Why So Hard On Steph?

[ccrstarpanda]

I'm working on a story, but it's not for MONEY, which is as it should be :D , but I DO find it very frustrating that Smeyer got so much praise, while I'm bustin' my ass over here trying to carefully craft my story to make it the best it can be! (AND, it's especially annoying because my story has a character who falls in love, but it's a difficult, even heartbreaking at time experience, and Bella gets such an easy ride, argh!)

[hotwhire]

How can Edward not read her mind at will but can read her mind when she's in danger?

[kipkayify]

I really loved your analogy in the beginning. It seems to fit your problem perfectly. And trust me, I feel your pain =(

[MizzBookGirl]

Hey! I really love your videos. I was wondering if you've ever read Nightshade by Andrea Cremer. I really want to hear your thoughts on it. =)

[DjHamHam411]

Some idiots are comparing Hunger Games to Twilight just because HG is being turned into a movie and sorta has a love traingle between the two main characters. Stfu asshats! Does twilight have kids killing kids, a good story, developed characters, or a Dystopian society? No. :D

[Maikkacrackshiper13]

My friends h8 twilight, but they like fallen, & shit like that... So I hav no one 2 really lean on 4 writing. I'm by myself. Every1 is so sick of me talking about my series. But I luv it so much, I want to finish it, but it so exhausting.... I don't know where to even begin. I hav so many plot holes 2 smooth put, I need 2 start doing research so I'm not like smeyer. Its terrible.

[Maikkacrackshiper13]

6. Freakin. Months. I've been writing since 6th grade!!!! I'm 14 now, & it's November. It's been almost a year since I started my latest book that I've been SERIOUS about writing. It's been almost A YEAR. U know how far I am in2 my series? Page 0. Zilch. Nada. Zip. Nothing. I'm still working on the ideas! Wat the hell smeyer! & FYI, my book was not inspired by a wet dream.

[SlavicPagan1300]

@Maikkacrackshiper13 And for your efforts alone you are already better than Meyer.:)Dont give up.

I am also writing my book for already a year and still there are many things for correction.I already have idea for almost the entire story, but still awaits me a lot of work.And I actually dont mind, if this will makes me better than all the mediocre writers around like Meyer.

[ElfmaidOfMirkwood]

Six months?! What the hell? You know, most writer spend a few years on the rough ideas, do several edits and rewrites before they even think of sending it out to be considered by publishers. No wonder Twilight was so full of errors and contradictions. That is one big fail, and as a writer I'm insulted that someone who put in so little effort has gained so much praise and success. J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis and many more took years and put effort to earn their praise, which they truly deserve!

[TearsofWolves]

I feel the same way. I've been writing since I was eight years old, and I've been working on my first novel for two years now. It's just unfair that writers who put their sweat, blood, and tears into a work in order to make it incredible have to stay in obscurity while Stephanie freaking Meyer makes millions off of her wet dream-inspired schlock.

[Desertgirlinc]

the reason why books deserving of acclaim don't get it, is because society's youth is getting dumbed down! i mean, people compare HP to Twilight. That's how sad the youth has become. It's like comparing apple and oranges. Meyer only appeals to the youth because she is good at targeting children who are into a book that is bland, but easy to follow along.

[Coquinaful]

I agree. So many writers slave over a 'hot notepad' for many months/years, to produce a good book. Suddenly, Twilight comes out of nowhere...and knocks them on the ground.

Seriously, I don't believe that some books are mature and overly complicated people. I believe that some people aren't mature enough to read said books with a complicated plot.

Don't dumb down your plot/ideas for anybody. It's their problem if they don't get the concept/ themes/symbolism of the story.

[futurecullen123]

Plus, I hate how all these former girl HP fans are like "Ugh HP is so boring and gay, now I'm into Twilight!" It's so frustrating because HP beats Twilight on SO many levels. Grrr, trust me, you're not alone in this Smeyer hate. I don't think I'm jealous of SMeyer because when I think about her crazy rabid fans, I think "Um, no thank you" but her attitude is really frustrating. She makes it seem that writing isn't work, and it's just a bunch of dreams. Ick.

