Paranormal Romance & Urban Fantasy discussion

Question... is this horror master you're talking about happened to be stephen king?

Stephanie Meyer can't write. But I think SK is jealous cause her books sell more than his, and the movies of her books gross millions. He has never been able to make it in movies ---the last good one made from one of his books was 'Needful Things' IMHO, and it's kind of getting old.

It makes him look petty, and ugly, and I'm sure Stephanie Meyer could care less. Still, it's sad that she is more popular.

Anne I agree with you I think what he did was quite low. He should have kept his mouth shut even though Meyer's work was not that good. But I dont think he should feel jealous. He's work was for mature readers, he's already made a name for himself (in the literary field) He and his books would always be remembered. How many years have he been a writer? Just hearing his name, you'll already know his genre.

What about Meyer? She'll always be remembered as the one who wrote about sparkly vampires. Don't get me wrong I liked her works but in my opinion they are forgettable.

For example, right now, The peoples attentions are now focused on a new book turned movie (Hunger Games) so I have the feeling that Twilight's glory days are over...

He has slammed the books and author before. And for someone who can't write, the success just points to otherwise. Sparkly vampires aren't all that Twilight is and it went across all age lines. The Vampire Diaries by LJ Smith came ten years before Twilight and they were/are popular but never reached the success of Twilight series. And of course the Twilight big days are over because the series is finished and the movies nearly are. But it won't die. There is a reason why her books have compelled millions of young and adult people to start reading who never read before or got people back to reading and it is far more than sparkly vampires. Maybe it is an intangible but something in her writing is there.

I agree that it not just about sparkly vampire, in fact I'll admit that Twilight got me to start reading. I've never read anything before it. And for that Im thankful. I don't know, but for me the story was tiring. After I've read it the second time it made me think, "did I really like this?" I hope she writes more series in another genre. The Host being excluded.

Terry (Ter05 TwiMoms/ MundieMoms) wrote: "He has slammed the books and author before. And for someone who can't write, the success just points to otherwise. Sparkly vampires aren't all that Twilight is and it went across all age lines. ..."

You're right, King has been slamming Meyer for years now, it's about time he stopped beating that horse.

Every point he made is accurate. Although he should have added himself with Koontz. I find they both can be hit or miss, but all around are great storytellers. Patterson and Meyers are horrible writers. Props to Meyers for being a launch into PNR, but she isn't even in the class as many of the PNR writers I've read. Nalini Singh is the first to come to mind, but there are many others.

Tabitha wrote: "Every point he made is accurate. Although he should have added himself with Koontz. I find they both can be hit or miss, but all around are great storytellers. Patterson and Meyers are horrible ..."


Whether Meyer is good or bad is beside the point, and also open to individual interpretation. What I REALLY dislike is when one author feels the need to consistently put down another author. Meyer shouldn't even be on King's radar, her work is nothing like what he writes, or what he's always professed to read, so why does he feel the need to put her down over and over in interviews.

I thought that the Twilight series was decent. It was a new twist on an old tale. While they weren't the best written books in the world (and I think the movies are just a tragedy) as one of the above posters said, something in them was obviously compelling.

But, and this is a very big but, I also feel that the Twilight series was blown way out of proportion and made to seem much better than it actually is. Meyers basically hit the literary lottery.

King should have kept his trap shut. Love her or hate her, she is one of his fellow authors and it shows a decided lack of manners to trash her that way in such a public forum.

He should be careful. His envy is showing and that isn't likely to help his own sales.

Bitchie wrote: "Tabitha wrote: "Every point he made is accurate. Although he should have added himself with Koontz. I find they both can be hit or miss, but all around are great storytellers. Patterson and Meye..."

I don't know where you live, but in no way could Twilight miss someones radar. I think his comments were less than flattering about her writing, but he did say her story telling is compelling and it is. His background is writing. That's what he does. Why shouldn't he have an opinion like you and I do. I review books, good and bad, for what I think they are--based on the writing. He gave an interview and I post on the internet for any one to read. I don't really see the difference.

The difference is, I don't go around spouting my negative opinion about people in my line of work in national magazines. He can bitch and whine to his friends and family all he wants, but I've read this stuff from him in big magazines like Entertainment Weekly. It's like gossip, and he should be above that.

