TEN QUESTIONS FOR STEPHENIE MEYER
[In August of 2008, Time Magazine did an interview with Stephenie Meyer in which they asked her questions from the fans. Here are a few of those questions, and some questions for you to consider.]
Q. How do you feel about being compared to J.K. Rowling?
It’s mixed. On one hand, it’s really flattering. I’m a huge fan. On the other hand, there is a bit of backlash because then people say, “Who does she think she is?” And then I feel bad, like I’m the one going around and saying this, which I’m not. I don’t enjoy that side of it.
Q. In Breaking Dawn it seems as though you purposefully avoid a fight scene at the end of the book. Had you planned that all along?
That is the original ending to the first rough draft I ever did of Breaking Dawn, back in 2003. It was always for me more like a courtroom drama, which is one of my few TV addictions, rather than a battle scene. It was always about outmaneuvering someone mentally; I knew that if it turned into a physical battle, there was never going to be a winner. That was the ending that really felt true to the characters to me — because it was a mental game.
Did you think that your books would have such a huge impact on readers?
Gosh no! And I keep getting surprised. When Twilight hit the New York Times bestseller list at number 5, for me that was the pinnacle, that was the moment. I never thought I would be there. And I keep having moments like that where you just stop and say, wait a minute — how is this still going up? I’m waiting for the rug to be pulled out from under me. I have from day one because I’m kind of a pessimist. But it just keeps being huge and no, I had no idea. I still have no idea.
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Questions:
Do you think it’s fair to compare Stephenie Meyer to J.K. Rowling?
How did you feel about the way Breaking Dawn ended? Did you think there should have been a physical battle, rather than just a mental one?
What do you think about the huge impact the books have had on the readers? Why do you think people have responded to the books the way that they have?
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I have gotten into arguments with people over the ending of “Breaking Dawn”. There seems to be a group of people that wanted a bloodbath and violence and death. I had one girl say to me (and I’m paraphrasing here) “It would have been a MUCH better book if one of the Cullens and/or Quileutes had died”. I was flabbergasted. Exactly WHO should have died? She said that happy endings are so cliche and I reminded her that plenty of books end in tragedy. I really don’t see what’s so wrong with having a happy ending. And SM is right. It was always a mental game, even back in New Moon. The mental game being played between Edward and Aro at the time was subtle, but there. I don’t think Aro actually wanted to have it come to a physical fight. He was there to collect Edward and Alice, and possibly Bella and Nessie. Caius wanted war and carnage and Marcus didn’t seem to care either way. It really was all about the mental war between Aro and Edward. For it to have turned physical would have been out of character for both of them and it would have been wrong.
I love the way the series ends. It is note-perfect to me. There is enough sadness and violence in the real world. We all need an escape and we all need happy endings sometimes.
Well said Tippy & I totally agree with you. I remember asking a friend of mine that had read BD before me if anyone was going to die in the book as I would have been heartbroken if Stephenie decided to kill off any character. I love how BD worked out and who doesnt love a happy ending??
Nicely said Tippy! I loved Breaking Dawn’s ending. I think I would have hated it if one of my favorite characters had to be killed off. After all of that sadness/angsty/etc. throughout the series, it was time for some happiness.
About comparing SM to J.K.R., I don’t think it is fair to compare the two. They may both write great fantasies, but the storylines and their writing styles are completely different in my opinion. I think the only reason they are constantly comparing Stephenie to J.K. is because they are very successful women in the industry who have books in the top best sellers lists. They are big money makers and people treat it like a competition of “who is the biggest money maker?”, which leads to “who is the best writer?” etc. etc.
Omg r u kidding me?! That was what the uproar was about how Breaking Dawn ended? I thought it was written beautifully! I agree I think that was teh best way she could stay true to teh characters. The Cullens never wnat to just go out there and fight if they don’t have to. They are all about keeping the peace. Though it would have been slammin if they would have fought and the Cullens won and ended up taking over the Volturi’s rule. That would have opened it up for so many more books but ya there would have been no winner and vampires would be extinct lol. I am happy with how it ended. I even love that she kept instigating that the Volturi was going to fight then figured out there was no way they would win. They are all about the physical and the Cullens are all about the mental. All in all I love it!