[futurecullen123]

You must be a really good writer because you've been working for so long at a young age. Plus, you have read really good books at a young age (some of my favorites). To be honest, I would much rather be you, a great, hardworking writer who does her research and is educated, rather than her, a hyped up, lazy author with over-rated sexual fantasy books. Don't be too jealous of Steph! Trust me, I know more people (who aren't immature) than criticize her than like her!

[ISeeAnIdiot]

hm...Are you a writer? I'd love to read something from you :)

[GavnerWinterLuver]

I agree. I am wrting horror vampire fiction. I have studied, I am on my 18th Stephen King book. I have read twilight- breaking dawn and thought it was fanfic, just like you. I hate that I have to campare to.... nonsense.... What is your series called?

[devilshomie]

If Meyer's would at least try to write better then maybe I would like her [and that's a big maybe] but no despite the six books she's publish [I think it's six] there all still terrible you would think she would have someone critque the first book and take there advice but no she's stuck up in her fantasy world where everyone loves her crap. Teen girls would buy anything these days

[Optymystykal]

Actually i agree with a lot of the stuff u say.....but wat if her writing had a higher purpose....not trying to go all freaky mystical spirit on you but i got inspired to write a BETTER story than i originally came up with because of her....and a lot of peoples lives are more positive too.....but dnt bash me i am some wat of a twilight fan but i do pay attention to the plot whole and gunk....but over all it is a gud story

[ooshiikurai]

kinda makes you think that they just hand out master degrees where she went to school, huh?

[808Lana]

(Cont.) Meyer got published fast but look @ the genre she chose to write in (YA has been blowing up for over 10 years, also ROMANCE accounts for 60 percent of all book sales). She moved fast (wrote it in 3 months) and obviously YA crowd spends $. Do like SM and get published 2.

[808Lana]

@Stinaisachibi (Nov. 18/2010), it did NOT take JK Rowlings 6 years to get HP published. Rubbish. I read a comment on another site where 1 girl said it took JKR 15 years to pen HP. Also rubbish, and STUPID. Stop using JKR as your example people; she's 1 in a million, U r NOT.

[TheOwlking1996]

I want to write complex and detailed stories too. I'm trying not to brag but my writing is a heck of a lot better than smeyers(I'm sure yours is too) but I'm going to get overlooked but the majority of readers who just want to read watered down versions of what should be complex novels.

[Nami608]

Ooops...I just looked at the cover of Vampire Academy and just sighed and judged it for being another twilight saga...Stephenie Meyer has already gotten to me without me even noticing, but you know what? I'm not gonna let her anymore! Thank you MelinaPendulum! :D

[ZeroMyHero99]

@Nami608

Don't read the House of Night! Abandon all hope, ye who enter here.

[Nami608]

@ZeroMyHero99 Haha, ok. Thanks for the heads up! XD

[Stinaisachibi]

you know, it took J.K.Rowling 6 years to get HarryPotter published...

[1994PandaBeth]

and u neednt worry about being compared to twilight because what u write will somewhere be read by someone who will appreciate it for what it is not what it can be compared to and that's the aim for all writers, isn't it? :)

[1994PandaBeth]

btw, ive been trying to prove to my cousin - who is a twilight addict - that there are a lot of plotholes. but ive not been able to argue against her properly because ive not read all the books because it IS boring and it IS bad literature. if u can, can u make a video on going through the plotholes? that'd help me win this war >:) thanks, if u do. thanks for reading, if u cant. oh, and i dont kno why she loves twilight when she reads things like tolkien and bronte etc

[futurecullen123]

I agree with you completely! And I totally understand how you feel! SM did not do any research or put any effort into her story, and there are so many mistakes! Along with the one you mentioned, in BD at the beginning when CHarlie was supposed to be eating waffles, he was suddenly scowling into his cereal bowl. (I'm sure you've heard this one). All mature people I have met do not consider Twilight literature. Don't give up! Not all good stories are about sappy romance :)

[HellAngelsBells]

Stephenie Meyer is the reason why I have so many drafts of just one story in my room; if I pick up on a flaw that's carried through my notebooks, I'll run out and get another one and start again. And when I check through those notebooks right before I type them up, I'm always constantly editing stuff out. It's funny, I'm sixteen and I can do this easily, but Stephenie Meyer is probably nearing her forties by now and she can't do jack squat. Why does she deserve the publicity for no real effort?

