Twilight author Stephenie Meyer’s success story will be told in an upcoming issue of the biographical comic Female Force, the Bluewater Productions title which celebrates influential women in society and pop culture. Two versions will be released before The Twilight Saga’s New Moon hits theaters in November — a standard 22-page edition and a 40-page collector’s edition that includes bonus material such as the history of Forks. Writer Ryan Burton (Flying Saucers vs. The Earth) says an iconic vampire serves as the narrator. He did not name which one.
“We get to turn the tables on Meyer and she becomes the featured protagonist,” Bluewater’s president Darren G. Davis said in a release. “And we are going to tell her story in a very fun, respectful and unique way.” Other issues of Female Force have honored Hillary Clinton, Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Sarah Palin, and Princess Diana.
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Are there not any other influential women? Stephenie Meyer is trying to set women back 40 years with her whiny, co-dependent, can’t live without a man Bella.
Yeah, and it’s not even hardback!
UH yes it is hardback. All of her other books are except Twilight..Look around before you speak..
I think she was referring to the comic book.
I agree!
Of all the women, they pick this whiny hack?
Then again they picked Sara Palin…
Ummm…How about J.K. Rowling? Did I miss something or isn’t she THE top in her field?
agreed
Exactly. Michelle Obama and Oprah along with millions of people around the world have praised JK Rowling for what she’s contributed to the literary world and these people choose the author of that twilight crap. That woman has set Feminism back 10 years with her dumb series.
If you read the series you’ll see that statement is entirely false. The series is based around the notion that it’s the male that needs saving…. and she repeatedly does save him throughout the books. In the end, the female protagonist, Bella, turns out to be the most powerful of all the vampires. Also, I think it’s important to remember that this is a fantasy series…. vampires and werewolves don’t exist. To say that the actions of this female character don’t fit with today’s society is kind of silly…. as there are no vampires in the real world. It’s simply a powerful story of forbidden young love…. very much like the classic Romeo and Juliet. No need to analyze it more than that. It has had a huge influence on pop culture, for people of all ages. It is remarkable whether you are a fan or not.
If you are a Jack Bauer enthusiast, as your name states, then you have no business making claims about feminism!!! The “whole world needs to be saved by a man” concept of 24 is truly what sets us back. It’s set in reality, today’s society. I’d rather “escape” to a world of vampires any day, where in the end the female gets everything she wants, including POWER!
JK Rowling IS in the top of her field.
She is the CURRENT queen of literature.
No fantasy author has beat her sales.
But according to the person down below, JK Rowling IS getting her own comic. I guess they just haven’t released the news yet.
being the “queen of literature” as you call her (LOL) still doesn’t make her anywhere NEAR as influential as someone like princess Diana. If you think so, you’re fooling yourself.
TO KIRSTEN- Sorry, I meant the current “FANTASY” queen.
And I never said anything about Princess Diana. Don’t assume. I never said that she’s better or more influential.
As a writer goes though… She’s pretty hard to beat.
I still think it’s ridiculous that some people are acting as though somehow it “makes more sense” for a comic to be written about Rowling. Both Rowling and Meyer are authors of popular book series, but that doesn’t put them in the same realm as someone like Princess Diana when it comes to contributions to the world.
TO KIRSTEN:
I don’t understand what You want me to say? We get it, Princess Diana was an amazing, influential woman.
HOWEVER, Jk Rowling has contributed to the world. She has promoted Literacy and contributed
to many charities around the world.
And so… What about Sara Palin?
Why is she in considered in the same realm?
The Point being, Maybe JK Rowling isn’t as great as Princess Diana, but she’s still contributed to the world.
I think You need to drop this.
To jane:
my point is this. This attitude that some people have (i.e., J.K. Rowling is somehow more “deserving” than Meyer) is ridiculous, because neither of them have made the same kinds of contributions as someone like Princess Diana.
So, this “holier than thou” attitude of the HP fans needs to stop, because someone could take that same attitude with you, and say that J.K. is nowhere NEAR as influential as Princess Diana.
Everything you’re saying about J.K. Rowling “promoting literacy”, etc… could also be said about Stephenie Meyer. Someone whose books sales accounted for 25% of ALL book sales last year, is OBVIOUSLY an influential author.
I think its the HP fans who need to “drop” their snobby attitude.
TO KIRSTEN- well take it up with the editors because apparently, they’re also making a comic book for JK Rowling.
Stephenie has not been nearly as influential as the other woman, and that’s my opinion.
And I’m not even a HP fan. I just think that JK Rowling is far more worthy then Stephenie Meyer.
Influence can be both good and bad.
I don’t feel that Stephenie Has influenced people in a positive way.
I know girls who cry because they’re told that they’ll never find an edward.
To Carlie:
I couldn’t disagree more.
So, what you’re saying is that because Rowling has sold more books (as of now) that somehow makes Meyer “less worthy” of this honor?
Ok then, well if that’s the case, the bible has sold more copies than the Harry Potter series. Does that somehow make Rowling’s accomplishments less significant? Of course not.
Also, how is it up to you to determine whether or not an influence is “good” or “bad”?
I know many people who feel that the Twilight saga inspired them to follow their dreams, even if those dreams went against what others told them they “should” want.
Also, many kids read the HP series and cry over the fact that they’ll never be involved in as “great an adventure” as Harry (like my little brother). Does that mean that Rowling should have made Harry’s adventures less interesting? Of course not.
Just like people crying over Edward doesn’t mean that Meyer should have made Edward a less appealing character.
As I’ve said before, someone whose book sales accounted for 25% of last year’s TOTAL sales, is OBVIOUSLY an influential woman.
twilight was rated number 1 (knocking J.K.Rowling from the top) plus Harry potter isnt a big thing anymore Twilight is the new (and better) book
Wow!! The WORLD has come to an end. They’re including the author of that HORRIBLE series in the same category as Hillary Clinton, Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Sarah Palin, and Princess Diana. Just WOW! I wonder who paid them off.
LOL @ Hilary Clinton and Sarah Palin being featured as “role models”. Ummm…sure.
I AGREE!!!!!!
barf! i hope this is some kind of belated April Fools joke from EW because you’ve got to be kidding me.
i dont think Mandi Bierly KNOWS how to do an April Fool’s joke… especially anything Twilight-related…
I would agree that J.K. Rowling would be a much better subject and a far better role model.
But instead, our little sisters and daughters get an author who doesn’t understand adjectives or depth of character and a “heroine” who is spineless, helpless, and frankly, kinda stupid.
I’m very glad I have a son.
Hey Now! I’m a 15 year old teenage girl and even I HATE twilight.
Not all of us are stupid you know.
What gets me is how LAME twilight fans are.
“why do you like the books?”
“OME!! Edward is so hot! I love the romance and forbidden love!”
Its not love or romance, its LUST!
People say how is the twilight series about sex when they don’t even have any?
Um, THe WHOLE POINT OF the 4 books is Bella and Edward’s progression to having sex.
Every touch, every kiss… its all sex.
Stephenie Meyer doesn’t deserve this comic book.
She’s just a woman who had her little wet dream and is getting millions off of it.
Don’t worry sweetheart, she wasn’t insulting teenagers. She was just calling Bella stupid, not people who read Twilight.
I adore Twilight. Want to know what I think sets women (and people, in general, back)? The inability to accept the fact that everyone has different opinions, beliefs, and tastes. I think that it’s this oppressive attitude, which presumes that some peoples’ interests are “better” than other peoples’ interests, which sets us back as a country.
As an adult, I think that Bella is an extremely strong woman, who follows her own heart, and chooses her own path, regardless of whether or not that’s what others want/expect from her. THAT’S strength.
Anyways, I think that overall this comic book is a weird idea, but I would think that it’s a weird idea regardless of what author they chose to feature.
J.K. Rowling is an influential author, but you could never begin to compare her to someone like Princess Diana when it comes to her contributions to the world. Get off your high horse, Harry Potter fans.
Stephenie Meyer wrote a popular book series…J.K. Rowling wrote a popular book series. Neither of them should be put in the same category as Princess Diana.
“As an adult, I think that Bella is an extremely strong woman, who follows her own heart, and chooses her own path, regardless of whether or not that’s what others want/expect from her. THAT’S strength.”
Bella HAS no strength. She lets Edward and jacob make up all her decision. She lets THEM choose for her.
She cooks and cleans for her dad, she doesn’t fight for what she wants, she’s so selfish that she plays two guys who love her, she’s selfish for wanting jacob with her, she always depends on a man, she becomes a dead zombie when edward leaves her, she can’t LIVE without edward, she always needs some hot strong guy to save her, she gets married at a young age, has a baby at 18, she leaves all her dreams/aspirations/college career aside to be with edward.
HOW IS THIS STRONG?
umm, absolutely not. Edward WANTS Bella to have a human life, Jacob wants that too. Also, they all WANT her to give up her baby. She goes against what all of them want, and makes her own decisions based on what’s right for her. She NEVER lets others dictate her choices.
Also, all of us depend on others. We all NEED other people in our lives. To me, really loving someone with all your heart and soul, and being vulnerable to that person, is the action of a strong person.
