Stephen King Says Stephenie Meyer Sucks, Kinda Likes J.K. Rowling
Celebrity and Industry Odds and Ends, Horror Movie News — By Nix on February 4, 2009
Stephen King’s best stories are his short stories, where King doesn’t run out of steam about three-fourths of the way through, as he normally does with his novels, and has to resort to, say, a giant spider in a sewer or alien slugs from outer space for his endings. Really, guys, if that “It” ending doesn’t make you giggle like a school girl when you read it again (or God forbid, see the movie version), then you’ve probably never kissed a girl. Speaking of bad writing, in a recent interview with USA Weekend, Stephen King would like you to know that while he appreciates J.K. Rowling for being inspired by him, he doesn’t think all that highly of “Twilight” author Stephenie Meyer. In fact, King thinks she’s a pretty crappy writer, to tell you the truth.
Says the Bangor Maine resident to USA Weekend:
“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.
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 they’re not overtly sexual. 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.”
The last movie based on a Stephen King book, meanwhile, had giant bugs attacking a grocery store. Plus, there was a big mist or something.
But don’t be sad, Stephenie Meyer, while Stephen King has no belief in your writing ability whatsoever, he has even less respect for James Patterson. Plus, he thinks that H.P. Lovecraft guy was aiiight, but definitely nothing special. You know who King thinks is really good? Jodi Picoult. Yes, I’ve never heard of her, either. Then again, the last time I picked up an honest to goodness novel, it had Fabio on the cover. In my defense, I was just buying it for my girlfriend. Honest.
Below: Honest, J.K. Rowling is ecstatic that Stephen King likes her more than Stephenie Meyer. It’s just that, well, she’s British, and this is her “happy” face.
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74 Comments
I just came across this. I am a person who loves to read. And I have to say I love the Twilight Series. I read all four books in in about a month I would have to say. I have never liked any of the books Stephen King. I try to read them, and I get bored with them. And as for, James Patterson, He is like my favorite writer.
haha, that’s totally fine if he doesn’t like Stephenie Meyer,
but if he wants to be professional maybe he should start acting like it.
Criticism is professional, if you criticize people in the same profession, it means you’ve gained the respect and praise of literary critics or fans.
What I find sad is the need of name calling on both sides. Stephen King always has and always will be one of my favorite authors. However; his direct outburst at Stephanie Meyer was uncalled for and very dissapointing.
I do not believe it stemmed from jealousy, instead from his own opinion. He just opened his mouth before properly thinking out what he was saying.
I myself am 30yrs old, a mother and avid reader. (I do not read trashy romance novels) Yet I found myself enjoying the twilight series quite alot. It is important to understand that this is a fiction book, meant to allow you to escape life for a bit and enjoy a decent story. If you don’t like it … Put it down and move on. Why people find the need to analyze every single sentence of something they hate is beyond me. The ignorance of those who post for and against this series is appalling. Typically if you can not get your message out without lots of four letter words or *&^ your message is lost. There really is no reason to be insulting, I liked the series; you didn’t. It happens daily, would you suddenly go on a rant if you liked broccoli and your friend did not?
Both authors are talented. They both have success, I am saddened by Mr. Kings outburst towards a new author. But do not hold him any malice, he is still the master of horror. And true a few of his works could be deemed along the lines of “hack” at least in my eyes. The fact remains though, they are fictional writers. We can not say they are wrong or right, only if we enjoy the world they created for us.
I really don’t see how what Mr. King said could be considered an “outburst”. All he said was that Smeyer can’t write worth a darn. (Trufax, by the way.)
The reason people who dislike Twilight (myself included) “insult” the series is because of the millions of teenyboppers and desprate middle-aged wives and mothers who claim it to be the best thing since the dawn of literature. We analyze it because it’s what we do with every book we read, like or dislike. Besides, it’s fun to see the Twihards/tards get all butthurt when someone points out the series’ flaws. And yes, I would rant about broccoli.
Smeyer is by no means talented. If she’s so great, then how come the only awards she’s won are the Kid’s Choice Awards (not a legit literary award) and the Golden Delete Key (a reward for being BAD)? Here’s, according to Wikipedia, the list of awards King’s won:
“King has won 6 Bram Stoker awards, 6 Horror Guild awards, 5 Locus Awards, 3 World Fantasy Awards (including a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004)
the 1996 O. Henry Award, a Hugo Award in 1982 for the non-fiction book Danse Macabre. He was given a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003 by the
Horror Writers’ Association and a Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters from the National Book Foundation in 2003
(see Critical Response, above). In 2007, King received an award for lifetime achievement from the Canadian Literary Guild, the only
non-Canadian to be bestowed this award.”
He’s got a Hugo. That’s a really serious award we’re talking about here. They’re bestowed on the best of the best in the literary community, not hack writers like Smeyer.
All in all, Mr. King’s remarks were perfectly justified and an understatement.
/roll eyes. Oh please, I don’t see anyone advocating any so called ‘fact’ that Stephenie is the best author to grace horror, romance, whatever. But what I do see is a bunch of pseudo intellects tossing up what a genius King is
Right.
Way to respond immaturely to a inoffensive, thoughtful response.
I am a perfectly straight, good-looking 16 year old male, and I have to say, the Twilight series is actually okay. But comparing Twilight to any of Steven King’s novels, like the Dark Tower series, is like comparing Taylor Swift to Aerosmith. I mean, come on. Get real.
It’s too bad that you Twilight fans’ author is a raging homophobe who was the single largest private funder of anti-gay legislation in California.
Keep buying her books so that she can have more money to spend on campaigns that propagate hate and intolerance.
Oh, and by the way, the Twilight movie was just god-awful. Really, really poorly done.
Yeah, Stephen King doesn’t know **** about books.
He only made a generation of children terrified of clowns.
The success of the Twilight series only proves to me that you don’t have to be a good writer to sell books anymore. Also that the pussyfication of America is well under way.
Vampires that sparkle in the sunshine instead of burning up? FAIL! Briam Lumley laughs at you Stephanie Meyer.
Stephen King is amazing. He’s proved this time and time again. He’s been around for years, and you don’t gain as much success and fame as he as for being a hack. Stephenie Meyer on the other hand… fluke. Her literature sucks, as well as her story-telling.
Oh yeah, Pet Semetary is one of the best and scariest novels ever written. It’s the sh*$!
go fuk your mums balls all meyer fans
fuzzy liker you are doc
YEAH! YEAH!!! I see you are British. Congratulations! Your country has one of the all time best writers ever. J.K. Rowling! Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was by far the most amazing book I have ever read. I would love to get my hands on British copies of all of them. J.K. Rowling doesn’t seem to be real fond of Americans though. Shes just not very charismatic around us. I still think she’s great though.