What would you ask fantasy writer George R.R. Martin?

tntdynamite Wed, Apr 15, 2009 at 06:52 PM EST

I want to write fantasy, but I can't come up with names. I don't want to copy other books, but I can't make up my own. Any help?

Rob Fri, Nov 14, 2008 at 12:59 PM EST

I would like to say that I am upset about the delay in the 5th book. I am sure you're writing it, and I'm sure you're working hard. I am also sure that A LOT OF FANS (including me) are feeling neglected when you keep publishing OTHER books!!! I only buy your other books because I like a Song of Ice and Fire. All of those alienated fans are not going to buy any of your other books in the future, though. You're really shooting yourself in the foot by taking so long.

Once "A Dance with Dragons" is released, I'm checking out a copy from the library instead of buying it. If it's unavailable for a while, who cares? What's another year gonna hurt?

Lisa Mon, Mar 10, 2008 at 06:32 PM EST

Mr. Martin, I would just like to say that your writings are wonderful and I am a huge fan and I am looking foward to reading DWD! For all you people calling him rude, you should look in the mirror, its people like you that make people like him act rude. So cut him some slack and put yourself in his shoes. I'm sure hes doing the best he can so quit your btchin!! Thanks :)

Angela Hale Thu, Nov 29, 2007 at 04:47 PM EST

George, what can we do, as fans, to urge HBO to produce "A Song of Ice and Fire" as a series? I know with the (writers') strike, things are on the back-burner, but PLEASE, let's not let this one slip away! Only HBO can do it right, I feel it. Angela

Adam Sat, Nov 10, 2007 at 04:28 PM EST

Hiya George!!

There's a question I have which I have no doubt will NOT be answered in EW, but I feel I must ask it anyway. It has something to do with one of the thousands of little mysteries you've so cleverly included in A Song of Ice and Fire. Anyway, I came up with a theory based on some of your rather telling dialogue in some of Jaime's chapters in A Feast for Crows, and the question is related to it:
Are Jaime and Cersei REALLY Tywin's children?
Looking forward to your answer!

Yogsoggoth Thu, Nov 8, 2007 at 01:20 PM EST

Whatever happened to the Wildcard series? I loved those books and with the resurgence in super hero popularity, I think they would be a hit again.

E Wed, Nov 7, 2007 at 02:44 PM EST

Dear Mr. Martin,

Will Arya get her wolf back?

Katie Mon, Nov 5, 2007 at 10:57 PM EST

Two questions:
1) What ever became of Tuf and Molly?
2) You have a significant number of stories that take place in space, in a MartinSpaceVerse of sorts. What led you to move away from that and into a high fantasy realm? Was it something you always wanted to do? Do you think it was partly enabled by the general trend in the field away from sci-fi fiction and more towards fantasy?

Emily Sun, Nov 4, 2007 at 09:46 PM EST

In the "A Song of Ice and Fire" series, which of the characters who have died so far did you miss the most or not really want to kill? For which character's death did you get the most flack from readers?

Sarah Sun, Nov 4, 2007 at 06:22 PM EST

In response to Leo: it's not the wait of the book that bothers me, it's Martin's reaction. If you read his blog, he's frankly rude about it. I find it insulting that he's behaving as though he'll finish the book when he deigns to. Irritated or not, as a writer, one could say he has at least a little bit of responsibility to the fans that have made him a bestselling author, and shouldn't treat their enthusiasm as though it's a burden. Basically, he's had a book mostly done for several years, and it's getting to a point where there's just no excuse for it's absence.

Erik Trybom Sun, Nov 4, 2007 at 11:02 AM EST

Feast and Dance seem to have taken considerably more time and effort than the first three books of the series. Is this due to the pacing of the storyline? Do you think the final books will be any easier to write or will all the remaining books require as much tedious work?

melrose10 Sun, Nov 4, 2007 at 02:40 AM EST

My question for GRRM: As many people have demonstrated, there is such a demand for the next book. My question is, how do you deal with the pressure from the more demanding fans? How do you keep yourself motivated and excited?