To me, what sets women back is the idea that women “have” to do anything. The idea that a woman “shouldn’t” love a man with all her heart and soul, and that a woman “should” be passionate about her career…that’s telling a woman what she should and shouldn’t want. I respect a woman’s right to choose her future: whether that future focuses on a man, a family, or a career. I think it’s incredibly oppressive to say that a woman “isn’t allowed” to focus on a man that she’s in love with, but instead MUST focus on her career. To me, feminism is all about choice, and a woman who chooses her own path, like Bella does, is a strong woman.
Also, I think it’s ridiculously immature that ANYONE would say “nobody” likes Bella. I was at line in Comic-Con for Twilight, and PLENTY of people there, myself included, love Bella for her ability to choose what’s right for her, even when that goes against what others want.
I completely agree with Sara!
Bella is extremely weak.
I’m not angry that she picks Edward, I’m angry that she doesn’t care about anything else.
Any semblance of a life.
She gives up her friends, her family, we’re never told about any dreams or aspirations.
Bella says that maybe she was placed on this earth just to “love edward more than anyone has ever loved anyone before”
That’s your purpose.
To drop your whole life just to love someone else.
If Bella truly were strong, she’d get off her butt and make decisions.
She wouldn’t wait for reassurance or someone’s permission.
She wouldn’t need Edward or Jacob to hold her hand.
All Bella does is love edward or jacob.
Its disappointing.
And Don’t get me started on her insanity in New Moon.
Whether she was heartbroken or not, nothing justifies that.
Bella IS weak.
Bella is absolutely not weak. She makes her OWN decisions, regardless of what others think of her. You know what would have made her weak, in my eyes? If she had betrayed her heart, and decided to stay human. Every woman wants different things: a career, a family, true love, a combination of those three things, etc…. But to betray your heart just in order to be what society deems “acceptable”, makes you weak in my book. You don’t always choose what or who you love, but you do get to decide whether or not to follow your heart, and Bella is a strong woman who follows her heart.
For example, in Wuthering Heights, Catherine is too weak to follow her heart and stay with Heathcliff. She “caves in” to what society deems is appropriate for her to have, and in doing so betrays her eternal love for Heathcliff (a love that doesn’t fit within society’s boundaries of what’s acceptable). Unlike Bella, Catherine WAS influenced by the beliefs of others, and she let those beliefs dictate her life.
When it comes to Bella’s pain in New Moon, I’ve never been one to judge the ways in which people deal with pain. Not everyone can grieve in PG-rated, society-accepted ways.
Bella IS weak. She always depends on Edward and Jacob to save her.
LAME
Lilly, you should actually read the books. Bella is the one who saves Edward in New Moon, and she saves EVERYONE in Breaking Dawn. Get your facts straight.
Bella saves Edward in new moon because SHE was the one who practically committed suicide by jumping off the c
Cliff.
Breaking Dawn , she has “special powers” that she uses. Again because SHE took renesmee out in the public like an idiot.
Otherwise, bella is weak mentally/emotionally throughout the whole series.
And depends on Edward and Jacob to save her continually.
Even in BD, she’s still emotionally weak.
The fact that Bella has “special powers” in BD doesn’t nullify the fact that she saved everyone. They were all vampires. They ALL had special powers, yet it was Bella who saved the day. She doesn’t depend on anyone to “save” her. She saved them. Also, in New Moon, Bella may have jumped off of the cliff, but Edward still had a CHOICE as to how he would proceed. Once he made a decision that put him in danger, Bella was the one who rushed to save him, even though she had no “special powers” to protect herself.
Throughout the series, Bella made her OWN decisions (becoming a vampire, having her baby), even when nobody in her life agreed with those choices. To me, that’s strength.
She didn’t save everyone, ALICE, did. Alice was the one who brought the other half vampire/half human boy to prove that renesmee was safe.
Also, it was still bella’s fault that he went to Italy.
Of course she “went after him”, she’s madly obsessed “in love” with him. Again, she didn’t save him, Alice saved BOTH of them by showing Aro that bella would turn.
Bella’s ability to shield them, in Breaking Dawn, from Jane’s abilities ABSOLUTELY helped save them all.
In New Moon, regardless of whether or not you “approve” of her reasons for going after him, there’s no doubt that she’s the one who saved him.
I disagree. It was Alice who saved everybody, both times. If it weren’t for her, all three of them wouldve been killed by the volturri.
Same thing with Breaking Dawn.
Ok guys I think that Princess Diana was a very influental woman and she with JK Rowling should be awarded with this prize not Stephanie Meyer. Well anyways I agree and Disagree with some of what you folk have said. Bella is a selfish person, a weak but strong person. Please understand that she is acting like any other teenage girl. She is confused, and doesn’t know what to do. Well anyways it’s not fair that Stephenie gets this honor while other women actually worked their butts off and actually earned this honor.
“As an adult, I think that Bella is an extremely strong woman, who follows her own heart, and chooses her own path, regardless of whether or not that’s what others want/expect from her. THAT’S strength.”
Bella HAS no strength. She lets Edward and jacob make up all her decision. She lets THEM choose for her.
She cooks and cleans for her dad, she doesn’t fight for what she wants, she’s so selfish that she plays two guys who love her, she’s selfish for wanting jacob with her, she always depends on a man, she becomes a dead zombie when edward leaves her, she can’t LIVE without edward, she always needs some hot strong guy to save her, she gets married at a young age, has a baby at 18, she leaves all her dreams/aspirations/college career aside to be with edward.
HOW IS THIS STRONG?
Bella is weak, selfish, and a whiny b!tch. NO one likes her. They just like Edward or Jacob.
Sorry, i was adding on to what sara said. LOL
Way to go Willa. I agree with your statement 100%. I have read many books, from John Stienbeck’s novels to the “Twilight Series”. Good reading is a very personal conclusion based on each readers likes, dislikes, needs, desires, and where they are at in their life when they read the novel or make the choice to read it. I think it is unfair to make statements about series of books based on a person’s interest rather than the quality of the writing and the group of people the book was intended for. To each his or her own.
The content of the writing: practically every critic gas said that Stephenie has some storytelling ability, yet she’s not that great at writing.
The plot gets dull, she uses too much purple prose, she repeats words, there are plot holes in twilight, innconsistencies and more.
If Twilight was just the only novel, it couldve been good. She also couldve added Breaking Dawn as the sequel to that and stopped. (That was the original plan)
However, because of New Moon and Eclipse, Breaking Dawn seems way out there because it throws away everything that was established in New Moon and Eclipse.
Try reading Breaking Dawn after Twilight, and skipping the two middle books.
Besides some plot lines such as Jacob/wolves/ the volturri etc, it makes more sense after twilight.
I think Critics/editors/the media were so eager to find the next “JK Rowling” , as a result they kept promoting twilight, putting it in the media, and trying to find the next hit.
It worked at a much smaller degree…
But at the end of the day, quality wise, and Sales wise- JK Rowling hasn’t been topped.
Stephenie has had an influence, but personally, I don’t think as a MAJOR pop culture movement.
Many critics (including the New York Times, Time Magazine, and Rolling Stone) have called Twilight a literary phenomenon. Not only did it account for 25% of all book sales last year, it also was responsible for what is arguably the longest line(a line that consisted mostly of adults) in Comic Con’s 40 year history. That absolutely makes it a pop culture movement.
While I agree that the series is not written beautifully, I agree with the critics that I mentioned, who stated that Stephanie is a captivating storyteller.
In terms of sales, obviously J.K. Rowling hasn’t been topped yet. Maybe she will be in the future, maybe she won’t be. However, that doesn’t change the fact that Twilight is a phenomenon, whether people like it or not.
I completely agree Connie. I’m also an avid reader, but like you said, reading is completely subjective. Not only do interpretations of “good writing” change from person to person, they also change over time. Which is why a novel like Wuthering Heights was critically panned during its time, but is considered a classic now.
those critics did something called “selling out”.
Of course they’ll support the next big hit.
Again, twilight just got big last year. Of course it’s selling well. And the movie definitely boosted sales.
Also, I won’t comment on the Comic Con lines because I feel that comic con is being mainstreamed and now everything is there just to draw up a crowd, instead of what it was SUPPOSED to be for: comic books.
But moving on, hype lasts temporarily, but whether Twilight will be big in two years? We’ll have to see.
I don’t at all think those critics “sold out”. The New York Times recognized that the reason Twilight is a phenomenon is because it has that quality (that, according to the NYT, LOTR and HP have) which makes readers literally want to “crawl into the world” that the authors have created. That’s definitely not something to be taken lightly.
In terms of Comic Con, I’ve been attending it for a WHILE, and Star Wars has been there in the past. Comic Con has always been mainstream, in a sense. That doesn’t trivialize the INSANE line for Twilight.
Also, it’s absolutely true that hype for anything dies down (whether that be Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Twilight, Spiderman, Superman, etc…) That doesn’t mean the fans disappear. They just quiet down because there’s no new “news.”
I agree. Those critics sold out. And mostly they comment on the hype and excitement , not the actual literary quality.
