do. The population wants a story they can get through quickly without having to stop and dwell on confusing matters that they have to think about. “Did he mean this when he said that? What if I go back and reread chapter 12 . . .?”
Stephenie Meyer creates a story where no one needs to reread to understand. She puts everything in plain view and despite that not being very author-istic, the general public enjoys it. And girls enjoy it even more because Edward Cullen fulfills their dreams of the “perfect man”.
Stephen King isn’t right, but he isn’t wrong, either. He is a man that is not afraid of what he says or does and does not bend his writing specifically to appeal to the general public. Stephenie Meyer may be the worst of writers or the best of writers, but she knows how to appeal to the general public and therefore rides her writing style along its current.
I, for one, have a lot of time on my hands (as you can tell because I took the time to reply) and so I prefer Stephen King’s writing over Stephenie Meyer.
(JK Rowling’s writing is arguable as well. The storyline is appealing to the general public and the way she tells it is acceptable. There isn’t as much thinking involved as Stephen King’s writing, but much more than Stephenie Meyer’s. Another good thing about her writing is that she, later on, will finish the thinking you’ve needed to do in her Harry Potter series [i.e. explaining clues that were found, why they were found, etc] whereas Stephen King is for a higher level of readers. He expects you to make assumptions and make the right one.)
While I really enjoyed reading the Twilight books I have to somewhat agree with Stephen King about Stephanie Meyer. She, in no way, can compare to J.K Rowling who is an amazing writer. But at the same time I don’t think Meyer is “terrible”…she’s knows who’s gonna buy this book and enjoy it, and it’s mostly young teenagers who want to read about teen angst and sappy relationships…and the book worked. So regardless of what Stephen King says, she’s gotta whole lotta fans and a whole lotta money, I’m pretty sure she wins.
Meyer sucks balls. Anyone can write a novel but that doesnt mean it will be any good…exactly the case with the Twighlight series. I think I got through one chapter of Twighlight before I realized that it was an overrated piece of crap. Truly. Jk Rowling on the other hand has an enormous amount of talent
I totally agree with you Trent. And Stephen King. Harry Potter FTW
Although she may not be the best writer, you have to give her credit for telling a story that has kept millions of people on the edge of their seats.
Sure, it could have been written better. But the series was mainly in Bella’s perspective – do you honestly think Bella sounded like one who would have a huge vocabulary and fantastic grammatical skills?
As far as I’m concerned, the writing is perfectly suitable for Bella’s character.
@ love88 – I agree with everything you’ve said. “sparkling fang-less vampires” LOL!!! Sad, indeed.
well said Reham A!!
I gotta agree with Stephen King. I read the Twilight saga, and only liked the first book. The other were just ehhhh. But Harry Potter is a classic, its well written and has a truly amazing plot. I will always be rereading the HP series, and I can’t say the same for Twilight.
argh!!! If I hear one more person compare Twilight to Harry Potter…I’m gonna scream!!! They are nothing alike, apart from being “fantasy” type books!!! And as for that person that said they saw the Twilight movie before they read the books…there you go, you ruined it for yourself right there…the books run rings around the movie!!!
I totally agree with King (and everything he said about the all the authors he picked on), who is an absolutely fabulous writer that I just rediscovered recently. These days I like him for the way he builds his characters and not only for the “fast thrills” back in the day when I read his books for the first time when I was a teen.
The first Twilight book was ok, but couldn’t get past the first half of the second (I even bought the audiobook as well and got stuck around the same page)…it just bored me so much. JKR storytelling is just so much better…the way she manages to captivate an audience of all ages is beyond compare.
I get what Stephen is saying, but I have all of Stephanie’s books, in hardback, and still coulnd’t resist the limited Edition Twilight. I’m 33 and a Network Admin, her writing has sincere emotion in it that an adult can enjoy. My only complaint is that she hasn’t finished Midnight Sun yet.