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Feb
04
This just in: "Stephenie Meyer can't write worth a darn."
2009 at 9am Posted by Rebecca Joines Schinsky
(or, Things that make me happy when they appear in my Google Reader on a day when I feel like crabbing about something)
I’ve never been much of a Stephen King fan, but then again, I haven’t read much of his work. I tackled The Shining in fourth grade (good call on that, Mom and Dad!) and definitely didn’t get it, and I’ve never really been tempted to go back….but all of that might be changing because he’s taking on Stephenie Meyer and telling it like it is.
Oh how I wish I’d thought to just say “Stephenie Meyer can’t write worth a darn. She’s not very good.” And I’d be lying if I didn’t fess up to doing a little happy dance when I read King’s comparison of Meyer and J.K. Rowling. I’ve been howling about the fact that the idea that Meyer is the new Rowling is the result of nothing more than a successful marketing plan for a while, and oh, the validation is sweet. Thank you, Stephen King!
(bonus points for calling out James Patterson)
My new BFF
The best part of this article, though? Definitely the comments section. I have to say, if you can’t spell or construct your sentences properly, you’re going to have a hard time convincing other people to consider your opinion on a writer’s quality.
I know I’m in the minority on this one, and sure, maybe it makes me a bit of a literary snob. But you know what? I’m okay with that. I’ll admit that Meyer’s books are pageturners, but that doesn’t make them good. For an additional perspective, check out this video of Trish from Hey Lady and Jessica from Both Eyes Book Blog discussing the series.
And while we’re on the topic of crappy writing, check out this recent article on ghost writers and pay-for-review services.
Thanks to the friend who emailed me the Stephen King piece…you know who you are. 
I have not read Meyer, so I can’t speak from my own experience about her writing and I know some people that loved her books. Maybe I am just contrary but I am always suspicious of these Mega Hits authors. As you said, I suspect it has a great deal more to do with marketing than talent quite often.
Now, I have read Patterson..in the past. But like many successful authors, his books reached a point where I gave up on them. I must go read what King has to say…
I did a little cheer when I read the quote by Stephen King last night. I only read Twilight, but that was enough. The story was okay, but her writing was not even that. You are not alone !
You need to read The Stand! To me, that is what put King in the position he is in. The man can write.
As for Meyer, I don’t think she writes well, but the subject matter is appealing and it makes me feel like a kid again.
I read the first book of Stephenie Meyer (“Twilight”, I think) and even saw the movie, and I will say that she was pretty creative. For example, the way she got rid of the old vampire cliches (e.g. shape shifting into a bat, death by sunlight, sleeping in coffins, etc.) and replaced them with something completely outside the box. Now, does that mean that I like her writing? Not at all. Personally, I think that it is too bland for my taste, but I will still give her props for the creativity.
OMG I read this yesterday and was still thinking about this this morning. I’ve always had a lot of respect for Stephen King, but I have even more…which is probably shallow, but I don’t care. Oh, to FINALLY have someone come out and say, This sucks. Granted, I read the whole series, but believe me I was complaining about it the whole way through.
I’ve never read any of Meyer’s vampire books because I know I would hate how she treats the vampires. I do have her book “The Host” on my wishlist though. We’ll see what I think of it when I finally get it …
wow…stephen king…he is always saying something that gets him in trouble…i’m sure he will be “smacked” a bit…lol I find it funny that many find his writing poor as well.
If you do decide to try out King again, I recommend the very short and quick The Colorado Kid. It’s a very nontraditional mystery and the only King I’ve ever read–I was super impressed with it.
You’re far from alone. I couldn’t even finish Twilight, and I went into it predisposed to like it, since I’m a big Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan. She’s no Rowling. Not even close.
“She can’t write worth a darn! But… But…. She is published and folks are buying her books. What does that say for the readers? If she doesn’t write worth a darn, then there is hope for me yet. Personally, I think King is jealous. Is she outselling him at the moment???
I love the comments on that post almost more than the post itself. They’re too funny – all convinced that accusing King of bad writing himself means he must be wrong about Meyer. I’ll admit that he’s a bit variable when it comes to quality, but King has really put out brilliance that is unfortunately shadowed by his lesser works.
You saw my recent post about Twilight – honestly, I think he’s 100%. Meyer’s writing about things teenage girls like and it doesn’t matter to them that she can’t write. Most of them wouldn’t recognize a well-constructed sentence if it hit them over the head.
Ha! I saw this too! I have to admit that I love the Twilight books. But do I really think that Meyers’ writing is good in any way, shape or form? No way! The writing is TERRIBLE! but I do like the story and just see it as a teenage version of a trashy romance novel.