And of course they’ll support the moneymakers, that’s money for them.
It’s all a business.
I’m not a Twilight fan (nor am I a Harry Potter fan), but I was at Comic-Con this year. The line for Twilight (which I, and everyone at Comic-Con, saw) was arguably one of the longest lines in Comic-Con history…and I’ve been attending for 20 years.
The author of a series that can cause that many fans (most of whom were adults) to line up overnight, is certainly influential in my book.
Also, I visit many entertainment sites, and this is the only site where people seem to have this holier-than-thou attitude. It’s sad that people who are supposed to be adults can’t act like adults and respect each other’s views. I love ew.com for its entertainment coverage…but the commenters on here frustrate me, not with their opinions, but with their hostile attitudes.
I’m also not a fan of either Twilight or Harry Potter…but after reading some of these comments, I was curious as to Twilight’s critical reception…here’s wikipedia’s summary of the critics’ response (clearly Twilight has received many positive reviews):
“Upon Twilight’s initial publication, the book generally received positive reviews, which acted a catalyst to spread its popularity. The Times praised the book for capturing “perfectly the teenage feeling of sexual tension and alienation”,[39] while Larry Carroll for MTV Movies deemed Edward and Bella “an iconic love story for a whole generation”.[40] Amazon.com hailed the book as “[d]eeply romantic and extraordinarily suspenseful”, while School Library Journal stated, “Realistic, subtle, succinct, and easy to follow, Twilight will have readers dying to sink their teeth into it”.[41] Booklist said, “this dark romance is gripping”,[41] and Norah Piehl of TeenReads wrote, “Twilight is a gripping blend of romance and horror”,[42] The New York Times has described Twilight as a “literary phenomenon”.[43]
Referring to the series’ enduring popularity and fandom, USA Today said, “Move over, Harry Potter”.[44] In addition, Entertainment Weekly hailed Meyer as “the world’s most popular vampire novelist since Anne Rice”.[45] Lev Grossman of Time wrote that the books have a “pillowy quality distinctly reminiscent of Internet fan fiction”, but still praised the series, comparing it to The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter:
People do not want to just read Meyer’s books; they want to climb inside them and live there…There’s no literary term for the quality Twilight and Harry Potter (and The Lord of the Rings) share, but you know it when you see it: their worlds have a freestanding internal integrity that makes you feel as if you should be able to buy real estate there.[15]
Outlining the anticipated release of Breaking Dawn, The Sunday Times called Twilight, “no ordinary vampire series – it boils with desire that all goes painfully unconsummated – and Meyer turns out to be far from an ordinary author”
I’m an adult man who doesn’t read Twilight (definitely not Twilight’s key demographic), but even I can see that these books have definitely been influential.
LOL that last review is so nonspecific. I’m assuming they meant far from ordinary because she is a bad writer.
I’ve read all three of those books and twilight does not come close to the genius and brilliance of Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings. It’s called selling out. They know if the give a good review then all the little 12 year old girls will but they’re magazine or whatever else. Stephen King, Anne Rice, and many other amazing authors have all said that Meyer can’t write to save her life…regardless of how many fans she has. High School Musical, Miley Cyrus, and the Jonas Brothers all have alot fans too.
Lindsey, you should actually read the review, before just “guessing”. Nope, they meant that she’s far from being ordinary because she’s a captivating storyteller. Which they stated in the actual review.
To JackBauerEnthusiast:
Sorry, but the New York Times, Sunday Times, Time Magazine & Rolling Stone all agree that Meyer’s novels have a LOT of emotional power. I’ll take their word over yours.
And just so you know, according to book sales, most Twilight fans are in their 20’s. Get your facts straight.
P.S.- You know who else had a lot of fans? The Beatles, and Elvis.
It’s called selling out . after harry potter , critics/media/publishers were looking for the next big hit.
They promoted twilight and that’s how ur got big. That and the movie.
Stephenie Meyer may have storytelling ability, but at the end of the day if you can’t write well, your not a good writer.
Whether your ideas are good or not.
The only reason Twilight is big is because of Edward Cullen.
As a Twilight fan, and as someone who knows many Twilight fans, I think that Twilight is so popular because it’s a beautiful love story. Whether the writing is brilliant or not, people are REALLY able to connect with, and relate to, the story. In my opinion, that’s never something to be taken lightly.
Well, when you have two “HOT actors ” (Taylor and rob)
People will go to see them .
Even adults.
I love the Twilight series…but I think that a comic based on someone’s life is a strange idea, regardless of who that person is.
this news makes me want to vomit. there are plenty of strong women role models. stephanie meyers is not one of them. she makes my ovaries cry.
I think it’s possible that Stephanie Meyer’s popularity was much faster than J.K. Rowling’s. I could be wrong.
Breaking Dawn has been either number one or two since it came out on Entertainment Weekly. It always ends up going back up. The Host is on the list too I think…
It oculd also be because Twilight is geared more towards females and Harry Potter is geared towards kids. As well as Twilght is clearly more popular with ALL ages. Tehre may be adults that like Harry Potter but I think there is definitely a bigger adult fan base for Twilight.
Also, Twilight is still the huige phenonemon. After the HP movie starts to die down, I’m pretty sure Twilight will be dominant again… which it already appears that way.
WRONG! Jk Rowling became big AFTER THE FIRST BOOK came out! She was huge. The media and fans were praising her, and praising the books.
Stephenie just got big last year, because twilight just got big last year. Why? THE MOVIE!
HP actually got big because of the CONTENT. People LOVED the books. It was already big when the first movie came out.
Harry Potter is STILL on the New York Times Best Sellers List, even now 2 years after the last book. Even though its been going strong for over 10 YEARS, a decade, and its STILL doing well. Its number 2 on the list.
Of course Twilight, which like i said just got big last year due to the movie, is still selling. The Host is NOT on the list anymore.
Um… Are you reading what your typing? HP is MORE POPULAR TO ALL AGES! Kids, teens,and MANY adults love it. Twilight is only geared towards females.
That’s it, a few guys like it, but mostly its the ladies. Why? The romance aspect.
Um… HARRY POTTER is THE HUGE phenomenon.
Its sold over 400 MILLION COPIES WORLDWIDE! Twilight has sold 40. one Harry Potter book has sold more then ALL 4 Twilight books combined.
Harry Potter IS the phenomenon. Its a CLASSIC. Its been strong for over 10 years, and its not stopping.
Also, The Last twilight film and last Hp film both come out in 2011. So the HP films won’t be “dying down”
Sure, Twilight is the FAD now, but HP is a classic.
HP IS dominant. Twilight doesn’t even compare.
HP is getting its own freaking THEME PARK.
The only reason Twilight is doing so well is because of this:hot actors/characters.
Why do you think in the Released New Moon clips feature either a shirtless Taylor Lautner, or a shirtless Rob pattinson?
Meanwhile you have HP that has actual plot.
That has won over 20 Literary AWARDS.
Twilight is a fad.
And in two years time, i 100% guarantee that the Twilight fad will be over, and everyone will move on to the next sexy thing.
Meanwhile, HP, has been going strong for over 10 years, why would it stop?!
2011 people…. Watch what happens.
We’ll see which one still will be going strong.
*cough* HARRY POTTER *cough*
I’m not a Twilight fan, but you entire comment makes you sound like a 10 year old. Plus, the fact that you felt the need to write a comment this long in response to an article that has nothing to do with Harry Potter shows an incredible amount of immaturity. It’s not the Twilight fans who are bringing HP into this…it’s the HP fans.
You do sound like a ten year old.
At least I was nice about my comment. That was innapropriate and immature.
I DID say that “I think.”
Twilight was ALSO big before the movie. Maybe not in the same way Harry Potter was.
Then again, I do not know any adults who prefer twilight to hp, but they’ve only seen the movies. And again I don’t know any adults who have read the hp books, but I know PLENTY of adults that read Twilight.
I never said that HP WASN’T a phenomenon I’m saying that the MAIN phenomenon right now is Twilight.
I also heard that TWILIGHT will be getting it’s own theme park.
I do believe New Moon had a Newberry medal. I COULD be wrong. I thought I saw the medal on the New Moon books at Barnes and Noble.
I’ve read ALL books of BOTH series and I actually have yet to find ANYONE who likes HP more than Twilight. I actually was doing an opinion article for a newspaper at my high school and I COULD NOT find anyone who read BOTH series and liked HP better.
Whether or not Twilght is popular in a few years, Meyer will STIll be considered a very influential writer because of her fast rise to fame.
Mark- I was simply telling Lauren that her facts were wrong, and was giving my two cents. If you disagree with my responce, ok. She mentioned HP.
Lauren- I apologize if you thought I was rude. now back to your second comment.
I’m trying to provide facts , actual statistics , whereas your offering what you know.
maybe in Your town/school Harry Potter is not as big, that Twilight is bigger. Fair enough, but OVERALL, HP has had a bigger impact.
Also, I’m pretty sure Twilight is not getting a theme park. What purpose would that be for? HP has a whole different world , whereas Twilight is in forks.