[kelseyhm]

@HellAngelsBells i know :) it took her what 6 months to write it? it shows she has sooo many flaws in her books..especially just those extremely obvious ones when she couldve just done a little bit of research or looked at a map. i dont think she deserves the publicity at all. the books are to simple and to much the same as each other and lack a real...something.

[thedeadcthulhu]

you really do have a point

[cherryflower2124]

I agree with everything you say about SM, but just on the Twilight series. While yes, it is bad writing, her other book is actually well written in my opinion.

The Host pwns Twilight on so many levels its crazy. I actually hate that that book is so overlooked because it had its own originality in the Sci-fi/romance genre.

I understand if ppl have their doubts about her writing, but i suggest reading the host, its THE best book she's ever written.

[MelinaPendulum]

@cherryflower2124 I read the host and quite honestly, the story was so terrible, imo, that I couldn't even comment on the writing.

[darkmizuki]

@MelinaPendulum i agree that The Host is terrible, must be one of the most boring book i have ever read, ARGH!

[TheTwilightSagaSucks]

@MelinaPendulum smeyer is the worst author on earth i own the book and and i could not get thru it myself

[twilightguardian]

@cherryflower2124

I read the summary on her website when the Host first came out and by the end of it all I could think of was "Wow... She ripped off of Animorphs."

And I'm pretty sure K.A.Applegate did it better.

[cherryflower2124]

@twilightguardian She ripped off Animorphs? I've never read it but if i'd known. I actually agree now on how bad the story is...but I still can't help but be interested in the book. Eh *shrugs*

[twilightguardian]

@cherryflower2124

In Animorphs you have a race of alien parasitic slugs who have come to Earth to enslave humans. They do this by crawling into their ears and taking over the humans' brains and control the humans. The humans are called Controllers, as they are fully controlled by the Yeerks. They can't keep any secrets from the Yeerks, though they try.

To me, the only real difference is that her slugs "glitter" which is basically another wording for sparkle. This woman clearly has an obsession.

[cherryflower2124]

@twilightguardian O_o Wow! And what is with her and shiny things!? Gosh...

[TheBookwurm82]

@twilightguardian this is also a plot for the movie the Faculty in which an alien race came and took over a small town

[nicolebmoviesFTW2]

@cherryflower2124 Her writing is good in your opinion? Your opinion is fucking scary, then.

[BlueDolphin2011]

You seemed on the brink of tears. I'd like to read your work. 

[ilovefunone]

I freaking agree with everything you said here. I am very afraid for this generation. Lets hope this is one freaking long phase these people are going through, and it will be over once the movies are done.

If you want to be a writer, I beg you to please not give up. :D

[MegaFLyHigh1]

I agree with everything you say about Stephaine Meyer, but I do feel sorry for her though because I have a feeling that they only published it because they knew it will appeal to teens (not because they thought it is a good book) I don't hate Twilight but there are so many greater books out there.

[GomeztheWolf]

Very good argument.

I don't read a lot, but I remember being in love with Harry Potter books because of the storyline. And how Harry seemed to become more involved with himself and his past, rather than his friends. He developed throughout the story, even if it was for the worse. And I honestly got angry.

It seems that if I read Twilight(which I won't because I hate the way Meyers writes), whatever Edward does wouldn't affect me, because it would seem like something he would do normally.

[xXKuroTenshi666Xx]

I know exactly how you feel. I want to be a writer so badly & I have this idea in mind for a books series that is centered around demons. I started writing the first book when the first Twilight wave hit the shore & every girl I showed it to *at the time was only the prolouge* asked me the same thing "Is it about vampires?" & for the past couple years, I'm having trouble bringing myself to write this book because of that. As of now I have only 4 and half chapters done! What keeps you writing?

[kelseyhm]

love your videos , they are all completely true cause young adult writers..not all of them of course but alot of them are writing these cliches and stereotypical books with basically no plotline. and its really boring to read a book with no plot, or an extremely simple plot...harry potter and the libba bray books (for example ) are amazing cause they kinda leave stuff to the imagination and then stuff ties together in the end :)

[HellAngelsBells]

@kelseyhm I HATE those types of books, too. It's the simple books that collect dust on my cupboard.

