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So, I'm writing my final paper for one of my classes about how much the books suck. I'm a terrible writer, I know, but I will definitely post a preview of it later. MAYBE. If it turns out good. Root for me. :3

EDIT:

Here is the opening paragraph. You can tell me how absolutely revolting it is. Because let's face it. This is so horribly written, that it can't even be explained in words.

What makes a novel a “good” novel? Robert P. Ashley states that there are series of tests one could use in assisting to identify a “good novel”. One of which would be the test of time – if a novel is written well enough it would be enjoyable, or known to the generations to come. Another would be the test of universal appeal – if English teachers in the country praises the books, as well as critics and the general public1 (Ashley). It is clear that these qualities are depicted in what we know as the “classics”. To many, however, along with these factors, comes the more easily found qualities, such as the the novel having an interesting plot line that the writer has the skills to convey. A writer could have all the technical skills, but it wouldn't do any good for the story, if it was bland, or ill-conceived. In the same way a good story would be butchered with terrible writing. A good book should be well written, avoiding any grammatical errors as well as purple prose. It should paint a picture for the audience, making them use their imagination, not attempt to prove that the writer can use extravagant words to impress their reader. Lastly, the story should be character driven, meaning the characters the authors represent should be fully developed, giving them back stories, as well as interesting personalities and flaws that would in the end play a part in the the plot as well as provide entertainment for the audience. Now if those are the qualities to making a novel “good”, then how did Twilight land itself on bestseller lists nation wide? The novel clearly lacks all of the qualities stated above to qualify itself as a “good novel”. Twilight a novel, written by Stephenie Meyer, is about a girl named Bella Swan who moves to Forks, Washington and falls in love with Edward Cullen, who turns out to be a vampire. As interesting as this story may sound from the brief summary, that's all there is to the series. Lacking a plot, in depth character and good writing, it is still a wonder as to how Twilight has received so much limelight in the past couple of years when it clearly shouldn't have.
A forbidden love between a human and a vampire, the story though exciting as it may sound, is plotless, horribly written, and avoids in depth characters as well as development in them. Why the series has gotten so much hype is a question that is very debatable. One of the contributions is the fact that the characters are overly one dimensional. As Scott McCloud in the second chapter of Understanding Comics mentions that simplifying characters is an effective way of storytelling 2 (McCloud). In Meyer's stories, the protagonist, Bella Swan has no personality and is described as an ordinary girl, and not much more. Her personality isn't depicted nor is her character developed through out any of the four books in the series thus making her a character that is easily identified with the reader. It helps the audience put themselves in her shoes. Edward Cullen, her partner vampire also has no personality, and is for the most part completely stoic through out the story. He is described as being “perfect” in every way, often comparing him to the Greek God, Adonis. Of course, with a “perfect” character, there is no room for them to develop, or have much depth. The rest of the characters introduced in the series, are completely useless in the sense that they do not play any part in the story's plot, and are just there for show. The rest of the story mainly revolves around Bella and Edward's “love”, which could easily be questioned as an abusive relationship. Not much of a conflict is seen in any of the books, save for the last couple of chapters, if they can even called a “conflict”. There is no plot in the story at all, and merely explains, in horribly exaggerated words how beautiful Bella finds the vampires, namely Edward to be.
With all of these factors, one would assume that the series would never make it near a bestseller list, but surprisingly, they did, and the audiences ate it all like candy, while asking for more. The only reason as to how something like this became so well known was with the help of commercialism and mass production. Meyer, after publishing her first book quickly went into getting the books made into a movie. What better way to commercialize the stories than with a film adaptation? Look at where the Harry Potter series has gotten with the help of the movies. Despite the massive amount of popularity J.K. Rowling's series was getting before the movie, the number of fans increased once the movie was announced to be made. As seen in Eric Schloesser' Fast Food Nations, commercialization became the key component in selling fast food products3 (Schloesser). In the similar way, Meyer used the films to further commercialize her novels, and brainwashing the general public, in a way, to believe that these books were good enough to be made into a film. Her stories did not get famous because of talent to write, and the originality of her story. Walter Benjamin mentions that an “aura” of the work of art withers with mechanical productions4 (Benjamin). Putting it in the context of Meyer's stories, it seems even that the “aura” of a literary work withers with commercialization. Especially with these series, due to the fact that the books were popularized not by the people who truly thought the books were well written, but by Meyer herself by making sure her stories were adapted into films. Schloesser also showed that different methods of commercialization is used in order to “brainwash”, the customers into buying their products (Schloesser). With the technique of mass production and commercialization the concept of brainwashing the mass population has been made easier. While Twilight and the sequels were being pulled off of the shelves, where were the original vampire stories such as Dracula by Bram Stoker or even Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicals? Completely neglected and viewed as “fake” vampires, because Meyer had gone out of her way to make vampirism a fetish, and romanticized the whole idea of these blood sucking creatures of the night. These creatures were made out to look as if they were harmless creatures, that resembled a greek God. Who sparkled, like diamonds in the sunlight and controlled their thirst for human blood substituting it with animal blood. When, in reality, or common myth, vampires are supposed to be creatures that can't control their thirst for blood, and were once known as creatures of the undead that visited their loved ones. The whole origin and aura of the creatures known as vampires are completely forgotten about.
