MTV Movies Blog » ‘Twilight’ Author Stephenie Meyer Sees J.K. Rowling As Kindred Spirit

‘Twilight’ Author Stephenie Meyer Sees J.K. Rowling As Kindred Spirit

Published by Larry Carroll on Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 12:47 pm.

Stephenie Meyer Both were mothers who, around the time of their thirtieth birthday, first imagined a fantasy franchise that would bring them fame, fortune, and a loyal fanbase. This winter, both will provide Hollywood with an eagerly-anticipated blockbuster.

So, when I was interviewing “Twilight” novelist Stephenie Meyer this week for the story that just went live over on MTV.com, I had to ask: Has she ever met J.K. Rowling?

“No,” the affable author revealed. “But I would love to; I would love to sit down and talk with her.”

Once Meyer’s first non-”Twilight” book, entitled “The Host,” arrives in bookstores May 6th the comparisons might dwindle a bit. But while both continue to rule the world of teen-lit, she understands that they’ll always be compared to one another.

“I can see that,” she explained. “The interesting thing about the comparison is that I think you can compare my fans to her fans more easily [than me to her]. I do think that we both have people who are just really really enthusiastic, and will come miles to see you and be involved, and everybody really cares about our characters. But the ['Harry Potter' and 'Twilight'] stories are just so different.”

“J.K. Rowling’s audience is everybody, so that means we all have a piece of her audience,” Meyer laughed. “It’s terribly flattering to be compared to her, but there’s never going to be another J.K. Rowling; that’s a phenomenon that’s not gonna happen again.”

Still, Meyer insisted that if she ever did meet the “Potter” mastermind, they’d have plenty to talk about. “I’d like to hear her thoughts on her fans; I know she has this big group of people who say ‘Oh no, Harry should have ended up with another girl,’ and I wonder how she feels about that when they think they have a better ending than she does,” the writer said sympathetically. “I’d also like to hear her thoughts on the movies, and what things about them she enjoyed, and how she feels about privacy and e-mails and fan letters and that whole experience as a popular writer.”

“We have a few things in common,” she laughed. “It would be fun to share that common ground.”

Stephenie Meyer or J.K. Rowling: Whose writing style do you prefer?

262 Responses to “‘Twilight’ Author Stephenie Meyer Sees J.K. Rowling As Kindred Spirit”

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Jen says:

5:49 on 04/10

Thanks Larry & MTV for the interviews with Stephenie and all the other interviews regarding the Twilight Movie. You guys are awesome.

PS I found this article at twilightlexiconblog.com
Jen says:

5:51 on 04/10

Thanks Larry & MTV for the interviews with Stephenie and all the others regarding the TWilight movie.

PS I found this article at twilightlexiconblog.com
Keltie says:

5:56 on 04/10

I thought Harry Potter was good, but after reading Twilight, my eyes will never be the same! It blew me away and i honestly can't stop any of the books once i've started them; and i've read them a million times! BAH! so amazing! AWESOME JOB STEPHENIE!! Keep up the AMAZING work!!
oh p.s. i saw the link for this on twilightlexicon.com
amber says:

6:01 on 04/10

completely uncomparable. harry potter is written convincingly, differently, more believably than the twilight saga. jk rowling has a knack for creating believable, loveable characters - whereas stephenie's characters are nearly always the epitome of a mary sue.
Briony says:

6:03 on 04/10

You absolutely cannot compare Harry Potter to the Twilight books. The latter is the ULTIMATE Mary-Sue and has to rely on constant descriptions of how hot and perfect Edward Cullen is, whereas the former has built up this amazing world unto itself, not only inside the books but outside them, in fandom. I don't think anyone will claim that Jo Rowling is the world's greatest writer technically, but as a storyteller ... she absolutely blows Stephenie Meyer out f the water.

On a completely separate note, which has nothing to do with my personal dislike for the series, I cannot work out why the Twilight books are constantly compared to HP and lauded as 'the new Harry Potter'. Fine, so the fantasy theme of vampires and werewolves transcends both sets of books - but when was Potter ever a romance-driven novel? I find it so incredibly lazy of the media to constantly report that 'x is the new y!!' Why can things not be appreciated for what they are anymore? Why do we have to undermine both the original and the newcomer?
Bren says:

6:03 on 04/10

HP and Twilight are soooooo different. First of all, the audiences, one is for all audiences (kids, YA, adults, etc) and the other one is just for YA and adults so... HP has more fans.

