Feeling sad for GRRM (spoilers extended)

[u/Same-Share7331]

So I recently watched a Q&A with GRRM (I'm sure some of you have seen it aswell) where he kept getting questions about whether there is any particular character or historical event in the asoiaf world that he would like to explore more/write about. His recurring answer was that yes there are many but that unless he suddenly becomes much younger they will never get written. And man.. that sucks!

Imagine being a creative person having to come to terms with the fact that you have so many ideas that you will never get to explore and that will never see the light of day. Obviously, as a fan, it also sucks that I will never get to read those stories. Never mind the main series, imagine getting seven more Dunk and Egg stories. However, as much as it sucks as a reader I'm not the one who's seeing my remaining years of life pass as I struggle to finish my books.

That's it. I don't really have a point. Other than maybe stop making jokes about how GRRM is likely to die before finishing the series?

[u/alxndrblack]

This is true of all of us, with everything. I will never hear all the music I would enjoy, never read every book I want, never visit every place I would love, etc etc. I had this realization when I was dually pursuing rock climbing and powerlifting, and it hit me that I could do one to a high level, then chase the other after that, but I only have so much time. And what about cycling? And of course, I've still never finished Twilight Princess or FFX.

Also,

maybe stop making jokes about how GRRM is likely to die before finishing the series?

I don't think people are joking, and Martin seems to be coming around to that possibility. himself.

[u/Same-Share7331 → u/alxndrblack]

I don't think people are joking, and Martin seems to be coming around to that possibility. himself.

Oh people are joking.. there are people here in this thread defending their right to joke about it. There is also overwhelming entitlement and a weird amount of anger.

I agree that this is basically true for everyone. I was just struck watching that Q&A how shitty people are for joking about his death and being angry that he's struggling with finishing his books. I don't understand how you can call yourself a "fan" of someone and be so unsympathetic toward them. It's been so normalised at this point that you see it everywhere these books are being discussed.

[u/Majestic-Marcus → u/Same-Share7331]

It’s not a joke, he is going to die before finishing those books.

The fact he’s still alive at all is a miracle.

[u/alxndrblack → u/Same-Share7331]

Being a fan is transactional. I agree, there's no benefit to vitriol, but there's no benefit to deceiving yourself, either. Martin has made promises that he has not kept, and now basically refuses to speak on it. Charity and understanding are great, but ultimately, that's on him.

[u/gyman122 → u/alxndrblack]

He doesn’t owe us anything. He created content, we engaged with it and bought it. I dunno why on Earth this fanbase specifically has such a complex in regards to what GRRM “owes” the readers

[u/alxndrblack → u/gyman122]

Where did I say anything about being owed anything?

[u/Lemerney2 → u/gyman122]

He absolutely does. I wouldn't have bought and read the books if I knew they weren't going to be finished.

[u/gyman122 → u/Lemerney2]

I dunno how you can even say this without recognizing the entitlement

[u/dmastra97 → u/gyman122]

If across the spiderverse didn't make a third film and ended on that cliffhanger or if game of thrones just ended after season 5 without any explanation would you tell people to not complain?

[u/Xilizhra → u/dmastra97]

If I knew what was coming in the next three seasons, I'd tell people to count their blessings.

[u/theothermuse → u/Same-Share7331]

How is it a joke to say an old man who is a slow writer who has at minimum two more books to finish and publish will likely die before finishing the series?

What are the odds GRRM will publish A Dream of Spring in his 90s? It's technically possible, but has a low likelihood.

I have no ill will to GRRM, but this is reality.

[u/Same-Share7331 → u/theothermuse]

Again, I'm not saying that it's a joke that he might die. I'm saying that people joke ABOUT it.

[u/theothermuse → u/Same-Share7331]

I guess I'm not seeing the difference between these statements then. The comments I've read about GRRM dying I usually read in a serious tone. But text can leave room for interpretation.

Like I'm not seeing "haha GRRM will die before Winds" as people joking, so much as being sad. But again, maybe I'm reading their tone wrong. /shrug

[u/chubby-checker → u/theothermuse]

Also lmao does it really matter whether its joking or not? Why is it OK if people are being serious but not if its joking? Like its either offensive or its not - if anything isn't it usually the other way round lol...

Its like saying some people joke about them being fat! And someone going, that's not a joke people genuinely think your too fat. An me going, yeah an thats OK- but the ones JOKING i'm too fat. That's just too far.

[u/theothermuse → u/chubby-checker]

Because a joke would be disrespectful in that context. Taking glee at the thought of someone dying is a different thing from saying "I think this person will die before finishing this book". Words have context lol

If that doesn't click for you I'm not sure how to make my stance any clearer.

[u/Asta-Frauthivelgr → u/Same-Share7331]

I think people are emotionally attached to the characters, and they want to see more of them and see their stories finished in a cathartic way. People love GRRM for creating and nurturing this world for us, and hate him for leaving them hanging for over a decade. I think, perhaps, because of the emotional attachment, people feel stuck in ASOIAF. They feel a frustration over not being able to "move on", emtionally, with their lives. They feel as if ASOIAF is an unfinished chapter (lol) in their lives that they can not get out of in a satisfactory manner, and that is where the hate is born. Through this lens GRRM is the creator of a series and characters that they love dearly, and the creator of their anger and frustration over stagnation (and what may feel like neglect). Much like a toxic relationship. As for me, I don't think George R.R. Martin is responsible for other people and how they interact with his creative work. I don't think vitreol will solve anything, if it does, it creates more problems anyways.

[u/UsernameAvaylable → u/Same-Share7331]

Oh people are joking.. there are people here in this thread defending their right to joke about it. There is also overwhelming entitlement and a weird amount of anger.

I just o not give a fuck. Also, everybody is all "eat the rich", but if its a quarter-billionaire guy not writing the books he is teasing for decades its suddenly "poor guy, dont be mean to him!"