And by on his radar, I didn't mean he shouldn't have heard of it, just that...why does he GIVE a shit? Totally different writing styles, totally different audiences, what does he care about some young YA author, that isn't even his market?

I don't think the venue of his comments is relevant. He could have written them in a blog and the reaction would have been the same. I think writing is difficult and very technical and that was what he was commenting on. I hope people that read her books are aware that it is not literary excellence.

Just because King writes a certain genre hardly means he is limited to that style when he reads a book. I'm 32 and had never read a YA book. I just wanted to see what the fuss was about. He probably did too.

Writing is not the only profession where comments (positive or negative) about your peers is done, but seems to be less accepted.

From what I've seen, any professional community that puts you in the national spot light frowns on being openly critical of your peers. You see the same sort of behavior with actors and muscians, as well as professional sports on occasion.

I think that the concept of professionalism within the field of entertainment is a bit different than any other field.

I agree that Meyers writing is not the best. But at the end of the day good writing is not always what determines the popularity of a novel. I personally don't find Kings work too be all that compelling and well written but that's also because the STORY/Genre/ Plot is usually 1/2 if not more important than the actual writing skills. and the King genre doesn't appeal to me as much. also sometimes novels can be overwritten and take away from a novel. the average American needs a easy to read novel for entertainment and lets face it sometimes that doesn't always need the best writers to accomplish but more good story tellers who know how to dumb down their writing for a quick and easy read.

People say that SM can't write but honestly, I was so sucked into her characters that I didn't notice. She took me on an emotional rollercoaster and I LOVED all of the Cullens. There are even huge debates about "team Edward" or "team Jacob". Has anyone ever become obsessed with SK's characters to that extreme. That is talent, when an author can make the whole world fall so in love with her characters that they become real. Despite what he may think. No matter what though, he should never have slammed another author--he can think it, but it makes him look unprofessional when he says it. Plus, it's just mean.

Steven wrote: "There are certain basic requirements to be met by all writers before they become recognized as Authors. Poor quality writing should not be published. If it is, it should be reviewed by qualified r..."

Are you referring to Twilight specifically when you talk about "scams". If so, I think millions of fans would disagree with you on your opinion of poor quality writing. Not to mention the publishers, agents and editors who all reviewed and backed the book.

P.A. wrote: "People say that SM can't write but honestly, I was so sucked into her characters that I didn't notice. She took me on an emotional rollercoaster and I LOVED all of the Cullens. There are even huge ..."

*Points up* What she said!

I was one of those people that was sucked into Twilight as well. I read all 4 books in less then a week. and I'm totally Team Edward by the way... though I REALLY like Taylor lol... I think what he seems to forget or is deciding to ignore is that their audiences are totally different. His is horror crap(My opinion) and hers is paranormal YA... geared towards two different audiences... So why he even CARES about it is beyond me... Everyone has their own tastes in books but that doesn't give him the right to PUBLICLY badmouth another author, It's petty, childish, and just downright mean. I wonder how he'd feel if somebody was saying this stuff about him because honestly... His stuff isn't as good as he seems to think... And there ARE a lot of people that don't like him... Just as I'm sure there are other writers out there that don't like him or think his writing isn't that good... But I've yet to hear anybody say anything about him now have we? Somebody else mentioned something that they've probably hit right on the nail... It's envy and maybe even a bit of jealousy about how much her books are selling where his aren't really selling any longer... This is just my opinion though...

Steven wrote: "Tabitha wrote: "I don't think the venue of his comments is relevant. He could have written them in a blog and the reaction would have been the same. I think writing is difficult and very technica..."

Yeah...the school system!

I have bought a LOT of self published stuff over the years, and while Meyer might not be perfect at sentence structure and grammar, she is MILES above a lot of the stuff I have read. I don't recall consistent mis-spellings or misuse of homonyms. It gets so wearing reading passed in place of past, peak in place of peek, lathe in place of lave, etc etc etc.

Steven wrote: "Tabitha wrote: "I don't think the venue of his comments is relevant. He could have written them in a blog and the reaction would have been the same. I think writing is difficult and very technica..."