Also, New moon has NOT gotten a Newberry Medal, neither has Harry Potter. Those awards are very hard to get. Sure, Stephenie Meyer is influential, but in MY opinion, I don’t think she’s anywhere close to the league of Oprah, Jo Rowling, Michelle Obama, Princess Diana, and etc.
I think you’re being hypocritical. After all, Lauren WAS the one who mentioned HP and got her facts completely wrong. If you don’t want to read long posts… LEAVE.
Instead of commenting on the post, you are simply causing discrepancies.
personally, I agree with @ Lauren.
Twilight is just not even close to the level of HP, and Stephenie Meyer is no where NEAR as influential as Jo Rowling.
Has Stephenie Meyer ever contributed to charities, NOPE!
All she’s done is given girls false expectations that they’ll find their edward.
1) Twilight is not getting a theme park. That’s the most ridiculous idea. The Reason HP has one is because it has such unique places.
2) Neither New Moon OR Harry Potter has won a Newberry Award.
Those awards are hard to receive.
Mostly they’re for people whose books take on more “real” issues.
Not that HP/Twilight aren’t important… But things like War, and Huger. Things like that.
Also, your High School aint the World, sweetie.
OVERALL, Harry Potter is the bigger phenomenon.
I think Stephenie IS influential but not on the level that Jo Rowling and all those other AMAZING women are.
She’s not even close to that level.
@ TO MARK:
Get your facts straight. HP was brought into this (in like the 3rd comment) by some angry HP fan. It seems that the HP fans feel the need to CONTINUOUSLY mention their books in response to articles that have nothing to do with it.
Obviously Stephenie Meyer has sold nowhere near as many books as JK Rowling (not yet at least), but as others have mentioned, the fact that 1 in 4 books sold in the past year was a Twilight book is NOT something to ignore. That’s incredibly impressive.
In response to what you said about “false expectations”, one could say that Harry Potter has given children an inflated sense of the importance of adventure and “grandeur”.
They ARE doing JK Rowling. I work for them, so I know
God, I hope I did not spill some beans, but every place I go and see this announcement they all say JK is more deserving, but don’t worry, she IS getting on, too.
why don’t we know about it yet?
I have a hard time believing that ‘Twilight’ set women back forty years. Look at how many children are actually reading now thanks to people like Meyer, Rowling etc! I agree, Bella isn’t a strong woman, but it’s not like they are making a copy of the Pussycat Dolls. Bella doesn’t present herself as a whore and at least has a mind of her own.
Bella is weak, and depends on men to constantly save her. Not exactly the best message to send to young girls.
Technically, she always tries to seduce Edward and kisses Jacob when she’s already ENGAGED to Edward, also, when she’s married to Edward she begs him for sex.
That’s pretty slutty to me.
Bella’s not as innocent as people want to pretend she is.
If that’s the case Lilly & Sara, then Catherine in Wuthering Heights was “slutty” and people shouldn’t bother to read that book.
Who said that Bella was innocent?
All her fans say is that she makes her own decisions, even when that’s in opposition with what others want.
All critics have AKNOWLEDGED that catherines character is a horrible example.
Read Twilight ,just stop pretending that bella is so strong.
Emotionally/mentally she’s weak. People keep saying “Oh, bella makes her own decisions”
Uh… Let’s see everything she does is determined by Edward. Edward makes her go to the birthday party even though she doesn’t want to, he decided that they’ll get married, he takes the engine out if her car to keep her from seeing her friend, he’s the one who had alice kidnapp bella, he the one who decides when they’ll have sex, he’s the one who tells Jacob to convince bella to get an abortion.
Jacob is just as bad . He toys with bella, he decides to not be her friend when he turns to a wolf, he’s the one who manipulates bella, he’s the one who kisses her without her consent, he’s the one who says he’ll kill himself if bella won’t kiss him, he’s the one who shoves his guilt on her.
And what does Bella do? Nothing.
She just whines, turns into a zombie when Edward leaves, uses Jacob to feel better, jumps off a cliff ready to die, goes to Edward as a result of that, continues to string Jacob and Edward along, and cries like a baby when she realizes she can’t have both.
Bella only saves everyone in Breaking Dawn because of powers. Not emotional/mental strength.
She’s still weak (emotionally) when she turns to a vampire.
LOL at someone telling someone else to stop “pretending” when that person is just stating his or her opinion. How ridiculous.
Anyways, I know many women whose decisions are influenced (or based upon) their husbands, families, or their careers. I respect a woman’s right to choose her own path.
Bella decides to become a vampire, and have a baby, even though NOBODY wants her to do those things. That makes her strong, in my book. Following your heart, even when others don’t agree with your choices, makes you strong.
And, as a huge fan of Wuthering Heights, I think it’s ridiculous to simplify Catherine’s character by calling her “a horrible example.”
Many critics acknowledge that Catherine made the wrong decision by taking the easy way out, and spent the rest of her life paying for it.
Bella is actually the exact opposite of Catherine. Rather than taking the “easy” way out, and doing what everyone else wanted her to do, she followed her heart. Catherine was never able to follow her heart and be with Heathcliff because of all the sacrifices she would have to make. Bella, on the other hand, made those sacrifices.
Also, in Breaking Dawn, they were ALL vampires. They all had supernatural powers, yet it was Bella who was able to utilize her ability to save everyone.
No it wasn’t, it was Alice. She brought the other half human/ half vampire. That’s what ended the “discussion” with the Volturri.
Stephenie is a WONDERFUL writer! I love the four books in the Twilight series but I am sure that they do not appeal to everyone; I am not a Harry Potter fan but I wouldn’t make negative comments about J K Rowling! Play nice people! We all have a right to our opinons if you don’t like the Twilight series that is fine but they are TONS of people that love it as much as I do!
I agree. I am a fan of both series, and it pains me to read the negative comments about Twilight and Stephenie Meyer. There is room for both in this world and if you don’t like it, you don’t need to be so negative.
I beg to differ with BOTH OF YOU. Stephenie Meyer is a horrible awful. She over describes everything, has no plot, has flat, dull characters, and is a hack writer. You have the fight to your opinion, I have mine. I can say that the books are awfully written because they are.
Its not being negative, its being honest.
Stating your opinion as “fact” when it comes to literature is called being a literary snob. As Jaclyn below indicated, the Twilight books have received many positive reviews (the new york times who called the series a “literary phenomenon”). Sorry, but your opinion is just that: an opinion.
I personally think that Twilight is a beautiful love story. While the writing isn’t perfect, I feel that Meyer is a wonderful storyteller, who has the ability to write in an incredibly intimate and visceral way. Many of us, when reading Twilight, could really feel Bella’s emotions, and we felt like we went on her journey with her.
Sorry but it is a fact that the Twilight series is horribly written. It’s not an opinion. Her stories are filled with plot holes, inconsistencies and Breaking Dawn had the worst editing I’ve ever seen.
Meyer admits to not being that great of a writer.
Liking or disliking the series is an opinion but saying the books are poorly written is a FACT.
@ Devon Blow:
I may not be a fan of the Twilight series, but comments like yours set this whole country back.
I have a degree in literature, and if you had any knowledge of the subject you’d realize that reading is SUBJECTIVE, and the terms “well-written” and “poorly-written” have ever-changing definitions. That’s why a novel like Wuthering Heights was received poorly in it’s time, but is now considered a classics. Those definitions change and are no way “facts”. Also, your claim about how the quality of writing is a “fact” is both laughable and misinformed. Literary debates often center upon discussing the quality of writing of a particular novel, since determining that quality is FAR from being a fact, and is entirely subjective.
In fact, many others disagree with your opinon about Meyer, including the New York Times, Time Magazine and Rolling Stone. It’s really a testament to the ridiculousness of your comment that I actually went and looked up these reviews. Here’s a summary of the reviews for the Twilight saga:
Upon Twilight’s initial publication, the book generally received positive reviews, which acted a catalyst to spread its popularity. The Times praised the book for capturing “perfectly the teenage feeling of sexual tension and alienation”,[39] while Larry Carroll for MTV Movies deemed Edward and Bella “an iconic love story for a whole generation”.[40] Amazon.com hailed the book as “[d]eeply romantic and extraordinarily suspenseful”, while School Library Journal stated, “Realistic, subtle, succinct, and easy to follow, Twilight will have readers dying to sink their teeth into it”.[41] Booklist said, “this dark romance is gripping”,[41] and Norah Piehl of TeenReads wrote, “Twilight is a gripping blend of romance and horror”,[42] The New York Times has described Twilight as a “literary phenomenon”.[43]
Referring to the series’ enduring popularity and fandom, USA Today said, “Move over, Harry Potter”.[44] In addition, Entertainment Weekly hailed Meyer as “the world’s most popular vampire novelist since Anne Rice”.[45] Lev Grossman of Time wrote that the books have a “pillowy quality distinctly reminiscent of Internet fan fiction”, but still praised the series, comparing it to The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter:
People do not want to just read Meyer’s books; they want to climb inside them and live there…There’s no literary term for the quality Twilight and Harry Potter (and The Lord of the Rings) share, but you know it when you see it: their worlds have a freestanding internal integrity that makes you feel as if you should be able to buy real estate there.[15]
Outlining the anticipated release of Breaking Dawn, The Sunday Times called Twilight, “no ordinary vampire series – it boils with desire that all goes painfully unconsummated – and Meyer turns out to be far from an ordinary author”.[
ooooh you have a degree in literature? Good for you. Nobody cares. The books are poorly written… maybe you should reevaluate your education.