I'm still a fan of HP but I wasn't that hooked/obsessed to it like I'm with Twilight right now. Maybe because I started reading the books before the movies came out.

Anyway, I can't choose between them... both created fantasy worlds that are SOOOO real.... that's why I love them. They made us believe those worlds really exist. The other sci-fi stories like LOTR, Narnia or books like that are just fantasy and fantasy and more fantasy but nothing seems to be real. On the other hand, HP with the magical world or Twilight with vampires... OMG! You really feel like you are living in those worlds.

Sometimes I feel a vampire is outside my house LOL. I also consider myself a muggleborn and I'm still waiting for an invitation to Hogwarts LOL.
shar says:

6:08 on 04/10

stephanie meyers wishes she were jk rowling and that story was even a fraction of the quality of HP
mercedes says:

6:09 on 04/10

I like more Stephenie Meyer, the way of mixing reality with mithology is so perfect that it makes you wonder. could this be true?
But I like both stories, since the last I read is eclipse, but Rowling was the first writer that introduce me to books in another language.. (I'm from argentina) thanks to both for those amazing stories,
and thanks to the Twilight Lexicon for the link
http://www.twilightlexiconblog.com/
nat says:

6:24 on 04/10

um well first off i think jk rowelling is amazing and so is stephenie meyer and they cant be compared. two completly different styles of writing and two completly differnt books. You can not compare a romance book to a adventure fantasy book. I just have to say i owe a lot to the harry potter books they are the only reason i like to read. I never thought i would find a series i liked as much as harry potter until i found the twilight series. they both have a special place in my heart.
fantasygirl says:

6:24 on 04/10

honestly, i love both books, but JK Rowling is still much better. i mean, Meyer's plots are addicting and characters are well developed, but i think for me, its just that there isnt enough going on. Jo manages to have multiple plot points but keeps them all seperate and clear.

also, i got an early copy of the host, and i really cant get into it. it just doesnt suck you in the way Twilight or Harry Potter does.
noelia says:

6:24 on 04/10

I prefer Stephenie Meyer. I've never read Harry Potter books, though. But still, in my book, (haha) no other author can beat Stephenie Meyer and Twilight!!!!!!!!!! :]
Maria says:

7:15 on 04/10

She's too modest...which is what's so great about her...she's written a story that has changed A LOT of lives, I just don't see that happening with Harry Potter. Sure it's a great story, but Steph's vampires are too good, and there is a certain charm there..luv it! It would be interesting to see what J.K Rowling thinks about the comparisons =)

P.S I got this link from The Twilight Lexicon =)
sarah-mae says:

7:17 on 04/10

i would have to say i think SM over JKR because i've tried to read harry potter but found it soo boring that i didn't finish it and almost failed the class book report on it. so ya im a twilighter all the way..... i've never understood the harry potter fan base.. i think its like half the population loves it as the other half hates it as twilight i find anyone who reads it falls in love with it.. vampire books tend to scare away readers cause many are so corny.. not twilight though.. go stephenie meyer...yaay thanks MTV and twilightlexicon for all the updates!
Natalie says:

7:18 on 04/10

Honestly, Stephenie Meyer's writing style is not very good, but nor is JK Rowling's. It's their stories and their characters that really grip us.

Stephenie relies on characters and (incredible) description, whereas Jo uses plot and theory and analysis to make us addicted.

I love them both, they are both fantastic stories and I really like how Stephenie Meyer didn't use this as a chance to take a stab at Jo, but used it as a chance to break the tension between the fandoms 'cause I hate to say it, but there is tension where there shouldn't be. I detest the way people have to compare them both and then say, "Twilight is better than Harry Potter," when the two have absolutely nothing in common. Everything fantasy is now compared to HP, why should this be any different?

Hardcore HP fans have grown up with it and some feel as if they cannot like Twilight as much because they are so loyal to Harry, but there is nothing wrong with liking another book and there is absolutely no reason to take sides because THERE ARE NO SIDES. These books, as I have said earlier, have nothing in common.