Again, who exactly decides what is poor quality. Isn't all art subject to interpretation?

P.A. wrote: "Steven wrote: "Tabitha wrote: "I don't think the venue of his comments is relevant. He could have written them in a blog and the reaction would have been the same. I think writing is difficult an..."

King was commenting on her writing (the technical aspect), not the story itself. It's the exact problem I had with the series. I enjoyed the story, but from a technical standpoint, the writing is poor. The real problem with her success, to me, it that teenagers who never picked up a book, consider 'Twilight' literary genius and the best thing since training bras and driver's permits.

Steven - I assume since your profile lists you as an author that you feel that you meet the required talent level to call yourself an author. Funny that I have never heard of you.

I have, however, heard of Stephanie Meyer. I'm not saying that she is a literary genius by any means but she can sure sell her version of a story to the masses.

I don't think being rude to another person is necessary for this discussion.

I wasn't being rude Tabitha - every post that Steven has made he has mentioned that not everyone can be considered an author but apparently he can call himself one. Not sure why he feels that he has the right to determine who can be called an author.

"you feel that you meet the required talent level to call yourself an author. Funny that I have never heard of you" sounds pretty rude. Just my opinion.

Can we get back to attacking Meyer and King!!

Sorry, I just think that King is being very unprofessional. Plus, he doesn't even really argue his case, just spouts out his opinions like he's an authority on taste and quality. But taste and quality are both subjective and just because he doesn't approve doesn't mean a book really is bad.

Also, I do belive that it doesn't matter what kind of marketing a book gets, if the majority of the readers don't like it, the series will never be successful. And obviously a lot of people liked Twilight.

Steven wrote: "No, it is not in writing. In painting--maybe..."

It just sounds a bit like your saying that all of the people at Little Brown and COmpany publishing is either wrong--or just out to make a buck. Who gets to decide that. As readers, don't we get to make up our own minds about what is good and what isn't. I personally love Twilight and perhaps it's not technically perfect, but it evokes emotions. I have read a ton of technically good writing that I hate. So my point here, isn't talent subject to interpretation. It is not just about writing technically perfect. And the term author I think also refers to giving creation to something. SM is an author because she created Twilight.

I think no matter how "correct" or "artistic" an author is it is the reader that makes them a success. Mr King is very popular in his genre. JK Rowlings brought kids back to reading especially young boys. Stephanie Meyers did the same thing for young girls. She wrote in a "style" that appealed to her Y/A audience.

However, that being said..just like in any profession slamming the "competition" is never in good taste. Especially in something as subjective as reading tastes.

P.A. wrote: "Steven wrote: "No, it is not in writing. In painting--maybe..."

It just sounds a bit like your saying that all of the people at Little Brown and COmpany publishing is either wrong--or just out t..."

I think that is King's point though that the writing is technically flawed not the story or its interpretation of millions of readers. The question he was asked was meant to provoke his negative response. The interviewer didn't want specifics, just a sound bite.

Doctors, scientists, athletes, artists, politicians (duh) and many more professions have very public outlets for criticizing their professional colleagues. I'm not concerned about King's comment as a professional writer about another.

I have posted this link before, but just to show you all that this has been going on throughout history-

The 30 Best Author on Author Insults

http://flavorwire.com/188138/the-30-h...

I have this bookmarked because it makes me giggle every time I read it, and it reminds me that everyone has an opinion on what makes good writing.

Ann wrote: "I have posted this link before, but just to show you all that this has been going on throughout history-

The 30 Best Author on Author Insults

http://flavorwire.com/188138/the-30-h...-..."

lol Thank you so much for that link. I loved it. :)

There was a huge issue with professionalism in what King said. Whether on a personal level he likes or dislikes Meyer, he should have showed her respect as a fellow member of his profession. As a member of any profession, you have ethics that you have to adhere to, and King failed massively.

I personally think Meyer is a great writer, so on a personal level I disagree with King. And even if we didn't agree on her writing, that should never have been expressed in interviews the way he did.

Agreed... I swear we need a "Like" Button here on GR lol

Luckily Stephenie has her envy block so inane comments like this don't stick.

