See my post #53. I can’t explain why people like crap, but just because other people get rich off of them does not make it less crappy. The concepts of writing crap and making money off of crap are not at opposition to each other.
There are two aspects to writing fiction. The first is technical proficiency with language. Many, if not most, people can acquire this skill with sufficient time, practice and outside influence.
The second element is good storytelling. This is a complex talent with many facets. Most writers/would-be writer’s don’t have it and never achieve it.
One thing we can say about best-sellers (of fiction): they are that rare breed that absolutely knows how to tell a story. As the famous editor once said, “Good writers are a dime a dozen. Good storytellers are priceless.”
As writers surely we must have more respect for this utter insanity than for pretentious pop lit that is arguably worse and definitely more insidious.
And I still think one or two dragons and a hockey playing surgeon would have added to the overall mise en place here.;)