Honestly, without Jo, so many young people wouldn't even become addicted to reading and you really have to respect that, whether you like Twilight/HP better or not.
Hayli says:

7:22 on 04/10

I prefer Stephenie's, simply because it's more modern and I like that it's told in first person. However, that's a very hard thing for me to admit, as I've been a Potter head since I was in the early years of elementary school (im a freshman now). :/
Zamarit says:

8:04 on 04/10

I enjoy both series, but if I had to pick one it would DEFINETELY be J. K. Rowling. Her books & storylines are great. She has created something that no one will ever be able to do again. She has showed kids how wonderful it is to read,& showed adults that they should never forget how to read. I am now very sad because the last Harry Potter book has come out. I'll miss them.
Kathee says:

8:11 on 04/10

I, like others, found Twilight through Harry Potter. They are totally different, but I would say that JK Rowling is a better writer. Her stories take you into an entirley different world and have created something that will last for centuries. Twilight is not geared to the same kind of wide audience, although I hope that more and more read it! Stephenie did create an original 'world' as well. At times her writing takes me away, but it's not consistent. Sometimes it seems a bit repetitive.

~~Found this link on: http://twilightmomsforums.unrealblogs.com/index.php
Andrea says:

8:27 on 04/10

I LOVE YOU STEPHENIE MEYER!!!! You are a great writer.
Patrice says:

8:57 on 04/10

Personally, I think Stephanie Meyer is leagues ahead of J.K Rowling. I don't mean to offend any one by this, but she is a terrible writer. She creates annoying characters and morals in her story conflict. Her plot is not developed at an even pace throughout the nove either, which I find annoying.
Just my opinion. :)
corey says:

9:09 on 04/10

Writing from first person makes me think SM can't write her way out of a paper bag-- it comes off very weak.

JKR, on the other hand, can do more with her stories because of the way it is narrated

Plus, I'm sick of Bella's whining-- get me out of the girl's head!
Mary says:

9:15 on 04/10

I think they're both super talented.
antonia says:

9:20 on 04/10

I love both the Twilight series and the Harry Potter series, but I have to say I enjoy Harry Potter more. JK Rowling's writing style is more "me" than Stephenie Meyer's, although some feel that Meyer's is better for them. For me, I have to skip through parts of Twilight, New Moon, & Eclipse. Also, I find things that don't correspond with later books. In Rowling's series, I never have to do, or have found either of these things. If you laid Eclipse (my favorite Meyer book) and Deathly Hallows next to each other and asked me to choose which to read, I would choose Deathly Hallows. However, I still believe Stephenie is a phenomenal writer, but she is right. There will never be another JK Rowling. But I still have Breaking Dawn on pre-order!
Chela says:

9:36 on 04/10

I've never read Harry Potter, but I know it's an amazing story with a really talented author. I think Stephenie Meyer reaches out to me more because she has that element of fantasy and action, but she also has a strong romantic element to her story (which I love) and the romance itself is out of this world. Though I've heard tons about Harry and I've seen the movies (though I know they probably don't compare to the book) Edward's number one for me ;) I think both J.K. Rowling and Stephenie Meyer are great though!
Fhaps says:

9:36 on 04/10

well, i think that this is one of that things that will never have solution. But i think that obviously there will never be nothing as big as Harry Potter, and you can't deny than, it's fool to try it. Harry Potter is deeper then Twilight, Twilight is a "light" book, it doesn't have too many background storys, but think whatever you want--
Katie (Bell) says:

9:49 on 04/10

I love both series, but I started getting bored with the Twilight series in the middle of New Moon. With Harry Potter I can read them over and over and I never get bored. I discover somethign new everytime. Over all I think Jo can suck the fans in more. I do love Twilight though.
Arghh says:

9:50 on 04/10

Great article!

Also, even though you already know this through visitor tracking (which all sites have nowadays and for a while now), the Twilight Lexicon would like me to tell you I got the link through them. Why? Because they are publicity hogs. Who also censor fans/site viewers who criticize them (by deleting their comments).
tina says:

9:53 on 04/10

i think j.k. rowling is a MUCH better writer. SM's stuff = a dirty pleasure for me.
Leggers says:

10:00 on 04/10

Gotta say JK Rowling, HP's just closer to my heart.

But I love ya, Steph! ;)
Edward Potter says:

10:02 on 04/10

I think that both are fantastic, but you can't compare them- I mean, here you have one author who is more of a romance novelist(Stephenie Meyer) and on the other hand, you have an author who writes about a WIZARDING WORLD(JK Rowling). I have read all of both authors' books and they were GREAT!
Jessica says:

10:16 on 04/10

i absolutely love Stephanie books with romance,action and suspense and i also love harry potter but there not the same.their both excellent books to read. although i prefer the Twilight books any day. *_*
Lira says:

10:30 on 04/10

I'd say JK Rowling just because the HP books captured me from when I was a kid...and probably always will.