Leo Sat, Nov 3, 2007 at 07:49 PM EST

Not a question for GRRM, just a brief comment, I've only now red posts bellow: I can't beleive type of questions/comments some people leave here. For anybody who wrote anything creative than a memo, they know it is a painful work. Writing, then re-writing, than comparing, then deleting...Plus it is a demanding and complex story to tell. And generally, apreciating a nice novel understands patience and respect to writer. Or singer, if you want to go totally medieval ;)

Anyway, histerical inquiries, mentioning Robert Jordan and so far uncomplete nature of Wheel of Time (big fan, as well) it just takes my breath away...Sheer cruelty and menace of some posts. I mean, people it's just a book, and it will be written, just arm yourself with some patience, it's not an ordered cheeseburger.

Leo Sat, Nov 3, 2007 at 07:34 PM EST

Cheers to everybody from Zagreb, Croatia. Mr. Martin, just one short question: how do you feel about space SF (kind of what Arthur C. Clarke and Louis Bujold, recently) have been doing? More importantly, would you like to write some space epic one day, a kind of ''ASOIF in universe''? Thanks!
Keep up with great work, I'm a huge fan of your writing!

maria and goran Sat, Nov 3, 2007 at 12:24 PM EST

Well, we just have one question. We know it's a long shot but here it is: Are you planning to visit Serbia any time soon? We would just like to shake your hand. We're not going to ask when the DwD will come out, we'll be happy when it does and that's it. So, hope we'll be seing you in our country, greetings and good luck in your work.

McCloskey Sat, Nov 3, 2007 at 11:10 AM EST

Hey George,

1. Originally ASOIAF was supposed to be 3 books. With all the plot threads this never could have been possible so what parts/characters/plotlines have grown and developed more than you originally thought?
2. We know that Tyrion is your favorite character. Who is your least favorite character? Which is the hardest to write? Which one would you like to kill (without giving anything away)?
3.Do the Others have a society or are they mindless monsters?
4. Have the Others ever coupled with humans?

Jason Sat, Nov 3, 2007 at 09:31 AM EST

I have 2 questions. With the Hedge Knight comics already out is there a chance that we'll see ASOIAF and/or Wild Cards comics in the near future? Any chance of the Game Of Thrones card game making a come back? I can't find it anywhere!

dsquaredfrmasquared Sat, Nov 3, 2007 at 07:45 AM EST

Do high fantasy authors really ever start out expecting to finish a series in a certain number of books? I can't think of a series yet that's only taken the number of books originally promised. Is it just that authors think that readers won't start reading a series if they know it will take twelve books and twenty years to reach the end? Or do you just keep discovering new stories to explore in the world you've created?

John-Boy Williams Sat, Nov 3, 2007 at 06:52 AM EST

Dear George

I know you are reluctant to talk abouy the progress of Dance, but I ask only one thing. Could you give us some idea of how far you are at least, in terms of a percentage? Are ou on the home stretch, or rather 50% done?

Brian Sat, Nov 3, 2007 at 05:23 AM EST

The first chapter you wrote was the Stark kids (and one Snow) finding the direwolf cubs in the snow. But I've always wondered about the genesis of another of the major players in the Game:

In the foreward to A Game of Thrones, you thank Parris for "making you put the dragons in" How did the whole backstory with the Targeryan dynasty come about?

Are they intended to be the "elves" of ASOIAF (unworldly beauty, rich in lore and magic, etc...)?

Brian Sat, Nov 3, 2007 at 05:22 AM EST

The first chapter you wrote was the Stark kids (and one Snow) finding the direwolf cubs in the snow. But I've always wondered about the genesis of another of the major players in the Game:

In the foreward to A Game of Thrones, you thank Parris for "making you put the dragons in" How did the whole backstory with the Targeryan dynasty? Are they intended to be the "elves" of ASOIAF (unworldly beauty, rich in lore and magic, etc...)?

Rogan Dixon Fri, Nov 2, 2007 at 09:14 PM EST

It has been asked before (boskone 2005), specifically about how inspiration for the elde(est) Lord Walder Frey is based upon a certain historical Stewart Lord. More generally, how much inspiration does GRRM take from established history and can he hint as to how many of his characters are inspired by historical figures?

