What is it about George Lucas and J K Rawling?

[xiphias]

I mean, let's face it -- both of them are, well, mediocre story-crafters. And the universes they create don't REALLY hold together all that well -- their world-building is, y'know, okay. Their characters are fairly two-dimensional.

But, damn, there's something there. Something about what they create just sticks with you.

What is it?!

I can point to the weaknesses in Star Wars, and in Harry Potter. But that doesn't matter. There's SOMETHING in those that works.

Are there other fictional universes that just, y'know, get you that way? Even if the people who created them are fairly mediocre in their craft?

And what IS it? Can it be learned? I mean, all of you who write for a living -- you've probably asked yourself this question occasionally, too. . .

Is it the same thing for Star Wars and for Harry Potter?

Comments

[felis-sidus.livejournal.com]

I would submit that if an author or filmmaker creates a work that grabs people in the way that Star Wars and Harry Potter have, then said filmmaker or author is anything but mediocre. It is the effect of the work, not adherence to others' standards of excellence, that truly distinguishes great work from average.

[gilmoure.livejournal.com]

Yeah, but both works are highly derivative and a bit clunky; why do they work, when other works don't? What's the caffeine equivalent?