My observation of Twilight is that it reads like mediocre fanfiction of itself. Like someone wanted to mix Anne Rice with the OC. That said, I can see its appeal. It’s essentially fantasy pulp romance. It doesn’t have the depth and tact of the Harry Potter series, but it has all the elements of previous successes and there’s nothing new to challenge it so the beast roams on. Days of our lives with fangs… And glistening skin…

Personally I’d be surprised if Meyers writes anything after she finishes the Twilight series. I apologize if my opinion offends Twilight fans, I’m just making an observation as someone outside the target audience.

Wow. I’ve been rereading the Dark Tower series the last two weeks, so when it comes to people who can write worth a darn, I can say Stephen King is definitely one with some ground on which to stand on the issue. On the other hand, the few excerpts I’ve encountered of those Twilight books have been disappointing enough that I haven’t bothered trying to read a whole book of the same.
The only ‘sparkling’ a vampire needs to be doing in the sunlight is a prelude to bursting into flames, people.

Finally someone who is realistic about Stephenie Meyer! She cannot write to save her life, but she did come up with a story that appeals to a target audience. That is her only talent. There is no complexity to her books. Whereas JK Rowling has, as we all know, created a world so realistic and complete that all comparisons between the two are totally ridiculous.

Finally someone who is realistic about Stephenie Meyer! She cannot write to save her life, but she did come up with a story that appeals to a target audience. That is her only talent. There is no complexity to her books. Whereas JK Rowling has, as we all know, created a world so realistic and complete that all comparisons between the two are totally ridiculous.

Ooh, that was quite scathing from the usually eloquent King. I totally agree with everything King says on all the authors except Meyer who I have not read any of her books and to be honest dont intend to. Just not my cup of tea, that all. But I am surprised King took this tone. He must have got really worked up on something to unleash such a critic attack on Meyer! I have always loved reading Kings musings as he he writes so beautifully and deserves his rank as one of our greatest authors. But methinks he was in a particularly bad mood here, lol.

I read twilight and enjoyed it. Its got nowhere near the intricacy and enthrallment power that HP has. I don’t think it is fair for one person to completely and publicly condemn a writer. But I guess at the same time Stephen King has every right to state his opinion.

A difficult thing to judge but I think the only real way to know is to read a book and make your own opinion.

So true, Mr King! Thanks for that. The “problem” with Meyer’s books is they are like a bad car crash or a bad TV soap – you just can’t help looking, i.e. reading. But in terms of quality, they’re just plain crap.

That’s actually a very good way of putting it. Some writers are absolute wordsmiths, some are fantastic storytellers, some are able to speak to their target audience so well that it makes them successful.

LOL! I agree but my gosh does Robert Pattinson look sexy in the movie! If you look at the story without being critical of the writing style or you don’t analyse it then it is a nice read. I read them all just so I could keep up with my sister who had read them all prior to watching the movie. I read them after I watched the movie and I understand the story a lot better. But yes the books aren’t great.

He’s definitely right. Stephenie Meyer’s writing style is not very good at all, but her story idea was pretty fantastic, and so she became massively successful. JKR had a great story idea and has a great writing style. She appeals to everyone.

Stephen King … thank you, sir, thank you.

You gotta love that man – he speaks his mind no matter what.

Ahh, yeaah, I saw this earlier. So funny!

LOL! That is it, right there— both honest and true! Thank you, Stephen King.

First I love both Harry Potter (else I probably wouldn’t be on this site) and Twilight. However I found Twilight to be badly written but that never stopped me from enjoying the stories (apart from the occassional hrumph over the writing) and if it starts more people reading I think that’s a good thing. I loved Enid Blyton too as a kid and her writing has left much to be desired at times but I was also reading other better written books too. Criticism can help an author to grow if it’s taken the right way.

I loved the twilight series, but I definitely recognize that Stephenie Meyer is not all that talented a writer compared to a lot of the authors out there.