Paul Fri, Nov 2, 2007 at 08:06 PM EST

Why did you feel the ASOIAF series as a whole should be optioned as a TV series instead of the Dunk and Egg stories, which seemed to me to lend themselves to the screen better than 7 massive books?

Kathy Fri, Nov 2, 2007 at 06:23 PM EST

I've had long discussions with other fans about whether or not Sansa should have shown more gratitude to Tyrion for not forcing his rights as husband, and if Robert's sexual acts against Cersei can be counted against his character. Is rape within marriage considered morally acceptable in Westeros?

The night of the Blackwater battle, Sansa thinks the Hound meant to kiss her. Did he mean to do so, before she closed her eyes? What made her think he wanted a kiss?

Sarah Fri, Nov 2, 2007 at 05:31 PM EST

Also, while a couple of the WOT books were kind of slow, I felt that for the most part there was a pretty fair amount of action and events. Jordan created a great, detailed world, and a lot of characters that you care about. I respectfully disagree with the negative comments that many of the posters are making about the pacing of the books.

Sarah Fri, Nov 2, 2007 at 05:28 PM EST

This isn't a question, more of a comment. In reading Martin's site, he really comes across as jerky and disrespectful of his fans. He's taking a couple of years to deliver an already half-finished book, and has the nerve to complain that people keep asking when it will be done. Please stop acting like we're inconveniencing you by asking when we'll see the next book. As an author, you're not upholding your end of the relationship.

Greg Fri, Nov 2, 2007 at 05:09 PM EST

What is the main source of magic in the Song of Ice and Fire cannon? Is it blood? Are crimes where someone kills one of his own blood the worst? Was Eddard Stark's fate determined when he killed Sansa's pup? Is that scenario meant to be mirrored by his son in book 3 when Rob kills a Karlstark in a similar way? (Trying not to spoil things.) Are those both examples of blood magic or something else? This leads me to questions about Tyrion which would also spoil too much. Finally, aren't you sick of being asked about Robert Jordan? I'm sure that's one of the worst things to ask an author: "Will you please not die?" Give the man a break. Please.

Eric Fri, Nov 2, 2007 at 04:35 PM EST

I say this will all respect - do you even have an editor? I think we all could use someone who kicks our a** to keep us in line when we go squirrley (technical term), which judging from your work on Crows growing to more than a thousand pages and then just shipping that as a book (okay, a bit harsh, but essentially true) vs trying to, let's see, write an actual book-length work that actually moves the story along and yet also provides some closure, not just prolongs the wait for the next book.

Darren Fri, Nov 2, 2007 at 02:34 PM EST

To what extent had you plotted out the series when you were finished with "A Game of Thrones?" I know you had to restart "Feast for Crows" because you scrapped plans to shift the action forward - how much did that course correction affect the rest of the series?

Cast Peter Dinklage as Tyrion, please.

Erin Fri, Nov 2, 2007 at 02:34 PM EST

I didn't even read Feast Of Crows because I read the afterword first and realized that half the characters had been cut out. At that point I deduced that Martin was falling into the Robert Jordan syndrome. I'd like to know how he plans on recovering the series and moving it along towards a conclusion. After Jordan's death I think people have lost patience with neverending fantasy epics. And yes, when is that next book due out, because you have certainly given everyone the impression that it is done. At least Jordan wasn't being diverted into writing other novels, he focused on the WoT.

Fri, Nov 2, 2007 at 02:28 PM EST

While I Love, Love, Love - A Song of Ice and Fire, and believe that the first 3 books far surpass tolkien on nearly all levels - WHEN WILL IT END? I can no longer keep all the threads in my head after so many years and re-readings. I didn't have that problem with Jordan's wheel of time, because let's be honest, nothing really happened after the first 3 books.

Arya Fri, Nov 2, 2007 at 01:52 PM EST

"A Song of Ice and Fire" seems to be written from a politically progressive point of view (plenty of strong female characters, gay characters, etc) even if the world it's set in isn't so progressive.

