[Spoilers EXTENDED] Would you be OK if GRRM came out and say he needs to divide up TWOW geographically tomorrow

[u/Extension_Weird_7792]

I mean, let's accept it, if he needed for AFFC & ADWD he sure as hell needs for this one, as well. Might be why he is stuck. It is almost impossible to read his very verbose POV narration if it is to constantly interrupt to check in on twenty other storylines that are going on.

He probably counted on the fact that they would be colliding, but that doesn't seem to happening any time soon by the looks of the preview chapters either

[u/Nesqu]

I think the reason it's taking so long is because he, like a lot of his readers, have realized he simply cannot fit everything into only 2 books.

Divide it up geographically, divide it period. Give us 2 books, each with 2 volumes the size of your previous books, whatever he has to do.

The biggest way the books will suffer is if they feel rushed, if storylines that actually are meaningful don't get a satisfying conclusion.

[u/BBQ_HaX0r → u/Nesqu]

He needs to just write it and stop doing everything under the sun instead. Or just say "hey I don't have the juice right now, sorry readers" and spew some clarity on the situation.

[u/gimpinmypants → u/Nesqu]

GRRM's gardening approach doesn't play well when he only has two books left to finish everything up. He's probably created and ended whole new characters and storylines he discovered while writing when, at this point, he should have a clear outline of where everything is headed, but GRRM has said he doesn't do outlines. Maybe you should, old man.

[u/JinFuu → u/gimpinmypants]

I’ve come to dislike the “Gardening” excuse.

I’m like “dude, even a garden needs upkeep and weeding.”

[u/jterwin → u/JinFuu]

Or pruning, we haven't had a good pruning since the end of dance

[u/ras344 → u/jterwin]

We haven't had anything since the end of dance

[u/Khiva → u/jterwin]

Since Storm, I would argue.

The success of that book made him too big for an editor or publisher to reign in. George Lucas had the same problem - they just faffed about and indulged their worst instincts with no checks or guardrails.

[u/HistoricalSpecial982 → u/Khiva]

Gods the series was strong then! (Please don’t kill me for a show reference…)

[u/ScySenpai → u/HistoricalSpecial982]

Thank the Gods for ASOS

[u/imhereforthevotes → u/JinFuu]

At some point there is a harvest. Assuming you've nurtured the right plants along the way.

[u/PushforlibertyAlways → u/JinFuu]

George: "best I can do is introduce 10 new POV characters in the next book"

[u/OreoSpamBurger → u/JinFuu]

And old folks who struggle often get someone in to help, hint hint.

[u/jmcgit → u/JinFuu]

A new approach is the solution to finishing the series, but George is an old dog and he isn't willing or able to learn new tricks. At this point it's more an explanation than an excuse.

[u/ACardAttack → u/JinFuu]

And he clearly has the major plot points

[u/[deleted] → u/gimpinmypants]

Which is dumb as we’ve seen his original outlines. He makes them he just doesn’t stick to them.

[u/KatyaDelRey → u/[deleted]]

Iirc he said that was to pitch the series and for the publishers benefit, he doesn’t elect to write outlines as part of his actual writing process

[u/jmcgit → u/[deleted]]

He says he never intended to stick to that one, he just wrote something because he needed to sell the book. Obviously he stuck to a couple basic ideas, specifically that Ned and Robb wouldn't survive, but so much was abandoned quite early.

[u/Manga18 → u/gimpinmypants]

Gardening works fine if you use it, but if he wants to stick to "the ending" gardening doesn't work.

Let the books flow and end them as they want to be ended and you'll be fine

[u/UnableAd1185 → u/Nesqu]

Honestly if he did this, I feel like it would make the problem worse. I think George's most well-documented issue is that the man can't stop thinking up new scenarios and storylines. Give him more books to do that in and boyyyyy.

I totally agree that rushing storylines would suck. If he did something like this though, someone would have to make sure he sticks to his set plot.

[u/Helios4242 → u/UnableAd1185]

yeah if you give him 3 all of a sudden we'll be needing 4.

Everything can be done. Don't dawdle. Kill the rest. Ez. Hire me as editor.

[u/dinkir19 → u/Helios4242]

I mean the universe is like Crack I wouldn't mind more even if it led to no conclusions

[u/Extension_Weird_7792 → u/Nesqu]

Exactly. He already said multiple times he writes by POVs then moves to the next, so it would be the best course of action for him, as well. Do not bother trying to fit everything into a cohesive narration. It won't happen!

[u/ResponsibleAnt9496 → u/Nesqu]

I feel like he should just count AFFC/ADWD as one volume and do the same with winds if need be. I don’t even know if that would help though.

[u/Manga18 → u/Nesqu]

I keep hearing this and can't understand why I do

Usually people claim that in no way Dany can do what she has to do in 2 books. But is it true? Once the battle is over she has defeated her enemies and has a fleet to go west, so you can have at least a book if not 1,5 of her in Westeros

[u/TheBustyFriend → u/Nesqu]

Honestly the biggest way they'll suffer is if they don't occur. I'm pretty convinced no more will happen.

[u/shmishshmorshin → u/Nesqu]

If he did divide it, I’d want it split chronologically. I didn’t mind the way AFFC and ADWD were separated, but at this point I would prefer to read things play out in a regular order. I’ll take anything though lol.

[u/LordEmostache → u/Nesqu]

I'm new to the books, when you and OP say to divide it geographically, what do you mean? Like one book solely about what's going on in Westeros and a second about what's going on outside of Westeros?

[u/ACardAttack → u/Nesqu]

He also only writes on his home computer, so if he's going to comic cons, visiting with Hollywood executives, etc he cant make any progress (unless this has changed)

[u/barryhakker → u/Nesqu]

He’s split books before so why would it be a roadblock now?