@ Mary:
Example of Meyer’s bad writing: In Breaking Dawn, she has her main character make pancakes for her father, Charlie. A few sentences later Charlie is “scowling into his cereal bowl.” ???? The only way I can think to explain inconsistencies like this is bad writing. I think an editor should’ve caught this mistake but really… how does a book with mistakes like this and millions of fans even get published.
While I disagree with stating she is a bad writer as fact when it is indeed an opinion, I do understand it.
If you have read Breaking Dawn, then you should understand it too.
LMAO so true!!!
Candice:
Rather than insult others, maybe you should actually try to make a point in your comment? Your response was both rude, and completely pointless as you didn’t at all add to the discussion
Jackie:
I absolutely agree that Breaking Dawn is written badly. However, I think that Twilight, New Moon and Eclipse are examples of captivating storytelling.
Storytelling ability or not- you have to be able to write well , to be a good writer.
And Stephenies writing got worse in each book, and her ideas got wackier.
Also, a good writer or storyteller would NOT write a book as awful as Breaking Dawn.
Many great writers have written books that didn’t meet their potential. While I didn’t enjoy Breaking Dawn, I absolutely think that storytelling ability is important. Many readers don’t notice whether or not the prose itself is of high quality…and definitions of “good writing” change over time (which is why many “classics” aren’t appreciated in their day). However, if the story is captivating, and really allows people to connect to the characters…well, that’s not something to be taken lightly.
Personally, I believe that a good writer needs to combine Storytelling with Writing Well, to be a good writer.
Although Stephenie has some great ideas, some of her ideas are trash. ( obviously, we know that she’s definitely not great at the writing part)
Example- Imprinting. I will never like this idea.
I personally think that throughout the series, Stephanie’s storytelling was captivating. When it comes to her writing, I think that her prose in New Moon was visceral, intimate, and powerful.
I have to agree with Willa. Stephanie Meyer is showing us that being a strong person is about be willing to make choices that are right for you. Her fictional character, Bella, makes choices that were right for her. Telling us that she weak because you don’t like the choices she made is wrong. Everyday real people make the same choices like her character and that does not make them weak. They do what’s right for them despite the views of others and that makes them strong, just like Bella.
Bella is horrifically immoral! When she decides to become a vampire she understands that she most likely will KILL people and DOES NOT CARE as long as she is with Edward!! How is that strong? That proves her weakness. She is willing to take the chance of murdering people just so she can be happy.
@ Lindsey:
clearly you’re never read the books. She makes it VERY CLEAR that she’s NOT ok with killing people, which is why AS A NEWBORN VAMPIRE, she runs in the other direction when encountering humans. Bella is ABSOLUTELY not ok with killing.
I agree with Tiffani that Bella makes her own decisions, regardless of what others tell her is “right”. That makes her a strong character in my book.
Bella is weak. She always depends on Edward or Jacob to save her.
She whines, wants both Edward and Jacob to be her boyfriendS, and she cries when she has to let one of them go.
Really Bella?
Polygamy isn’t legal Bells.
Ask chief Swan, er, CHARLIE!
She’s so weak.
And In New Moon she practically commits suicide.
Pathetic much.
If that’s the case, then Catherine in Wuthering Heights was a “whiner” and a “polygamist”. Sorry, but I disagree.
Bella is a strong woman who makes her own choices, such as becoming a vampire and keeping her baby, even when nobody wants her to make those choices.
Every critic has AKNOWLEDGED that catherine is an awful woman.
And Bella is.
She’s weak because Edward makes her choices ,
Taking out her car engine , having alice kidnapp her, letting Jacob trick and manipulate her.
Bella’s weak.
She’s not strong .
I’ve read MANY reviews that don’t call Catherine an awful woman, but instead call her a passionate woman who made a wrong decision, and spent the rest of her life paying for it.
If Bella let Edward make her choices, then she would never have become a vampire, nor would she have had her baby, since Edward did NOT want her to do those things. Bella, however, followed her heart and did them anyways, because that’s what was right for her. To me, that makes her strong. Unlike Catherine, who took the easy way out, Bella follows her heart.
Here’s my problem, I don’t disagree with the fact that she turned into a vampire, or had a child.
What bothers me is that she never thinks things through.
She never considered NOT having the baby, she never doubts being turned into a vampire except for maybe 10 pages in Eclipse.
I feel that bella never explores ALL the options. She never SERIOUSLY considers being human, going to college with Edward. (unless she wants sex)
That’s my problem with Bella. She limits herself.
In Eclipse, Bella realizes what she’s giving up. She understands that she’s giving up a human life in which she could have children, still see her family and friends, and in which the passing of time would change her, and be meaningful. She sees that life in her mind, yet she CHOOSES against it because of her love for Edward. She completely understands what she’s giving up, and she chooses to make those sacrifices for true love. I respect anyone who chooses their own path. What’s best for one person isn’t always what’s best for someone else. Bella chooses what’s right for her. To me, that’s the opposite of limiting yourself. Limiting yourself would be choosing the “easy” or “convenient” choice, instead of what your heart tells you is right.
WOW! I thought that CNN’s reporting on politics was ruthless! Who knew that the literary world was equally as shrewd?! It’s unfortunate that comments need to be made about people in such a crude and demeaning manner. Relax, they are simply authors that entertain our minds with FICTION. Be kind . .
but that ruins all the fun…
There’s nothing wrong with criticizing Stephenie meyer.
I completely agree. It saddens me to see the ridiculous immaturity of some of these comments. People on this site are rude, demeaning, and don’t respect each others’ opinions. What’s sad is that I think most of these commenters are adults.
Stephenie Meyer’s is gettting a book because the series is more atractive to a greater deal of ppl n according to the charts the twilight saga is topping them The Twilight books have stayed in the list’s top 10 for 52 consecutive weeks. They held the first four spots a total of 13 weeks in the past year.
Rowling’s first four Potter books were top 10 for 13 consecutive weeks, 24 weeks total, for the first year after Goblet’s publication and held the first four spots for two weeks
according to USA today n who cares just glad its coming out before harry potter =)
Harry Potter books have sold over 400 MILLION COPIES worldwide. Twilght has only sold 40 million. also Harry Potter books have been on the New York Times Best sellers list ( a far more PRESTIGIOUS list) for over 700 Weeks.
Don’t fool yourselves.
Twilight is not even CLOSE to HP’s astounding numbers.
And it won’t reach it.
HP is a classic, twilights a fad that will be over in 2 years.
I personally think that HP is a “fad”, and that Lord of the Rings is a classic. See, that holier-than-thou attitude doesn’t feel so great when it’s directed at you, does it?
I’m not a fan of either series, but as someone who works for a publishing company (and has a degree in english literature), I know that it’s impossible right now to determine which works will have relevance in the future.
Also, Twilight is a four-book series, whereas HP is a 7 book series, and HP has been out for MUCH longer than Twilight has. However, it’s not to be taken lightly that Stephenie Meyer’s books account for 25% of all books sold in this past year. That’s quite staggering.
Perhaps…. But Harry Potter has been going strong for over 10 Years and has not been stopping.
That counts for something.
More so, ONE Harry Potter book, has sold more books then ALL the twilight books combined.
Staggering? Sure. But whether she’ll have lasting power, we’ll have to see.
LOL, how do you know that Rowling will have “lasting power”?
Like you said, we’ll just have to wait and see.
As someone else mentioned, harry potter is 7 books, whereas Twilight is 4, and Twilight has been around for MUCH less time than Harry Potter.
Who knows what will happen in the long run? None of us.
I think that Twilight is just a fad, and that Harry Potter is a classic.
Its been going strong and selling for over a decade.
The HP books are STILL NOW on the New York Times Best Sellers list and tons of other renowned lists.
Whereas Twilight is just a sappy romance novel that eventually people will get over.
Twilight hasn’t been out for a decade. Even so, it’s book sales accounted for 25% of ALL book sales in the last year.
I’m not a Twilight fan, but your comment makes no sense to me. Right now, Twilight’s book sales are staggering, and you really have no basis for presuming that it’s a “fad”. I could say the same thing about Harry Potter…many of my friends already have.
one harry potter book has sold more then all the twilight books combined.
Of course Twilights sales are staggerring right now. It just got big last year due to the movie.
It is a fad because the only reason it’s big, is because of Edward Cullen.
Soon the females will get over him and move on to the next hot hero.
Harry Potter Is still doing well now, is still on the New York Times Best sellers list, has been selling well fir over a decade, and all critics HAVE called it a classic.
I’ll take their word over your friends.