You are far from alone, Rebecca! I’ve only read Twilight, but that was enough for me. I must admit I got sucked into the story, but I have to agree, Meyer’s writing is poor and the storyline is downright disturbing.
For another great take on the series, read this post on the Bitch site.
I saw this earlier somewhere and just laughed out loud. Smackdown!
I haven’t read anything by Meyer but I have my own opinions regarding the obsession with her books (and a super long rant on the subject). It’s nothing personal against her talents as a writer (or lack of; again, no knowledge either way), it’s just an opinion. Either way, an interesting tidbit to read that once again raises the popular/good argument.
I’m in the I-don’t-like-Stephanie-Meyer land too!
I loved this piece when I read it! You are not alone – I thought the best thing about Stephanie and her sexless Mormon vampires was the blogosphere send-up of them. I also think it’s hilarious to read Stephen King – so often accused of being hack by others – sharing some of that love.
i want to know why you guys are spending all your time hating on this lady’s writing or comparing her to whoever. this lady wrote because she had a dream and she felt that she should share it. i personally do feel a certain connection between her stories because she found a way to relate it to teens or young adults or whomever she feels. i just think you guys are wasting ur breath hating on her so much and need to get a life… like seriously.
I think stephenie meyer is an amazing writer! stephen dumb ass king is just jelouse cause he cant write like her! suck on that stephen duce king!!!!!!!
Stephenie Meyer can’t write, and I have noticed that those who have left comments that state stephenie meyer is a good writer, can’t even write properly themselves. I read all four books in the Twilight series and by the end I felt that I was repeatedly reading the same descriptions of the characters and their traits. I will admit that she is a gifted storyteller, but she has no talent as a writer because she is repetitive, has a limited vocabulary and is unable to condense her story into a bearable one, and not leave me thinking get on with it already!
Stephanie cannot write..
I totally agree with this…
[...] Ok, I couldn’t just let that Twilight comment sit in my “Not Me!” Monday post and move on. I know the Twilight series has a huge following and many people absolutely love the storyline and characters. Maybe I would have felt differently if I had read the book, though I doubt it…The Book Lady has posted several times about Stephenie Meyer’s writing, and I trust her critiques. You can two of them here and here. [...]
If you think STEPHEN KING IS JEALOUS OF AN AMATEUR like Stephenie meyer, consider this:
Stephen King is a literary legend. He has sold many acclaimed books, has won numerous awards, has sold over 300 + million copies worldwide, has succesful film adaptations from his books, and is a renouned writer/critic to this day.
Stephenie Meyer on the other hand has ONE “hit” series ( at least to the teens and their twi-moms), and that series has only sold, roughly 28 million worldwide. Why would Stephen King be jealous?
It doesn’t make sense at all.
Stephenie Meyer needs to grow as a writer, and if you twi-hards/twi-lighters/twi-moms/twi-tards or WHATEVER you call yourself, can’t appreciate the fact that she WILL be criticized, she won’t get better, and MORE critics will continue to slam her. ( alot already have)
I mean.. At least Stephen King actually CARES enough to read her book and respond to it. That’s got to say something right, whether he praises it or not. In my opinion, Stephenie Meyer needs to grow as a writer. Although I personally, don’t think she’s that great of a writer.
Jk Rowling on the other hand…. PURE BRILLIANCE
As a rule, if the author has to tell you that someone is beautiful or in love or…anything, then they have taken the easy route and their editor should be fired for not telling them to go back and correct it. A good writer will lead you to those conclusions by showing you the beauty, the love, etc. The rule is simply: show, don’t tell.
Related to this is the rule of using the invisible “he/she said”, which is linked to the rule of not using too many adjectives and adverbs. Again, the writer should show you the emotions in the scene. If they have to tell you that someone said something “sharply/cheerfully/angrily” then they have failed to paint a picture of that person’s mood.
And for anyone who doubts Stephen King’s ability, I suggest they read “The Long Walk”.
Right, cause to write like her you need to have no shame in being an Grown up that creates corny,chessy teens books, Jonas Brothers=Tokyo Hotel=Twilight.
It’s not Meyer who I feel is guilty; I feel it’s her editor.
The syntax, grammar, and feel of her books is less than terrible. She put forth a fantastic story; however, her editor must have had some serious restraints in order to allow such a choppy set of books to go to print.
It is easy to tell who teens are on this website and who are the adults….as above ^^ so below v v
Yea what were her editors, publishers, readers thinking!? I hope that when I get published or even accepted that if I cant write worth a darn that I can become a millionaire!