*Rant alert*
Every Wednesday night, there is a YA lit chat on Twitter. A bunch of YA authors, editors, readers, whatever get together to talk about all things Young Adult. Some weeks we just have free discussion; other weeks there is a specific topic. I was not able to participate in YAlitchat last night, but Georgia McBride is great. She posted the full transcript of the chat on her blog. I just finished reading it.
The topic last night was “Teens and intimacy: how much is too much?” This topic spurred a great chat. The conversation started out very thoughtful and productive. There were parts I didn’t agree with (“Thing is, YA authors are right up there w/teachers, parents, mentors.” Um, no we are not. Things that should be taught by parents, teachers and mentors should be taught by parents, teachers, and mentors, not us). However, people are entitled to their own opinions, and while some did not match mine, they were still part of a really productive discussion.
What irritated me as I read the transcript is that a really great discussion turned into a Twilight bashing session at the end. Not only did this have nothing to do with the topic at hand, it is something I am really sick of seeing people do. As YA authors, we should be happy about Twilight and its success. We all have our own opinion as to whether we like it, but there is no need to openly bash it if we do not.
I have thought about this a lot over the last few months, as I have seen more and more authors bash on Stephenie Meyer and Twilight. I find that when the subject comes up, they are usually hitting on the same points over and over:
- Poorly written! Purple prose!
Stephenie Meyer is still a new author. Twilight was her first novel. Just like all other writers, she improves with practice. So the writing isn’t the strongest; you know what is strong? The story. She wrote a story people want to read, and that is a powerful thing (this same sentence can be applied to Dan Brown, by the way). As for the “purple prose“, refer to Natalie’s post, Teen Girls LOVE Adverbs. - Bella sets the feminist movement back 30 years!
Apparently this argument comes from the fact that Bella chooses to get married at a young age instead of pursuing education and a career. The key word in that sentence is chooses. Choice is what the feminist movement is all about–the choice to work outside the house, the choice to remain unmarried, the choice to receive benefits equal to men’s, the choice to, the choice to, the choice to…The choice to marry young, if one wants. When the world is telling a young woman a career is the most important thing, Bella goes against the norm and chooses a family. At its core, it was actually a very feminist choice. And the education and career? Really? She is now immortal. She has all the time in the world to pursue those things. - Breaking Dawn promotes teen pregnancy!
And Harry Potter promotes murder. I mean, Harry did kill Voldemort, right? Get a grip; just because something is in a book, it does not mean the book is promoting that thing. If that were the case, we would be hearing the same people who are crying, “Breaking Dawn promotes teenage pregnancy,” cry, “Twilight promotes saving sex until marriage,” and, “Breaking Dawn shows consequences for actions–unprotected sex can lead to pregnancy, even if it is not thought possible.” Why don’t we hear more of that from the nay-sayers? - Bella is weak! She is a poor role model for young girls!
First, we should not be expecting our daughters, our sisters, our friends to find role models in books. Role models help shape a person, give them someone to follow. Role models are parents, siblings, teachers, friends, aunts, uncles, coaches. I could go on for pages, but “characters in books” will not make that list. Bella is a character, not a role model for girls. I have heard many reasons for the Bella is weak argument:- She is wishy-washy and doesn’t know what she wants.
Who remembers being a seventeen-year-old girl? Being wishy-washy is totally normal at that age. One week, you are sure of your life goal. The next, you are still sure of your life goal–it is just a different goal. This is not a sign of weakness; it is a sign of normalcy. Teenagers are still learning all about themselves and the world around them. It is completely normal for their minds to change in the process. - She is a pushover and does everything Edward wants her to.
Am I the only one who remembers her running away from Alice and Jasper to meet James, against Edward’s will? Or running to La Push to spend time with Jacob, against Edward’s will? Or convincing Carlisle to make her a vampire, if necessary, against Edward’s will? Or not aborting her baby, against Edward’s will. There are more examples, but I think I made my point. Things she was passionate about, she did, whether Edward wanted it or not. And the things Edward wanted her to do? When one is in love, sacrifices are made. Things are done for the other person. I have done things that I didn’t want to do for my husband, because he wanted me to. This does not make me a pushover. He also does things for me that he doesn’t want to. This is called compromise. - She falls for Jacob even when she says she loves Edward.
For the life of me, I cannot see how this makes her weak. Love is a strange thing. It is powerful, overwhelming, scary. Sometimes everlasting. Many people never lose the love they had for their “first love”. It is not uncommon for people to still love one person as they grow to love another (it is also not uncommon for that to happen when they are still with the first person, but that is another post for another time). The love Bella has for Edward is intense. It came along quickly and burns brightly. The love she has for Jacob is another creature altogether. Bella chose to love Jacob. Their love developed slowly (from her end at least). They got to know each other first, and let the passion come later. If anything, I think Bella’s choice to move on and find love after Edward makes her strong.
- She is wishy-washy and doesn’t know what she wants.
- Edward thinks Bella is incapable. He won’t let her do anything for herself!
This is by far the most ridiculous cry I hear. And I hear it regularly. The Twilight bashers have decided that Edward opening doors and pulling out chairs for Bella means he thinks she is incapable. People, this is how a man should treat a woman! It has nothing to do with him thinking she is unable to do it herself; it is about respect. He respects her and he treats her accordingly.
Oy. I think I have strained my ranting muscle.
Whether we love the book, hate the book, or fall somewhere in between, I think we YA authors owe a lot to Stephenie Meyer and Twilight. Young Adult books have always been around, but Twilight really put them on the map, so to speak. YA has been much more prevalent in the media and in the bookstores in the last few years, and for a large part, we have Stephenie to thank for that. Teenagers are reading because of her books; someday teenagers might be reading my books because Stephenie Meyer blazed a trail for me. Like her books or not, I am indebted to her for opening the door of opportunity.
*Rant over. Feel free to go about your normal business now. Unless, of course, your normal business involves bashing Twilight and Stephenie Meyer.*