I completely disagree that Twilight is only big because of Edward Cullen. I think it’s big because many readers were able to connect with and relate to the love story. Since you mention the New York Times, they (as well as Time Magazine and Rolling Stone) have called Twilight a literary phenomenon, and have compared it to HP and Lord of the Rings in that the authors have created worlds which the readers “literally want to climb into.”
You can attempt to predict the future all you want…but the truth is, nobody knows. Many books that were considered classics in their day ended up being forgotten, and many books that were not popular in their day, ended up being classics.
I’m sorry, but I 100% disagree that Twilight will be a classic.
It has hype, but that’s temporarily.
There’s so many love stories, who’s to say that this one will last?
Pride and Predjudice, Romeo and Juliet , etc those all stated with us for a reason.
I just can’t imagine twilight being read in 10 years, let alone 50 or more.
Hype for ANYTHING is temporary. What matters is whether or not this story will speak to people years from now. Personally, I think it has the power to do that, but who knows if it will. People’s definitions of “good writing” change over time. What’s considered good at one point in time may later be forgotten, and vice versa. Regardless of whether a series will be remembered or not (whether that be Twilight, Harry Potter, or any other series), what’s important to me is how I feel about the series now…and I won’t let the way I really feel about a novel be influenced by my guesses as to whether or not it will still be relevant in 100 years.
Stephenie Meyer has an amazing story. Look at what a stay-at-home mom has managed to accomplish. A best-selling writing career is nothing to dismiss. Whether you approve or disapprove of the subject matter – people are reading and talking about Twilight. She works hard and deserves her success. That she is a women, wife and mother doing it is even more impressive.
Look at what JK Rowling has done.
She was also a stay at home mom.
More so.. She was a SINGLE PARENT, living on WELFARE.
Whilst Stephenie Meyer was living comfortably at home with her kids, Jo Rowling was saving pennies to care for her daughter.
She is also a WOMAN, a MOM, and a WIFE.
But more so…. She’s the woman who’s changed publishing history. She’s sold over 400 million copies of her books worldwide, she’s the second richest woman in the world (after Oprah).
She’s even outsold Stephen King. An amazing writer who’s had a 30 year career.
I think THAT’S impressive.
Her books are actually good, and full of morals.
Meanwhile, Stephenie Meyer is brainwashing girls into thinking they’ll find their perfect Edward, and that they’ll have a happily-ever-after ending. Not to mention that Twilight promotes Superficiality.
Jo is far more deserving.
LOL, so in order to be considered a successful, influential woman, a woman has to start out on welfare?
According to you, it’s impossible for a woman who started out as a housewife and went on to be a multi-millionare to be considered influential?
How ridiculous.
Also, Twilight does NOT promote superficiality, as can be seen in this quote:
“I love him. Not because he’s beautiful or because he’s rich! I’d much rather he weren’t either one. It would even out the gap between us just a little bit — because he’d still be the most loving and unselfish and brilliant and decent person I’ve ever met. Of course I love him.”
Stephanie Meyer has not out sold Stephen King. If everyone is going to start battling over who’s a better writer by how much they’ve sold then looking up some statistics wouldn’t hurt.
You can’t compare their book sales because not only has Stephen been around for DECADES longer, but he’s written MANY more novels that Stephenie has.
That’s what bugs me. Everyone goes on and on about how Stephenie was a stay-at-home mom.
First off- is that supposed to mean she’s not as intelligent because she stays at home? I’m not a fan if hers but I consider that rude if that’s what people are implying.
Second- I find JK Rowlings story far more interesting and compelling . From being on welfare to the second richest woman in the world.
No you don’t “Have to be on welfare then get rich to be considered succesful” but it’s pretty obvious that before twilight Stephenie HAD a comfortable life.
She got her dream , wrote it, and you know what happens afterwardss .
Whereas JK Rowling, harry potter saved her . it literally did.
I’d much rather hear her remarkable journey then stephenie’s .
That’s my 2 cents.
But still… A comic book? What a weird idea.
I don’t think that its necessary, personally, i think that it makes it far more powerful. That a woman who was virtually at the bottom is now on top. Just saying.
Here’s why I think Twilight is superficial.
Bella calls Tyler, Eric, and Mike geeks, and nerds because they’re average. She never gives them the time of day. All she sees is Edward.
Then in New Moon, Bella says to Jacob “You’re sort of Beautiful.”
Ahh… A beautiful man, with edward gone she moves onto the next good-looking creature.
In Breaking Dawn she THRIVES on being pretty.
She finally feels like she’s worthy of Edward because she’s more beautiful.
I, personally, think that’s superficial.
Bella NEVER called them geeks. Clearly you haven’t read the books.
Also, if you think that Bella only loves Edward because of his looks, then you’re sadly misinformed.
As Bella explains in this quote (and many times before and after this):
“I love him. Not because he’s beautiful or because he’s rich! I’d much rather he weren’t either one. It would even out the gap between us just a little bit — because he’d still be the most loving and unselfish and brilliant and decent person I’ve ever met. Of course I love him. ”
Bella thrives on being a vampire because she’s finally strong enough to actually help the people she loves. It’s Bella who, in the end, saves everyone.
When it comes to Bella making ONE COMMENT about Jacob’s looks…so, in real life, when you comment about your friends looks, if one of them happens to be beautiful, I guess you only love them for their looks, and not for their personality?
What a ridiculous claim to make.
Um, yeah she does. She calls them chess club geeks/nerds . Flip open twilight and you’ll see it.
She however never uses those qualities as reasons to dislike them. EVER.
I agree with Lori. So, if someone notices that a certain person is beautiful, or that another person has certain nerdish tendencies, that somehow makes that person shallow? Give me a break.
Bella is not some weak, whiny teenager who lets others make decisions for her. I don’t know where people even get this stuff. She’s an intelligent 17 year-old, who reads the classics and cares deeply for her friends and family. I don’t think Stephenie Meyer ever set out to make Bella a role model. The point is that she’s a normal teenage girl w/ normal insecurities, yet she has faith in herself, sticks to her guns, and always tries to do the right thing. She cooks and cleans at her father’s house because she is used to taking care of her flaky mother. She likes to cook and the truth is, teenagers should help out around the house. There’s nothing wrong w/ that. In her relationship w/ Edward, she is the stronger one. She knows what she wants the entire time and goes after it. She risked her life to save her mother at the end of “Twilight”, saved Edward at the end of “New Moon”, figured out Victoria’s plan in “Eclipse”, and saved everyone at the end of “Breaking Dawn”. This is a young woman who has no supernatural powers of her own and isn’t afraid to hang out w/ vampires and werewolves. Just because she isn’t Buffy the Vampire Slayer, that does not make her weak. What would Buffy be like if she didn’t have supernatural strength? She’d be a regular girl w/ the same insecurities everyone else has, who would have to rely on her wits. That’s exactly what Bella does.
I totally agree!! What I love the most about Bella is that she is a normal teenage girl with insecurities and strengths. I cooked and cleaned my Dad’s house when I was a teenager, and I’m pretty sure that didn’t make me week. I think that’s called being responsible.
I couldn’t agree more. Well said.
I disagree. Bella is weak. She depends on men to save her. Look at New Moon, she was happy to DIE without Edward there. She only got through it because some other strong man helped pull her though it.
She’s weak, unstable, and completely unrealistic.
NORMAL, SANE girls are not that naive, they wouldn’t obsess over a guy like that. They’d move on.
Bella lets Edward and Jacob decide everything for her.
She lets them manipulate her and make choices for her.
She stands back and does NOTHING.
In Twilight and New Moon, sacraficing herself doesn’t make her look strong, it makes her look WEAK. She goes halfway around the world to save some guy who dumped her? She falls for a killers trap and goes to her mother when it would’ve been smarter to go tell the cullens.
She constantly needs reassurance for everything.
She whines, she’s weak, and she’s selfish.
Shame on Stephenie Meyer.
Twilight is only big because of two words : Edward Cullen.
99.9% of people LOATHE bella.
That’s how annoying she is.
No one gives a crap about her.
I’m going to cut and paste what someone wrote above:
umm, absolutely not. Edward WANTS Bella to have a human life, Jacob wants that too. Also, they all WANT her to give up her baby. She goes against what all of them want, and makes her own decisions based on what’s right for her. She NEVER lets others dictate her choices.
Also, all of us depend on others. We all NEED other people in our lives. To me, really loving someone with all your heart and soul, and being vulnerable to that person, is the action of a strong person.
To me, what sets women back is the idea that women “have” to do anything. The idea that a woman “shouldn’t” love a man with all her heart and soul, and that a woman “should” be passionate about her career…that’s telling a woman what she should and shouldn’t want. I respect a woman’s right to choose her future: whether that future focuses on a man, a family, or a career. I think it’s incredibly oppressive to say that a woman “isn’t allowed” to focus on a man that she’s in love with, but instead MUST focus on her career. To me, feminism is all about choice, and a woman who chooses her own path, like Bella does, is a strong woman.
Yeah…maybe she’s like that in the first book, but in all the others she becomes a whiny, push-over who pretty dies when her boyfriend leaves her. She completely gives up herself and her personality because he wants her too. She hates when he buys her expensive stuff but in the last book she gives up the truck she loves for a sports car. She doesn’t talk to her friends or family anymore. She lets him control her just because he’s scared she’s going to get a scratch. Yeah…she’s really strong alright.