[kelseyhm]

@HellAngelsBells :) same with me...i always feel the need to finish them though whenever i buy one for some strange reason or else i feel i cheated the book or something...thats why i read twilight the whole way through lol..one tiny hope of something reaaaally exciting :)..not that it happened in the end.

[VioletTeen17]

Steph IS afread to take risk's with her characters, I read on a website that she wished she could take back bree's death so she could live on, because she feels emotionally attatched to her now..... :( Dont get emotionally attatched to your characters people, bad things will happen if you do.

[DemonicRemption]

@VioletTeen17 I thought emotional attachment kind've helps in character development... Basically you develop a character that some people will like and miss once they are killed off.

[HellAngelsBells]

@VioletTeen17 I get emotionally attached to my characters, but I've managed to kill them off without regret :) I find that I need to get attached to them for me to get how they would feel in certain situations. I'm not afraid to throw them into the path of danger and get them hurt. It's just Steph is ... well, a weak person and that shows through her characters. She's talked about the fight or flight mode, but it doesn't take a genius to work out which one she'd take.

[MoonPhase94]

As someone who has being writing for two years on one story, (hopefully will be published,) I find Meyer being called a genius disgusting.

[barbie88888888]

Stephanie meyer should have deleted bella from the story and made jasper the main character. I mean, he acually has a goal in life.

[1000huzzahs]

Know what? she wanted to cook with the big kid writers. Well, if she can't take the heat, then she can get outa the damn kitchen.

[Ambrelune]

Dunno if you got my point ^^' (sry, I'm French and my English is very poor) so I'll try to clarify :

Don't be jealous of Stephenie Meyer, she's just a poor writer and I will never consider her as a true writer. I'm sure that many people agree with me and share my point your view.

Now she has everything for her, but what about in ten years ?

Unlike Twilight, next generations will read and enjoy J.K Rowling for example.

[Ambrelune]

In five years, I think (or at least I hope) that Twilight will be forgotten.

But if you are a true writer, if you really work hard on what you do and if you write for yourself and not for money or popularity I believe that things are different.

If your book is written with conviction, there's no reasons you can't succeed. Maybe it will take time, maybe it will hard for you to find a publisher or a public, but at least you'll get real fans who will remember you.

[Ambrelune]

Well, you know, I don't think that Twilighters are really fond of of literature... Real vampire literature, I mean. For what I've observed until now, they're just reading Twilight and enjoying it without asking themselves questions.

So yeah, nowadays you just have to come with a story full of holes but with shiny perfect beautiful characters and a soapy love story and you get published.

But I don't think that most of your fans are serious. I think that Twilight success is temporary.

[MorbidGuardian]

As with any art form, the more accessible product will be more famous. Simpler plot lines=greater sales, at least nowadays. Personally, I won't stoop myself to that level, and I think a more complex book can sell if it's written well enough.

[chocolytesprynkles]

i agree. meyers was afraid to take risks. BD could have been amazing if meyers let things happen instead of making everything so peachy and innocent

[EGLchan]

And now we have Kristen Stewart with no acting training and -skills as the lead part in the screen adaption of a best seller. I've heard very talented actors talk about the hardest times in their career, and it's unfair enough that some have to struggle while others just get the fame handed to them, but now you don't even have to deserve it.

[chocolytesprynkles]

@EGLchan K.S.'s dad is a producer, isn't he? he has a job in the business. i agree, though. kristen's acting needs a lot of work. she was very wrong for the twilight saga. she has like a one track mind

[EGLchan]

Knowing someone in the business is a great way to get in, not being given a free ticket to it. It's your skills that (should) keep you there, not because someone you know works there.

[chocolytesprynkles]

@EGLchan i know that is true and i agree with you. a lot of times in the acting business if someone has a famous parent or a parent that's a producer or director they get their parents to get people to check them out even if they're not that great at acting. happens a lot and it's not fair to the people who dont have those connections who can really really act, but that's how it is sometimes.

[EGLchan]

Yes, but I gotta say: despite all this, I'm not jealous of her. I'd rather have a "normal" income and little success and be remembered as a good actress/*anything else in case I change my mind xD* rather than making millions, living in Hollywood and be listed as the no1 overrated movie star.