But then again, I've been obsessed with the Twilight Seies for a few years now ;)
Naomi says:

10:42 on 04/10

Yes Stephanie!of course!! I could never imagine my life without Twilight or Edward....Life is nothing without him. So...STEPHANIE ALL THE WAY!!
Amanda says:

10:47 on 04/10

I am an incredibly avid Harry Potter fan. I was absolutely devasted when the last book came out. Of course I've read other books since then, but none were really able to capture me. The His Dark Materials series came close, but not quite. then i finally listened to my friend and read twilight. i will never regret that decision. the books will never be the same as harry potter, b/c harry potter has given me so much and the fans are so great, but twilight has definately captured me almost as much as harry potter. im going to the midnight release and i will be at the 1st showing of the movie. i love that the series still has another book to goo, b/c the anticipation and theorizing is what i miss most about the time before the last harry potter book. now im anticipating something and it feels great! i couldn't tell u which wrting style i prefer. i think i like the twisted and complicated plot line of potter better, b/c its more captivating, but i probably like the style of twilight better. i just know that i love bothe twilight and harry potter to an ubsurd degree.
kayeclipse says:

10:50 on 04/10

So, I have read all the Harry Potter books multiple times and I am a huge fan...BUT nothing, that means the harry potter books can surpass the brilliancy of Stephenie's writing- I have never been so hooked on a book before. I you compared how I felt about J.K's books with Stephenie's books; you would be comparing "one small tree to an entire forest"! I Love the Twilight series, because like duh they're the best!
Carissa says:

11:13 on 04/10

I agree with what Meghan said to M. Heart. You definitely cannot accurately base your opinion on Harry Potter by what you see in the movies. The movies, in my opinion, lack so much of the emotion you find in the books. They also leave out so many details.

I absolutely love both as well and it's impossible for me to choose, so I won't. I will say, though, that Harry Potter has so many aspects other than romance that make it much more multi-demensional (friendship, spirituality, morality, etc). Rowling literally created a whole new world and wound her characters around them. Everything is so well thought-out, so seamless. Also, I think she opened the door of reading to a new generation. I don't think Twilight would have been such a success had Harry Potter not come along and re-introduced the joys of reading to all different ages. The fact is, Harry Potter will never be matched in terms of influence because it is so unique and versatile.

And as for Stephenie, her works are amazing as well. She takes a classic love story and twists it into something that is so very addictive. I love the dynamic of Bella and Edward's relationship and her descriptions are excellent. She's developed this into a Potter-like franchise. I can only hope to ever have a fraction of her (or J.K.'s) immense talent.

I think it's best if we both admire these women for their incredible contributions to the literary world. Don't try to compare them, just be thankful that years from now, when these books have become older classics, you can say you were apart the phenomenon from the beginning.
Puja says:

11:40 on 04/10

I love, and when I say love, I mean LOVE the Twilight Series, but Harry Potter will always be number one in my heart. Always. That being said, I think Stephenie Meyer is an amazingly talented author(and deserves everything she has AND IS going to get) who created a stroy that ridiculously easy to fall in love with, but, for me, JK Rowling created an world to fall in love with. And she is, just that much more awesome! xD

Also, I've read the comments and I just wanted to say stop bashing the incredibly talented ladies who wrote stories that you've fallen in love with. AND stop bashing the stories as well. That's just plain stupid.

And I found this story via MuggleNet! hehe. xD
Dee says:

11:57 on 04/10

Jo Rowling is SO much better!

Twilight is plain and not very creative. Stephenie is nice and all but she's far from being Jo and her characters are just... sad. I mean, Mary Sues and Gary Stues. Pathetic.
Megan says:

12:01 on 04/11

If I see one more person compare Stephanie 'Holy purple prose, Batman!' Meyer to Jo 'I am made of epic win' Rowling I will ?#~% a brick. Jo >>> SMeyer, people. Get this through your heads.
Isobella Magpie says:

12:58 on 04/11

I Love them both!