How do you respond to claims that you've fallen into a stereotypically cliched male-fantasy point of view by showing lots of explicit woman-woman sexual relationships but no explicit male-male sexual relationships? (Or to more prurient: you've written plenty to please the fanboys; what about pleasing the fangirls?)

Kayelle Fri, Nov 2, 2007 at 01:15 PM EST

Do you think literary highbrows are wrong to exclude fantasy work such as Tolkien from consideration as high-art "canon"? Your brilliant fantasy series contains very little magic compared to others- how do you think that affects its reception and legacy?

Josh Fri, Nov 2, 2007 at 01:01 PM EST

1 Did your conception of any of the characters change in the course of writing the books, particularly during A Game of Thrones? In general, how has your conception of the series changed (if at all) in the course of writing it?
2 What do you think is the element of your work most misinterpreted by your readers?
3 In work completed on the series so far, what elements of your writing (specific characters, descriptions, plot points etc.) are you most and least happy with your depiction of?
4 What parts of the books are you most excited to convert into TV and what do you expect the greatest challenges to be in terms of making the transition from one medium to the other?
5 If you could pick only one scene from your work to be filmed, which would it be?

Bridget Fri, Nov 2, 2007 at 11:49 AM EST

Dear Mr. Martin,

I understand that you have a life outside of Fire and Ice, but I feel like you're just being cavalier towards your fans, who've been patiently waiting for you to finish a book that's been half done for several years now. Look at Robert Jordan... he was trying to get his last work done (at least when he had the strength) up until he passed away. Why do you feel like you can blow off your fans like this? Do you realize that it feels totally disrespectful to the people that have helped make you successful?

valdora Fri, Nov 2, 2007 at 11:27 AM EST

Here's a really particular question (which I realize means it probably won't get asked in a general interview): In "A Storm of Swords" there is a chapter early on where Sansa is thinking back to the scene at the end of "A Clash of Kings" when The Hound came into her room during the battle. She thinks in the chapter about how he kissed her, but in the scene in "A Clash of Kings" this didn't actually happen. Was that a typo or something?

BassSinger Fri, Nov 2, 2007 at 11:15 AM EST

Of course people will bring up Robert Jordan when discussing George R. R. Martin's claim to Tolkien. I think that R.J.'s premature death on the eve of finishing his final Wheel of Time novel will lead to more speculation and obsession than a living author with ongoing books. I hope Mr. Martin will continue writing for a very long time. His is definately one of the best writers in the genre. For me he will always be a Salieri to Jordan's Mozart.

Mark Fri, Nov 2, 2007 at 10:47 AM EST

Loved Fevre Dream - will you ever write a horror novel again?

Orichalcum Fri, Nov 2, 2007 at 09:44 AM EST

How did you get the idea to base a fantasy series on the late Wars of the Roses, and what were your major sources of inspiration? Were the Targaryens intended as Normans?

Melody Auvinen Fri, Nov 2, 2007 at 09:32 AM EST

When is the next book following 'A Feast for Crows' coming out? Why is it taking so long if it's already been written?

Heleno Fri, Nov 2, 2007 at 09:24 AM EST

Why are you writing short stories instead of giving us more Ice and Fire? And are you eating healthily, exercising moderately and avoiding accident black spots when driving?

Filthydelphia Eagles Fan Fri, Nov 2, 2007 at 08:28 AM EST

Do you know how you want to end the Song of Ice and Fire series? If so, how long into the series did you have the ending in mind? And if not, has anything surprising happened in the books that you didn't expect when you started?

Crystal Fri, Nov 2, 2007 at 08:12 AM EST

How do you think the trend in "urban fantasy" is affecting traditional fantasy?
What authors are you rally enjoying reading right now?

Tammy Fri, Nov 2, 2007 at 07:59 AM EST

Wow Laura! I feel exactly the same way. I loved the first three books, but I have finally decided to just wait until he's done to read the rest of the series. I hate feeling as if my chain is being yanked. I made the same decision about Jordan.

Chitra Fri, Nov 2, 2007 at 07:42 AM EST

Do you already know how all the characters and story arcs end? Or are there any characters who are suprising you as you write them?