[EGLchan]

I'm pursuing acting - especially voice acting - , and this kind of thing in this business happens all the time. Just look at DreamWorks: they constantly cast celebrities for the (animated) characters even if they're not good at voice acting.

[EGLchan]

I'm glad you fixed your intro! I appreciate it. :D Love ur vids.

[Nefariousity]

Once more, your comments are epic. I agree with everything you said about what it does to YA authors. I'm working on a story myself and even though there is some romance in it, it's so outside the box of the Twilight-based relationship that, to quote the Anti-Twilight Documentary, "that box is a dot".

[SayNope2Dopex14]

The best advice I've ever gotten about writing, Is to write for yourself first, a publisher and or the entire world second.

[Goldkehlchen20]

I can't really respect 'Steph' as a writer when I watch her interviews... calling her own work a 'saga' constantly and comparing Bella and Edward to Lizzie and Darcy... as if Bella was smart and Edward interesting... she's so reaching for someone who writes about cars for pages to fill the empty spaces within her plotline.

[luvrofmcr]

I will never write like Twilight. I too want to right a vampire series, and I never want my books compaired to Twilight. I love actually having a plot! I hope Twilight dies off fast to be honest.

[sassygurlxox]

I dont like stephenie meyer... but i love the books... :S sorry

[EGLchan]

You don't have to be sorry about liking a book. :S

[EmpressJudge13]

It's a weird bind to be in as a writer. To be the kind of writer people flock to, you have to produce literary supply that feeds their demand. The demand may seem to be something intelligent like The Historian, but then Twishite becomes such a huge hit. It's like you have to choose between literary integrity and popularity/money. What the hell kind of sadistic choice is that?!

[ItachiMoon17]

*gasp*

You've read The Historian? I'm not that far into it, but I love that book! :D

[yuskisakura]

God I just love you so much. You tell it like it is. I actually get most of my best arguments against Twilight from you and a few other people that argue really well against the series. I always find that people who argue for are sort of just ranting with no factual information and just a bunch of cursing and screaming. I find the people who argue against it actually research the material and know what they are talking about. What's that tell you about Twilight lovers and S. Meyer?

[DemonicRemption]

That they're a bunch of stuck up, ignorant morons who only go by what little they know about the subject?

[ambereyes93]

God, can we be best friends? Seriously? I try to get this point about Meyer across to people but of course, the response is, "You're just jealous".

[traffictragedy03]

I know this is probably against your morals but, what if you wrote a watered down book to make a ton of money and then write your masterpiece to show your true colors?

[MelinaPendulum]

I would feel like a sell out at first, but I guess if I did that it was because I was desperate. I would feel bad for fans of the book since I would hate it and think it was crap

[metalhead5834]

i agree completely, I mean it took Kerouac 7 years to live whats in On the Road and another 7 to write it and get it published.Not 6 months like Meyer

[DamnUReality1]

Being an aspiring writer who hopes to get into the vampire genre, I completely agree with you. But don't worry, for every "reluctant" reader who picks up twilight, I'm sure many intelligent people will pick up one of your books if they hit the shelves. I know I would :)

[Lythya]

I agree. It's discouraging to write when something like Twilight can get so much popularity.

[zahia26]

Melina, this is the society we live in, you should hear me rant about the plight of the Tuareg in the Sahara Desert in africa. When I rant, I'm the most unpleasant person...the world is getting to the point that TRASH is CLASS!!! and CLASS is WACK!!! I was told by my own professors in SCHOOL, that my essays/articles/stories are too "intellectual" and dumb my ART down. It's a slap in the face to me!

[zahia26]

Melina...can we be friends, you are so on point!

[MacabreKitten]

Don't worry, I read that the Historian is being made to a film.

I agreed in everything you said Melina. Your fears are my fears too.

[FallenAngelLee]

Why are there so many flaws in many modern novels? That's easy. More and more publishers don't use editors anymore or don't give them enough time to do their job properly. Editors and Betareaders are there to find continuity errors. Authors aren't perfect.

Your audio had a strange high background noise in it. I think it would be helpful if you wrote a script or rough draft of what you're going to say before filming. It would make everything more structured.