Jo probably write better than Stephenie, and i love how you have to analyse everything in them because she forshadows and drop's clues, but Stephenie is MUCH better at characterisation. I mean she has millions of girls all over the world fighting over two fictional boys! That's crazy!
smarakins says:

1:00 on 04/11

"Meghan Says:
April 10th, 2008 at 5:37 pm

To M.Heart-
If you only base the Harry Potter series on the movie you clearly do not have an accurate understanding of the series. The movies are not an accurate portrayal of the depth and complexity the Harry Potter books have."

Precisely. What s/he said :-D

I like 'em both equally. Though I will admit I'm WAY more obsessed with Twilight/Edward. But just because one story (plot) catches my attention more than another, doesn't mean the WRITER is better. Like I said: equal! ^_^
Muffy says:

1:28 on 04/11

Whose writing style do I prefer? Stephenie's - and by a loooooong mile!! JKR is great, and I was one of those obsessed fans of Harry Potter, but I think that it was a hype that I could only hold onto for a limited amount of time.

Meyer's characters are so much closer to home, and her writing style is so much more unique and endearing that I think if I live to be 100 I'll still swoon when I imagine 'the smoldering depths of Edward's golden eyes'!
Michelle says:

1:50 on 04/11

WTF MTV???!!! Someone from MTV told a twilight fan that the Kristen and Robert interview will be appearing on TV and the internet on Thursday April 10, which is today. And we have yet to see any interview! You guys suck ass. If you want to be Twilight's %?%?~, try doing a better job.
eternaldiscord says:

1:52 on 04/11

Steph's right when she said Jo writes for everyone, so I think that's why Jo gets more credit sometimes. But both of them can really tug on your emotions when they want to, and cheesy as it sounds, both have made life way more fun and enjoyable. I think in the end, I would have to say that I prefer Jo's plots more, because they are so intricately developed, but I like Steph's overall writing style better...
eternaldiscord says:

1:59 on 04/11

Oh, and I suppose I should give some Larry Love! After that last interview with Steph, it seems we've all gone a guilt trip for denying Larry credit where credit is due. So, thanks for giving us awesome interviews to squeal over, you rock!
lizzy says:

2:09 on 04/11

i agree with Kelsi. NO ONE can be compared to Jo rowling.
Alunamai says:

2:17 on 04/11

Stephenie Meyer is way better... the writing is much easier to read and she doesn't bore the world with unneeded tid bits. J.K. Rowling is good... but she puts way too much in the books. I didn't read the fourth or seventh book becuase half way through i was bored. I don't want to read upwards of 15 chapters of people camping cause they are trying to avoid He must not be named, who is a pansy by the way cause he wanted to fight a damn child. Sorry, just my opinion.

Rowling also doesn't care for her fans the way stephenie does. If rowling cared she would have done a full U.S. Book tour... which she didn't...

And obviously Meyer is better... lets see... wrote story in 2003... published by 2005...

Rowling: Finished first book in 1993... finally published in 1998...

whose the better writer... Meyer..
Mariel says:

2:24 on 04/11

Just saying, i love twilight BUT!!!! The books really have no substance and don't even compare to J.K.Rowling's writing. I mean Jo actually takes the time to give her novels Plot, instead of simply filling up thousands of pointless pages with repetitious descriptions of good looking men and flowery adjectives, that take the plot virtually nowhere. Comparing Stephanie Meyer's work to Jo's, is like comparing popcorn to a meal at a five star restaurant, you only eat it to pass the time! THANK YOU FOR READING!!!!!!!!...whether you agree or would now like to murder me.
Danijela says:

2:27 on 04/11

I found this link on Twilight lexicon. I like Stephenie better. I didnt read any of Harry P. books and I only saw one movie. But I have read all books from Stephenie and cant wait for more!
Elyse says:

2:31 on 04/11

I think Stephanie Meyer is AMAZING!!! she soo awesome. JK is pretty cool, but no book ive ever read will ever compare to twilight, it is the peak of all teen-lit. i no the movie will be just as good.
Marie says:

2:36 on 04/11

TO ******ALUNAMAI******* ARe you STUPID!!!!!!?????? ever heard of "HASTE MAKES WASTE!". LET's compare Rowling's loving care to Meyer's "lets slap as many hot guys as possible onto some paper" tactic ...Hmmm...i WONDER WHO's work turned out better? Also, you're one to talk about monotony...i mean, how can you stand to read fifteen chapters about Bella and Edward staring into each others eyes. I want Edward to die so that Bella can cry HERSELF to death and so that Jacob can find a sensible woman and live HAPPILY EVER AFTER!!!!

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