I don’t believe in categorizing peoples’ experiences. I’ve been through a few traumatic things in my life, but that in no way means that I’ll trivialize the pain that Bella feels over losing her soulmate.
She NEVER gives up her personality. If that’s the case, she would’ve never become a vampire, nor would she have kept her baby, since nobody wanted her to do those things. She NEVER lets men dictate her choices, she chooses what’s right for her, even though that may not be what others want or expect from her.
When it comes to the car and money, so you’re saying any woman who doesn’t like expensive things, yet caves in when their boyfriend/husband wants to buy those things for her because he loves her, is somehow weak?
What a joke.
Edward CHOSE to put himself in danger, and Bella responded to that by saving his life, even though she has NO supernatural powers to protect her.
In Breaking Dawn, they’re ALL vampires, and many of them have supernatural abilities, yet its BELLA who saves them all. She’s the one who’s able to use her abilities to save everyone’s life.
She absolutely comes to the rescue in New Moon, and Breaking Dawn.
Bella makes her own decisions. Which is why she becomes a vampire, and has a baby, even though NOBODY wants her to do those things. She doesn’t let others choose her path for her.
Bella doesn’t save everyone in BD, Alice does. She brings the other half human/half vampire.
Same thing with New Moon, Alice saved BOTH of them by showing to Aro that bella will turn.
Also, it was bella’s fault Edward was in Italy.
Um… Get your facts straight, Buffy doesn’t HAVE “supernatural strength”.
She works, trains, and Develops that strength.
That’s more then I can say for Bella.
She just waits for people to save her.
Buffy actually HAS wits. She’s not afraid to make the tough decisions. In New Moon, bella found out that Jacob is a wolf and she thought that he was killing people.
What does she do? She GOES to him and says,” if it was anyone else I wouldn’t do this”
Really Bella? Even though he wasn’t a killer, the fact that she STILL went there and thought well if it was someone else I’d stay away from them.
Meanwhile BUFFY, sent her own boyfriend, whom she loved, to hell because she knew it was the right thing to do.
Buffy is 1000000 times stronger then Bella mentally.
Bella’s the most pathetic, weak damsel In distress.
Actually, Bella does have supernatural strength. She trains and works, but she still has “above the ordinary” strength.
Bella WASN’T SURE that he was a killer. So, you’re saying that she should’ve just made an assumption, rather than finding out the truth? Because instead of jumping to conclusions, she actually did find out the truth, which is that he WASN’T killing people.
Again, with the morons who don’t read the books. Bella saves Edward in New Moon and saves everyone in Breaking Dawn. Just because a woman isn’t “ass-kicking” like Buffy, that doesn’t make her weak.
correction: “Actually, BUFFY does have supernatural strength.”
Way to be mature and call someone you DONT know a moron.
Secondly, it’s clear she HAS read the books.
Also, the only reason Edward went to Italy in the first place was bella’s fault. She jumped off a cliff and was ready to die. That’s suicide. Plus in BD, she saves people because of her powers not because emotionally/ mentally she’s stronger.
She’s still just as weak in Breaking Dawn.
People love Buffy not because she “kicks ass” but because she’s mentally strong.
She doesn’t cry or whine when she doesn’t get her way.
Bella is weak. She let’s others make her decisions. Such as Jacob manipulating her, Edward taking out her car engine, etc.
She’s weak, and a terrible example.
Edward CHOSE to put himself in danger, and Bella responded to that by saving his life, even though she has NO supernatural powers to protect her.
In Breaking Dawn, they’re ALL vampires, and many of them have supernatural abilities, yet its BELLA who saves them all. She’s the one who’s able to use her abilities to save everyone’s life.
She absolutely comes to the rescue in New Moon, and Breaking Dawn.
Bella makes her own decisions. Which is why she becomes a vampire, and has a baby, even though NOBODY wants her to do those things. She doesn’t let others choose her path for her.
It was bella’s fault Edward went to Italy.
Also, ALICE, saves everyone in Breaking dawn by bringing the half human/half vampire.
Also, ALICE saved both Edward and bella in new moon by showing Aro that bella will turn into a vampire.
to @ Rachel:
Edward CHOSE to go to Italy. I don’t believe in putting that blame on her. She had no way of knowing that Alice would “see” what she did, and that Rosalie would tell Edward. And, once he made that decision, Bella did everything in her power to save him. And, in the end she did.
In Breaking Dawn, Bella’s ability to shield them from Jane ABSOLUTELY helped save them.
It was Alice who saved the day in both new moon and breaking dawn.
Stephenie Meyer is an excellent writter who has captured many people’s imagination and has inspired teenagers and adults alike to read more. I do not see what is negative about this and she is not a bad writer.
Stephenie Meyer is a horrible writer.
She can’t write at all! She uses purple prose, her characters are dull, she over-describes everything, she promotes superficiality, and all she’s done is give Teenage girls false expectations that they’ll find some Perfect Edward Cullen that will save them and cherish them forever. The characters don’t have a choice in anything. Such as imprinting and bella and edward’s love.
Bella said that she doesn’t have a choice, she HAS to be with edward.
She is a terrible writer.
Stephen King said it best, “she can’t write worth a darn.”
Uncle Stevie Knows best.
Stephen King’s books COMPLETELY lack emotion. As someone who is an avid reader, I can say that his stories are intriguing, but he absolutely doesn’t know how to write emotion. So, he really isn’t one to judge.
Also, in life, sometimes you don’t get to “choose” who you love. Sometimes, love just hits you, and you have to choose how you’ll deal with it. As an adult, I think that Twilight promotes the idea of choosing the path that’s right for you, even if it’s not what others want or expect from you. Neither Edward nor Jacob wants Bella to become a vampire, yet that’s the path she chooses, because it’s what’s right for HER.
As Charlie said in Eclipse:
“The right thing isn’t always obvious. Sometimes the right thing for one person is the wrong thing for someone else. So… good luck figuring that out.”
I agree with Dreya. I wish that Bella held her own more and was tougher. I feel like she always counted on stronger people to help her. That was disappointing. I feel like Bella just is degrading to woman, and us teens. As a teen girl, I am APPALLED by the things Bella does.
She just gives up her whole life for a guy.
Even if they don’t want her to do it, she chooses to.
I feel like sure, maybe that was the path Bella was supposed to take.
But what does that say to readers?
To give up our family, friends, hopes, dreams just to have a shot at true love.
I just wish that Bella wasn’t so weak at times. That she stood up for herself. That she wasn’t so passive.
She always depends on Bella and Jacob to save her.
Emotionally , she’s just so weak.
A far BETTER female Teen is Rose from the Vampire Academy series.
A girl that is tough, yet vulnerable and that always sticks to her morals. She would kick bella’s as* anyday!
Bella decides that what SHE wants more than anything, is to be with Edward. I know many women in real life who decided to give up their careers to focus on their families. Does that make them weak? Absolutely not, and I think it’s insulting to women to imply that. As long as a woman CHOOSES her path, then I consider her to be strong.
And also, I resent the fact that some people think a woman has to be “ass-kicking” in order to be strong.
Also, I can’t STAND the Vampire Academy Series.
I agree! Stephen King knows what he’s talking about. and HE CAN write Emotion , Caitlin! Snobby much.
Karana- I disagree. Bella lets others make decisions for her. She gets influenced by what others want a lot. The things that SHE DOES want just make her selfish.
Like wanting to be with both edward and jacob.
Also- As* kicking doesn’t have to mean just being physically strong, mentally too.
Vampire Academy IS amazing.
Rose (the lead female) is stronger then Bella mentally and psychically. She doesn’t whine and cry when she doesn’t get her way.
She’s TOUGH. I respect her way more then Bella.
Actually… i have NO respect for Bella.
I agree that Stephen King can’t write emotion. His stories are intriguing, but I never “feel” for the characters.
Actually, Bella doesn’t let others make her decisions. Which is why she becomes a vampire, and has her baby, even though NOBODY wants her to do those things.
While I enjoy Buffy, I think it would be boring if all of my favorite characters were tough and gritty. I like that Bella isn’t like Rose or Buffy, yet she is still strong enough to make her own decisions in the face of opposition.
Stephen King can write emotion. Just because it’s not obsessive lust, doesn’t mean he can’t write it.
Personally, I don’t care for the twilight characters. There’s always one or more characters people hate.
Usually it’s Jacob, Bella, leah, and rosalie.
A good writer would not make their leading protagonist so unlikeable to people.
I know some people like her, but MOST, according to polls don’t.
Also, buffy and rose are a lot stronger mentally then bella is.
She’s weak. She turns into a zombie without Edward, attempts suicide, and uses another pretty boy to make her feel better again.
Not to mention that she let’s Jacob force himself on her, Edward remove her car engine, etc.
She’s weak and degrading to females.
This is ABSOLUTELY untrue. Many novels have protagonists that are unlikeable. Since people keep bringing it up, Wuthering Heights is a good example of this. Catherine and Heathcliff are certainly not likeable, but Emily Bronte is definitely a talented writer.