[MelinaPendulum]

I don't think Authors need to be perfect, but I think that its more than jut continuity errors that are wrong with the stories. Its the very ideas. They are shallow, but they are treated as these great works.

Also, the auto had strange nose because I'm in my house and it was very busy. As for my script/rough draft, I have done that, sometimes, but I find that when I read off paper I make more mistakes or speak to fast.

But thank you for your opinion

[FallenAngelLee]

There is certainly more wrong with those stories than just the continuity errors. My point was that bad editing is a widespread problem and that it's the easiest thing to fix. I think it's really disrespectful towards a readership to not edit a book properly.

I agree, reading from a piece of paper sounds artificial. What works for me is writing a script, memorising it, practise until it sounds like natural speech and have short notes in my line of sight during my presentation.

[DemonicRemption]

Well if the lack of editors was the case, I'd be published by now, because my story "Princess Of The Damned" had some plot holes before I rewrote it.

[Aoife379]

You make good points and you make them really well.

[ProudlyEccentric]

Meyer got a degree in English beause the school she went to has a reputation for being a school where women go to find husbands.

[RoseluvsHHR]

Again, you make great points. I want to write as well and so help me if I have to compete with less-worthy books that are not thought out as long as mine are or any of that. It will bother be so much because I feel my things should be recognized if I work hard enough at it, and if something that is not on the same scale as mine becomes more popular... goodness. I will be frustrated. I hate it already the HP vs TL thing but if it becomes my own books... wow..

[Phoenixangelgal]

I don't think Twilight was great at first until really the film came out

[Lestatsnumber1fan]

i read two holly blacks and i was disapointed in them to me they were just ok but i love

LIBBA BRAY theres gonna be a great and terrible beauty movie can't wait

and kim harrison have u read once dead, twice shy it was reallly good but in order to read that you have to read Prom nights from hell it was a short story in that book

btw i loved your fanfiction

[MelinaPendulum]

Libba Bray is amazing! I met her once and she was so nice and down to earth. She is one of the best YA writers right now, imo

[Lestatsnumber1fan]

thats awesome so does it get better i mean rebel angles haven't gotten to it yet because i'm reading fragile eternity by Melissa Marr

[DarkKendall]

I'm writing a fanfic about Esme and I've looked on wiki for my research. Though, the thing is, she was turned at 26 during the early 1900's and was in an abusive relationship with a man named Charles Evenson. Though weren't they married during their teen years? It didn't make sense to me, so I had to fix it.

~Kendall

[AimeeViolette]

don't do wiki...you know people can change stuff there, its inaccurate, even my teachers told us not to use wikipedia when we do research

[QuiteQuirkyIndeed]

I'd like to add to my comment below. :D

Smeyer has around eighteen million fans. There are seven or eight billion humans on earth. Don't worry!

I also want to mention that, as a writer, I find the video quite inspring. I dunno, maybe it's that I now know that I'm not the only one feeling that way.

You are definitely one of my favorite writers and if you ever publish a piece I will buy it! You deserve it!

[blahgah12]

she gets so much success because teenagers WHO NEVER READ suddenly bought and read this because its an easy read. i like twilight but i know it didnt reach its full potential.

[QuiteQuirkyIndeed]

You're brilliant. As many've said, you'll make a great writer.

I'm a writer too, a writer for young adults. I can wholeheartedly say that I agree with everything you have said.

:D :D :D

[Ahjraa]

I have read all the Twilight books, and i agree in a lot of things that you say. I went to my friends house for a sleep over, and she fell asleep, so i started reading a book of hers. True Blood, and i was like: This is just the same as Twilight. Then her mum told me it cam berfore Twilight.

[Runnin2Crazy]

With as much drive as you seem to have and how hard you want to work, I think you'll make a great writer!! One fantasy series I really recomend, though it's not a vampire series, is...darnit! I can't remember the name of the series but the first book is called Pirate Curse, followed by Pirate Emperor, then Pirate Wars. Has a good strong female character, the fantasy is awesome, in the first book there's even the begining of a love triangle.

[EMG2011]

I LOVED The Historian. I read that book in a matter of days. I'm so glad I've heard someone else say they loved it.

