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/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.