“Real” vampires were soon dubbed fake, and the name “Edward Cullen” was sighed by nearly every girl as soon as the movies were announced to be produced. They, the fan girls, put themselves in Bella Swan's shoes, because it was so easy to do so, and dreamed, wished and even believed that Edward Cullen was eventually going to come for them. The books soon became their Bible, their life. Violent acts were committed if one were to disagree with the fact that Meyer wasn't the best writer in the world, or that the series in itself just didn't satisfy one's literary needs. William Piets, as quoted by Stallybrass in Marx's Coat In Border Fetishism, says that “The fetisso marks … the subjection of the human body … to the influence of certain significant material objects that although cut off from the body function as its controlling organs at certain moments”5 (Pietz). Thanks to commercialization, the series has not only become popular, but also brainwashed the teen public to believing that the series were their life, their central nervous system, even and that Edward Cullen is the most beautiful and perfect man for every girl. If one were to disagree, they are dubbed psychotic and threatened, or in some cases were physically injured. However, these stories, told by the victims of the attacks, were ignored by the public. MTV movie blog, even went as far as saying that most of the stories sounded fake and were disregarded6 (MTV. Movie Blog). The fan girls of course only find the books to be “good” because “Edward Cullen is so hot”, completely overlooking the fact that the books are horribly written and plotless, the “perfect” Edward Cullen makes up for all of that. They have been, as it seems, turned into a cult with one opinion and would fight to the death to get their opinions heard. They even had an uproar when well known author and critic, Stephen King, said on an interview when comparing J.K. Rowling, Author of the Harry Potter series and Meyer's writing styles that “The real difference is that Jo Rowling is a terrific writer and Stephenie Meyer can’t write worth a darn. She’s not very good”7 (USA Weekend). The fans stated that he had no right to say what he did, and that he hadn't known what he was talking about, since he hasn't written a hit series, and of course the icing on the cake: “he's jealous”. They fail to realize that King is a critic and a well known writer of many hit novels. They all think alike: “Stephenie Meyer is the best writer, and Edward Cullen is so hot. Anyone who disagrees is dumb.”
The books in general are mistaken by their audience as a masterpiece, while the reality of the atrocious writing is never being seen to the audiences, because they are blinded by Edward Cullen's shiny perfection. Jean Baudrillard in Simulacra and Simulation explains how things in the world are seen, but perceived differently from the way they really are8 (Baudrillard). An example that is shown in the series is the concept of Edward's “love” towards Bella. Many would see their relationship, or the way Edward treats her as abusive, but to Bella, they way he acts is out of love. Bella after getting to know Edward learns that he had been watching her sleep every night since she's gotten there which, is considered as violation of privacy, not to mention creepy. Since when do we as a society approve of stalkers and find them romantic? Apparently, since this book. Bella allows Edward to control her life, for example forbidding her to visit her friends, or her family. Though Bella is made to look independent and strong, in reality she is actually completely dependent of her male counterpart, whether it be her Edward or her friends. With Edward setting the ground rules in the relationship, it shows that he's in control. That she plays the damsel in distressed, the weak minded, helpless female character. But of course, our miss Swan, and the thousands of other rabid fan girls see the acts performed by Edward as true love. But of course Bella would think this way considering the fact that she doesn't know what love is. Not only is the fact that this is her first relationship with any guy, but also the fact that her parents were divorced, and she never really experienced what romantic love was like. That would explain why Edward and Bella's relationship is based on the fundamentals of her smelling mouthwateringly delicious to Edward and him being mysteriously attractive to her. Well, it isn't easy, neither of them actually have personalities to be attracted to, so this is the best they could do. Edward Cullen's looks are the only thing that are detailed in the whole series after all.
Though, looking at recent pop culture there really isn't anything more one could expect. Almost everything is talentless and shallow, and are getting the lime light for undeserved reasons. A perfect example would be of the celebrities seen in recent years. It seems, that more scandals they are a part of, the more fame they receive. Not by working for their fame with talent, but by seeing how many tabloids they can appear in. In recent years, due to the improvements of technology, the population has become prone to be attracted to things that are easier for them. Meyer's stories, being one of them. Meyer's books lack complexity and depth of both the characters and the plot, which makes it easier to read, and of course these days people can't do anything for themselves, including reading unless the reading material is considered “easy”. The intelligence of the adolescence as well as the rest of the public has decreased to the point that people actually believe that the Twilight is a wonderfully written masterpiece.
In conclusion, Meyer's writing is ludicrous and her books are an insult to literature. The fact that it received so much praise and fame is mind boggling, but was only successful with the help of commercialism. Without it, these series would most likely still be stuck in a dusty corner of a bookstore, where the earlier readers originally found them. Only someone who doesn't have a very big range in their readings could read something like this and take it seriously as a work of a masterpiece.

I've written the rough draft already. I just have to do some finishing touches. I'm so excited. I kind of rant and raved about how s**t the books are, so I kind of have a lot of editing and re editing to do. But so far I have about 6 pages.

For the children, they mark, and the children, they know The place where the sidewalk ends.

OH MY GOD. that would be cool. I'm so bad at transitioning and like putting references in my paper, it's so bad, right now. Let me fix it a little more, and see if you're still online.

For the children, they mark, and the children, they know The place where the sidewalk ends.

Why do all of you have 'fancy' imagery and text positioning? Seriously?

Anyway can't wait to read the paper...

...Did I SOUND like I wanted to? No. I think it's really freakin annoying.

I'd have to agree. I like good old plain text.

But on topic, I also want to see it. Sounds like something that I'd spend my time reading and enjoying.

I think you should post it. Partially because I can't wait to read it. =w=

It's beautiful eek