[estur]

Of course, I agree with you. There are so many great books out there just shunned because for some reason I can never comprehend. That's what I hate about society today so much. The problem is, the greats are too complicated for most of us that we give more importance to those simple and almost pointless books.

[PuffyAmiYumi]

This whole vlog is made of WIN.

I made my own personal rant/blog and after watching this, I'm kicking myself for not including some of what you said here, which makes total sense.

Sometimes I can't help but think she had a best friend or someone she has close ties with in the publishing world to help her out y'know? It all seems too easy for her, and frankly, smells a bit fishy.

[beansidhebaby]

Twilight is Mills and Boon with sparkly vampires. It's disposable trash and it will not last more than a decade at most.

[hermeeown]

hear hear

[Mattie2013]

Amen to that.

[x23biggestfan]

Don't worry, there will always be intelligent people to appreciate your series. And twilight is only so overrated because it's a money maker, so everyone praises it. (Ever seen the amount of twilight products?)

This can even turn into another motivation for you to write, think of the possibility of saving YA literature, and of giving people good stuff to read.

[disneyjasmine01]

OHMHGAWD. I was just at the store, and guess what? My effing reading teacher was spazzing about Twilight with her two sisters. Tell me this can't be. How can this be. I agree so much with you. I know I've commented before, but GODDAMMNIT I cannot believe a reading teacher was spazzing about it. And she said Stephenie Myer is a genius. DX

[littlekitsune1]

OH GAWD!!! *hugs you* You poor dear! T_T

[disneyjasmine01]

I KNOW IT DX

[littlekitsune1]

Just remember not to take anything that teacher says about writing seriously. xD

[MeanMFA]

I think you're a very intelligent, mature person and I agree with practically everything you said. I can certainly relate to you, because I'm in the exact same boat, what with the whole I-wanna-write-something-but-ha­s-to-complete-with-a-lazy-imma­ture-house-wife thing.

[zephyrvampire]

rainbow cake lol

[EndOfLight7]

I love the Harry Potter series=]

[AsajjVentress]

Oh, and from what I understand, SM does not have a Masters Degree. She earned a BA in English from BYU. They practically hand those out to their married students like free pamphlets...

[Kitty273]

Free pamphlets?

DEAD

LOL!

[AsajjVentress]

This the second thing that bothers me about SM, the first being how much she loves herself and claims she's a better writer than Jane Austen...

But, how can any self-respecting writer not be pissed about this 1st time author, a person who NEVER wrote anything before she wrote Twilight, getting her book about a ridiculous dream she had published? And, on top of that, made a gozillion dollars from it with the cherry of fame on top?

She does NOT deserve any of this because she's a lazy hack!

[silkybunny]

I agree with pretty much everything you said in this video, but one thing that really resonated with me was when you said that smeyer "could have done so much more with Twilight." I COMPLETELY agree with that. I found myself wishing for more development for some of the minor "villain" characters - a book about them could have been dark and spooky and FASCINATING. But instead, like you said, we get another rehash of the same old tired plots.

Keep up the great reviews! <3

[WhateverLife46]

Thank you! Finally someone. I agreed with everything you said. I'm a writer and its hard writing with this Twilight crap. Libba Bray is awesome.

[BlehIsMe]

"Reneesme is the icing on a totally rainbow cake" Epic! XD

[miaprincess225]

I would like a list of books you really enjoy but are not so popular. Can you make a video on that? I strongly agree that Meyer could have done so much more with the twilight series. I find myself skipping chapters and scanning pages. I have not read the final book of the series, but most of what I have read is so predictable to me. Im really tired of Bella being such an idiot. I have to remember that the books are meant for young adults.

[KGnoMoM]

According to her website, she just has a Bachelors in English, not a Masters, but I see your point. When I was your age (I'm 20 now) I went to a course with Adrienne Dines and John 'Shedman' Davies, who both live in the same county as me. I showed John a plot I had on hold (still is actually -_-) and he said it had potential. Then this happens the same year, makes you wonder where literature is going.

[OllieMugwump]

"Instant gratification" - you're spot on there. Though I, as a guy of course, felt offended and totally put down by the constant drooling over Edward's physical perfection and egotism in the first book - which I just couldn't finish, a true first for me!