As other have said, Bella makes her own choices, even though NOBODY wants her to become a vampire or have her baby. She does what’s right for her, in the face of opposition. To me, that’s strength.
Emily Bronte MADE catherine like that on purpose.
Whereas Stephenie wanted bella to be the likeable , average girl. She’s not .
That’s why there’s Team Edward and team Jacob , but no team bella.
People care more about the male lead then the female protagonist.
Okay. You lost me at “Stephenie Meyer is an excellent writter”…I can’t take anyone seriously who starts off a sentence like that.
I can’t take anyone seriously who won’t read a whole post because of the first sentence.
K, this thread is super wacky – dragging Harry Potter into it, and now Stephen King too?
I probably shouldn’t contribute to the madness, but I have to respond to whoever said Stephen King can’t write emotion. By that, I assume you mean he doesn’t write the best ROMANCE (defined by teenage girl standards, natch), because I can’t think of that many writers who can capture the relationships between siblings, friends, parents/children, even total strangers the way Stephen King can.
And as far as romantic relationships go, I have to say that not all emotion is about the hormonal attachment between a 100 year old dead guy and his 17 year old girlfriend who likes to sit on his lap.
Nope, I disagree. I think that Stephen King writes intricate stories, but I don’t think that he writes characters whose emotions I can feel.
LOL at you using the fact Bella “sits on his lap” as a criticism somehow? Every once in a while, I’ll sit on my boyfriend’s lap. Sry, but it doesn’t make me weak.
P.S.- You’re sadly misinformed if you think that all Twilight fans are teenagers. I certainly am not.
stephenie meyer is a terrible writer. She’s like mcdonalds, bad for you, yet still making the money.
McDonalds is way better than that twilight writer.
LOL, when is your book coming out?
Based on your “insightful” comments, I’m sure it’ll be great.
A person has every right to critique a book. Whether they’re an author themselves or not.
People give SO much credit to Stephenie Meyer, but it’s NOT that hard.
Write a story about a perfect, hot supernatural guy and a normal girl who falls for him. DONE . You got the next best seller. It’s not that the books are good, it’s that the publishers KNOW teens will like it.
Its all a business.
I’m not Gaby, nor am I a Twilight fan, but I think your comment is ridiculous. Even the New York Times has acknowledged that Meyer has the rare ability to create a world that readers “literally want to live in”.
Your comment is laughable.
If it’s so easy, then go ahead and publish your book. See what happens.
Way to be mature.
The NYT also has said that the only reason Twilight is succesful is because of Edward Cullen.
The NYT has also said that Twilight, Harry Potter, and Lord of the Rings, have that undefinable literary quality which makes it so that readers literally want to “crawl into the world” that the authors have created.
Maybe you all should learn to form an opinion instead of just quoting what the New York Times says.
I agree!!!! Stop quoting what the Times, and all the other magazines have to say.
But I have to disagree.
No way is Twilight on the same level as LOTR, and Harry Potter.
The three great fantasy series: Lord of the Rings, Chonicles of Narnia, and Harry Potter.
Not Twilight.
Twilight should be on the list of paranormal/supernatural romances.
LOL, there’s nothing wrong with people quoting a magazine or a newspaper in order to make a point.
Twilight isn’t the same kind of story as LOTR or HP. At its core, it’s a love story. Thus, its emphasis is not on the supernatural.
However, I agree that it does have that undefinable quality that makes you want to “crawl into the world” that the author has created. Other than that, I see no similarities between Twilight, HP and LOTR, other than the fact that they’re all popular.
Stephenie Meyer is a horrible writer. I’ve read all 4 books and theyre terrible. The plot is dull, bella Is weak, breaking dawn was a horrible book.
Not to mention that Stephenie Meyer is a hack.
She punished her fans by saying that she won’t finish midnight sun and she said it’s her readers fault for not liking breaking dawn because they “didn’t understand it and they’ll learn to like it.”
She’s a hack, milking off of her so called “success”
And twilight is a fad that will be done in two years since that’s when the last movie comes out.
Maybe then some amazing new series that deserves praise will come out.
I appologize if you thought i was being rude. I was simply telling you that your facts were wrong.
Twilight , as far as i know, is not getting a theme park. That makes utterly no sense as how twilight takes place in forks and harry potter has more unique locations.
Also, New Moon has not won a Newberry award. Neither has ANY of the HP books. Those awards are very tough for authors to receive.
In addition, In MY opinion, I just think that Stephenie Meyer is no where near as influential as JK Rowling. She has contributed to literacy, she’s donated to charities, and has accomplished extraordinary things.
Is Stephenie Meyer influential? Yes. But on the same level as these other amazing woman, No.
that’s my opinion, and if you disagree, fine.
Ok, I see that many Twilight Fans are being FAR too rude to people who don’t think that Stephenie deserves this “title.”
Lame
If someone disses your precious stephenie you all go nuts.
and I see that, as usual, the Harry Potter fans have somehow brought HP into their responses, even though this article has nothing to do with HP.
I’m not really a fan of either series, but both sides here are being ridiculous.
She didn’t mention HP…you did.
@ Me:
I mentioned HP BECAUSE within the very first few responses to this article, HP was mentioned, even though this article has nothing to do with HP.
You should actually read the comments before you respond to my post.
Seriously???
Stephenie Meyer will be forgotten in 2 years anyway when the twilight movies are over.
Then the little girls/teens/their moms will flock to the next romance novel.
Obviously, she doesn’t deserve this title.
Influence is subjective.
Arguably, You could say Britney Spears is influential with all the success and fame she’s had.
That’s “influence.”
amen!
I could say the same thing about Harry Potter. Hype over anything eventually dies down. In a few years, people will “flock” to the next magical adventure. However, if you like Harry Potter, or Twilight, that doesn’t make the series any less influential to you.
Hype dies down, but sometimes a classic is a classic. Whether Harry Potter or Twilight will be one, we’ll have to see.
She’s influential alright!
She crushed the little teeny boppers dreams when she said that she won’t continue with Midnight Sun.
That’s influence alright!
Is it a good thing?
Uh…. no.
Those other women, excluding Sara Palin, have done amazing things.
Well, seeing how EW gave Breaking Dawn a D, and they gave Harry Potter 7 an A-, I’m gonna have to say I’m Team Rowling.
But,They’re making a comic for her too, so whatever.
If you don’t want the Stephenie Comic (i don’t know who would?) then just don’t get it.
Maybe it’ll be discontinued or something.
I don’t think she deserves it, but whatever.
Twilight is a fad and once the movies over…. People will shut up about it.
Just like once the HP movies are over, people will shut up about them. It doesn’t mean that the fans will “disappear”. They’ll just quiet down once things get less exciting.
Also, as Jaclyn pointed out in her post (below), Twilight has ABSOLUTELY received positive reviews from prestigious critics. Even though Breaking Dawn was not received well, Twilight, New Moon, and Eclipse, were.
No, Tons of reviewers, critics,journalists,newspapers gave scathing reviews.
Now I’m not a twilight fan OR a harry potter fan.
I Think it should be aknowledged that twilight *gasp* has
received criticism and so has harry potter.
EVERY book does. So I thought your comment was far fetched.
I don’t think that Karana was saying that Twilight received ONLY positive feedback. I read her comment as saying that Twilight has received SOME positive feedback from prestigious critics.
Obviously, every book receives criticism.
Twilight Sucks
End of story.
haha, way to sound like a pouty 5 year old.
Your the one who sounds pouty.
I’m not a fan of Twilight or HP, but saying “Twilight sucks. End of story” does sound like something a child would say. I’ll have to agree with Bridget.
I agree. It does suck. There’s no need to elaborate.
If you don’t believe in “elaborating”, then why are you on an entertainment site, that focuses on discussing various forms of entertainment?
I may not be a Twilight fan, but your comment is quite ridiculous.
Personally, I’d rather read a comic on someone else: such as barbra Walters, queen noor, and yes…. Even JK Rowling. No offense to Stephenie. Just not a fan.
Even so, I still think a comic book as a biography is weird. Is it that people are to lazy to read a book they need a comic?
Lame!
I’m a middle aged published author of children’s fiction and I think some commentaters need to sit back and chill a bit. If the Twilight or Harry Potter series, or any other book, gives kids/adults a few hours of pleasure, how can that be wrong? It’s insulting to people’s intelligence to say that a series of books read mostly by children would influence their whole lives. I’m sure Stephenie Meyer and J K Rowling don’t give two hoots about who is the most influential author of the past year. Sure the size of their bank accounts would influence the number of books they write, but that also directly reflects the number of people who have purchased their books and they would be stupid not to take advantage of their popularity. It’s a tough world out there if something as innocent as a fantasy book give people some respite I say go for it.
As much as it pains me to admit, her books have been pretty influential. However, whether or not its positive influence is up for debate.
The fact still remains that she is a hack writer. Sorry, she is. I’m not a “literary snob”. It doesn’t take a genius to see that she isn’t a good writer. Good story teller? maybe. Good writer? NO.