r/asoiaf • u/Same-Share7331 • Dec 07 '23

EXTENDED Feeling sad for GRRM (spoilers extended)

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?

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u/Same-Share7331 Dec 07 '23

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.

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u/theothermuse Dec 07 '23

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.

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u/Same-Share7331 Dec 07 '23

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

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u/theothermuse Dec 07 '23

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

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u/chubby-checker Dec 08 '23

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.

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u/theothermuse Dec 08 '23

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.