[celeteque]

What scares me the most is that fanfiction and bad fanfiction at that has spilled over into published books. I used to think if I wanted fluff, easy to read stuff there was always fanfiction but now there are books like Twilight and makes me sad. That's why I love the classics so much better than anything that's actually being written today.

[BurningMyDreams]

As Ernest Hemingway quotes "Anyone's first draft is shit" -- writing is an adventure, it is a discovery. The characters tell their story, but if you don't take the time to listen, you'll wind up with flawless beings. Twilight was very cliche-ridden, every page was saturated with wordiness that Meyer could have easily worked over. I understand how you feel about your own novels being compared, I too, have this fear. Work on your world as it was meant to be.

[satanicwatermelon]

My mind is far too perverse to write young adult literature, however I fear that my works (should I ever complete them, I have hundreds of little plot bunnies jumping around, and I can't seem to catch any of them) shall be inevitably compared to Meyer's dribble. Gah. The HORROR.

That gives me another idea, yes, so clear now: an aspiring writer tries to avoid being compared to a dreadful but popular novel but soon goes insane and kills EVERYONE... or something.

I liked your video. ^_^

[HellDevil75]

I like this video. I might favorite it. I would say its not that Meyer is unorignal, but its the fact that she took something, and was failed at making it her own.

I'm sorry if you already said that completely, but I just wanted to point it out. Its even strange though how there are so many other romance novels SO similer to Twilight, but not nearly as famous. Mostly because most of them don't have vampires in it.

[Cuddlebunzzz]

if your main goal is to make money, then, unfortunately, you will have to create a simple, stale story to attract readers. it's happened in every mainstream entertainment industry; music, movie, tv, video games...the only things that sell well have simple plot/lyrics/whatever and provide instant satisfaction, with no sort of thought or analysis required from the consumer. it's a sad reality...

[ForeverACharmedOne]

Took the words right out of my mouth. I think whatever books you decide to publish one day, will make it. (I'll make sure all my buds buy it lol) More people, more authors, could learn a thing or two from you.

[goblingirl13]

It's sad that the Y.A series and books are getting more generic. It honestly worries me that all my hard work isnt going to pay off in the way I want it to. btw, My 13 year old cousin even thinks its a shame. (That age usaully soaks it right up, so I'm proud she has a head on her shoulders lol). But honestly, Something needs tobe done, if not, in 20 years give or take, books are gonig to be filled with as much substance as a rice cake.

[Annausagi2]

I know exactly how you feel, and I'm not even thinking of becoming an author. Possibly making "comic" series (no, not manga, you silly gooses), but because of some personal reasons I haven't barely started it yet, and I'm still during the planning progress.

I remember feeling the same way about the "Eragon" series as with Twilight.

It was almost an insult, and I can't really explain why...

Because in my mind: the absolute strongest thing about a book is the characters.

[UnfortunateSmile]

For so long I wanted to write a novel/series with vampires but I've stupidly been so afraid of it being compared to Twilight. According to the naive teenagers of this generation...Twilight IS the best vampire series ever and everything else about vampires is based off of it - even if it came out before it. XD

Anyway, great video. You made perfect sense to me. 5/5

[LucySanchez90]

I love dark stories too, and I was so very disapointed after I read Twilight. Writing is my passion, too. Now, I'm not currently writing a horror story, but I'm still terrified that my book will be compared to Twilight, and I know that if I did publish it, it wouldn't become as popular because "romance" takes second fiddle and my characters have actual flaws.

[mybunnysuit]

Master degrees don't prove anything. Stephanie Meyer is proof of that.

[AlexielAngel87]

I think you make some good points. I don't consider writting to be my forte, but I know there are plently of books out there that are better written than Twilight. Heck I've even read fanfiction that is better written Twilight. I agree that it doesn't deserve the acclaim it gets. I also think that the whole perfect male lead and weak female lead things needs to stop. I mean come on, this isn't the 1950's ppl.

[disneyjasmine01]

Even if you think you didn't make sense, you made perfect sense to me. It makes me mad how YOU really do work and Stephanie Meyer didn't and she get's all this praise and stuff. It must really irritate you! It sure would make me mad too =(