Carrie Fri, Nov 2, 2007 at 07:22 AM EST

What are your thoughts on Duke football beating Northwestern? ;)

Popinjay Fri, Nov 2, 2007 at 06:43 AM EST

I see there is a Wild Cards book coming out in February. What is your role in that series now? What can you expect for the future? What do you see as the legacy of this shared universe? What, if any, television or film plans are there for the Wild Cards Universe?

mage?! Fri, Nov 2, 2007 at 12:26 AM EST

Are you going to continue your Wildcards series? Will it be a multi-author collaboration or a single writer work?

Mike Thu, Nov 1, 2007 at 11:12 PM EST

There are definite symbolisms to be found in the relationships and shared fates of the Stark children with their direwolf companions. Will Arya ever be reunited with Nymeria?

NYC Fan Thu, Nov 1, 2007 at 10:25 PM EST

What's going on with HBO turning The Song of Ice and Fire into a TV series?

NYC Fan Thu, Nov 1, 2007 at 10:25 PM EST

What's going on with HBO turning The Song of Ice and Fire into a TB series?

ZC Thu, Nov 1, 2007 at 09:27 PM EST

There are many recurring themes in your work, but one I haven't seen you comment on so much are: the super-powerful (and sometimes super-evil) children. You seem interested in juveniles who are raised to all kinds of power and responsibility far beyond their years, and how they respond (sometimes well, sometimes ... really not well) to that. Have you thought about where that interest of yours comes from? Do you see this as one of the important themes of _A Song of Ice and Fire_?

noreen Thu, Nov 1, 2007 at 08:42 PM EST

Can you give us some hint about the fate of Brienne?
Which family do you enjoy writing about the most? Are there any families or individual characters that you started writing one way, but they evolved into something different?

Olivia Thu, Nov 1, 2007 at 08:12 PM EST

Question for GRRM: Given that "A Dance With Dragons" focuses on the characters left out of the "Feast of Crows", when will we see "Feast's cliffhangers resolved (i.e. what happens to Cersei)? At the end of the "Dance", or will we have to wait until "The Winds of Winter"?

Brian H Thu, Nov 1, 2007 at 07:50 PM EST

Why do you find it so easy to kill off your main characters?

Laura Thu, Nov 1, 2007 at 07:20 PM EST

Will you promise not to Robert Jordan us?
This is a cruel question, considering Martin was friends with Jordan, and Jordan passed away only a few weeks ago. But there IS a faction of fantasy readers who were enraged (the word betrayed is used) by Jordan's "Wheel of Time" turning into an endless meander that they felt he milked for our dollars.
When "A Feast for Crows" came out, and a full half of the characters didn't appear in it, (as occurred in Jordan's own book five, the beginning of the endless meander), "A Dance of Dragons" was instantly promised in about six month's time--it was just the other half of "Feast" that was divided off, so it was practically written. It's been a year and a half since then and there's NO SIGN of it (even after an idea of an HBO series which meant forced due dates for the last four books.) There's a growing sense of dread among the fantasy readers who have bought in that we may be burned again.
No, I don't actually expect you to ask this. Thanks.

Johnny Tex Thu, Nov 1, 2007 at 07:11 PM EST

Question for GRRM: How did Wheel of Time author Robert Jordan's recent death affect your personal and professional priorities?

Binky Thu, Nov 1, 2007 at 06:57 PM EST

Doh, that should be "Feast For Crows," not "Feast Of Crows." :-)

Binky Thu, Nov 1, 2007 at 06:56 PM EST

In "Feast of Crows," the girls survive by assuming new identities, while the adult women all fail. Was this a deliberate theme or an accident?

Bek Thu, Nov 1, 2007 at 06:18 PM EST

Other than the desperate cry for a release date? Other than the 'Is REALLY dead?'

I'd ask who the third head of the dragon is. I'm fairly certain I know who the first two are. ;)

Ben Thu, Nov 1, 2007 at 06:07 PM EST

Where do Ice Zombies come from?

Scott Thu, Nov 1, 2007 at 05:49 PM EST

I'm sure he's never been asked this - when is the next Song of Ice and Fire book coming out?

Mike Thu, Nov 1, 2007 at 05:37 PM EST

When is the next Wildcards novel?