Has he not yet figured out that once he decided he as a writer his books stop selling? Has he not figured out that we the book buying public are the real critics and the arbiters of good, compelling writing? Has he not yet figured out that in the end some of the same books he is slamming today will be tomorrow's classics?

Apparently not.... He's getting mean and nasty in his old age ...

Steven wrote: "If you water down writing to the level where anyone can write, then writing becomes a stupid joke and any fool can come up with a success story. It has nothing to do with Democracy and if bad and ..."

So, if writing is an art, and should only be held to the uppermost high level of technical skill, does that mean we should just throw out all children's books? Because "See Dick Run" isn't technically beautiful enough? Or should writers never try to make a 'new style' because they may or may not stumble and fall (like ee commings 'new' style of poetry)?

Writers should never push the envelope, or go out of the box, or write just to see if they are good writers and let the readers decided if it's good?

I, personally, don't want to live in such a rigid writing world.

P.A. wrote: "Again, who exactly decides what is poor quality. Isn't all art subject to interpretation? "


THANK YOU! Words out of my mouth!

Stephanie Meyers has had one book be the #1 bestseller on the NY Times list. Stephen King has had over thirty books at #1 bestseller on the NY Times list.

Meyers - 5 movies
King - too many to count http://bestsellers.about.com/od/steph...

I honestly don't think the man is jealous of anyone's success. He has had success after success. Meyers has had one successful series.

she has another movie coming out, too: The Host.

just saying.

I do feel there is a bit of sour grapes to what King did. He feels he had to work really hard for his success, and I'm sure it was frustrating that she got offered an incredible advance for her first novel right out the gate.

I don't think King has the right to feel superior over Meyer. Regardless of how many books he's written or how he is considered the king of horror, there is more than enough room for others to be successful in the field, even if you don't care for them personally. That's where professionalism comes into play.

Lady Danielle "The Book Huntress" wrote: "I do feel there is a bit of sour grapes to what King did. He feels he had to work really hard for his success, and I'm sure it was frustrating that she got offered an incredible advance for her fir..."

Thank you, Danielle! Yet another GREAT point!

I feel like I should be asking...

Team Edward or Team Jacob?

Tabitha wrote: "I feel like I should be asking...

Team Edward or Team Jacob?"

Since you asked, I am Team Edward. However I have also been reading SK for many, many years. I like both SK and SM works for different reasons.

Steven, I don't think you realize how your comments come off to others: arrogant,sanctimonious,and know it all come to my mind. You are slamming other authors as if you are the high authority on the subject. Who made you judge and jury?

Okay so I think it is time for a Mom to chime in... Okay so when I first picked up Twilight, all I could think was Mrs. W my high school English Teacher is rip me apart if we wrote like this. Not saying that the story was not gripping, It was the technical aspect. Granted SK did not handle that too well and he should have stuck with the facts instead of insults. Personally I am not a SK fan, and I would rather what the Twilight Saga on DVD, because reading it blows.

Now see how hard that was to read?

Steven wrote: "Michelle(Chelle) aka Nightshade wrote: "Steven - I assume since your profile lists you as an author that you feel that you meet the required talent level to call yourself an author. Funny that I ha..."

Your link doesn't work.

Bitchie wrote: "Steven wrote: "Michelle(Chelle) aka Nightshade wrote: "Steven - I assume since your profile lists you as an author that you feel that you meet the required talent level to call yourself an author. ..."

http://www.snedelton.com/

Acquinnette wrote: "Okay so I think it is time for a Mom to chime in... Okay so when I first picked up Twilight, all I could think was Mrs. W my high school English Teacher is rip me apart if we wrote like this. Not s..."

Well stated. I wasn't graded on artistic interpretation in all my years of schooling. I was graded on how well I wrote. I've been reading novels for more than 20 years. I dont' have to be an author to know Twilight series is poorly written books, but has a good story. I have to disagree about the movies though. My god they are awful. That screenwriter makes Meyers Pulitzer Prize worthy.

Steven wrote: "You think people ..."

So, because I am a reader that likes Twilight and Stephen King, I'm an uneducated reader that never read any classics? Aloof much?