Will George R. R. Martin live long enough to finish his GoT series?

[Leafar the Lost]

I know this makes GRRM angry whenever its brought up, but I have to ask the question anyway. Robert Jordan gave an outline, notes, and ideas to another writer to finish his Wheel of Time series. So far, GRRM has refused to do so. In my opinion, his publisher should either make him pick another writer or they should pick one for him.

Its nothing personal against GRRN, but his age and weight have to be taken into consideration. He has millions of fans, and he owes it to them to make sure his series gets finished with or without him.

 

[ThePhantasm]

He doesn't owe anyone anything, and if he'd prefer that no one else finish his creation he has the right to decide that. Either way, you'll get an ending of sorts in the TV show.

As for the titular question of this thread, no one here is a fortune teller, there's no way to know what could happen. WoW should be out next year, hopefully the final book won't take too long.

 

[Leafar the Lost]

GRRM seems to delight in taking his time with the series. We are assuming that after WoW there will be one more book, but that is not certain. Considering that GoT has made him and his publisher very rich, then I would argue that he does owe his fans something instead of the middle finger.

 

[ThePhantasm]

He doesn't delight in taking his time. He writes at the pace that he always has. These books are massive, and writing is a laborious process.

 

[Moridin]

Given his age, being obese, there being 2 (?) more books and how long it takes him to write, I'd honestly have to say I'd be surprised if he makes it to the end.

 

[Sawyer]

I'm really not comfortable with this question being thrown around so much, much less making a thread about it. It feels disrespectful.

 

[ThePhantasm]

Its morbid, selfish speculation that treats a man's life as only valuable for the entertainment he can provide in his remaining years.

Yeah, I'd say its disrespectful.

 

[KevanG]

It's a pretty terrible question. "Should we fire the author who created this thing we love so much to hand it to someone else because we think he takes too long?". As a writer myself, admittedly unpublished or even proofread , I know I'd be very insulted if someone said that to me if I had created a world full of characters that I brought out of my head and was told it should be taken away from me because I took too long.

There's a big difference between leaving something unfinished and taking your time to make sure it's something with quality.

 

[Thundercrack85]

Still not as bad as George Lucas.

 

[Moridin]

It's a pretty terrible question. "Should we fire the author who created this thing we love so much to hand it to someone else because we think he takes too long?". As a writer myself, admittedly unpublished or even proofread , I know I'd be very insulted if someone said that to me if I had created a world full of characters that I brought out of my head and was told it should be taken away from me because I took too long.

There's a big difference between leaving something unfinished and taking your time to make sure it's something with quality.

That isn't the question.

 

[KevanG]

Lucas was never satisfied with what he made and wanted to edit it constantly. He got his way and changed a bunch but he turned off a lot of people. GRRM just likes doing what he does.

 

[KevanG]

That isn't the question.

Really? ****. Benedryl makes me having reading comprehension issues.

My point still stands though because that's the other question I hear a lot about GRRM and the series, especially with the show caught up.

 

[Victarion]

George does not owe me, or anyone else, anything. Besides, there's plenty of other authors in the genre worth exploring: Steven Erikson, Joe Abercrombie, Mark Lawrence, and Glen Cook to name a few I enjoy.

 

[Marvolo]

Give me a sec to sacrifice a goat and see what the entrails tell.

 

[Slushy]

Supposedly, Martin told producers how to end the show in the event of his death. Now, that's dedication!

 

[Tanin]

Yes, a lot of older authors that are working on big long works will have contingency plans, but RR seems to want to finish it himself. Unless the publisher has the rights to the books upon his death it isn't anyone's business but his own what he decides to do with his work.

 

[KevanG]

I'm sure he has a safety deposit box that's only to be opened in the event of his death. It has the last three hundred pages of the series wrapping up everything nice and neat then ending with "Then from out of nowhere more White Walkers poured down in a wave killing everyone and covering the planet in eternal winter. THE END"

 

[zeroapoc]

It makes him mad because it's rude as hell. If you can't see why then there's no point in me trying to explain it.

 

[VictorDomashev]

With the show caught up to the book. Its game on now for the show

 

[Marvolo]

Yes, a lot of older authors that are working on big long works will have contingency plans, but RR seems to want to finish it himself. Unless the publisher has the rights to the books upon his death it isn't anyone's business but his own what he decides to do with his work.

Yes and no. It is some of the business of the fans who dpent money on ASOIF books and merchandise and have spent years dedicated to this world he has created. The fans who are the reason he was able to publish more than the first book. The fans who came back for more and waited years for books 4&5 , and now are waiting years for 6.

I know this isnt an idea everyone believes in , but Im one of those people who believes that art of any kind no longer remains the sole property of the creator after it is sold and dispersed en mass to the populace. Legally and contractually and by copyright it does, but once something sinks into the public sphere and the popculture the people have a staked interest in it that goes beyond legal contracts and copyright. I think any author with dedicated fans should reward them with more than disappointment and a cruel joke. Fans will keep his work alive and preserved long after he is gone. Turning his back on them is a poor way to return their favor and dedication. Im still hopeful he will come to his senses and either work more effectively and in a timely manner or ensure that this story doesnt remain unfinished should, god forbid, his death be sooner rather than later.

He already has people he relies on to remember continuity and finer details that he cant remember : Elio Garcia and Linda Antonsson who run Westeros.org, and in his own words, "know more about this world than I do". He has relied on them for ADWD and The World of Ice and Fire and very clearly trusts them and their vast knowledge of the world of ASOIF. They along with a proven writer (he has praised more than one) could finish the books if he died.

Its up to him of course unless his publisher somehow makes the decision for him, but if he blocks the series from finishing in the event of his death Ill consider it a selfish foolish decision and one that will not do the meandering unfinished series too many favors as time passes.

 

[Lantern Venom]

I'm really not comfortable with this question being thrown around so much, much less making a thread about it. It feels disrespectful.

Its morbid, selfish speculation that treats a man's life as only valuable for the entertainment he can provide in his remaining years.

Yeah, I'd say its disrespectful.

Martin is no dummy. He knows that the question of "Will you hand off your work to another writer?" is really just a mask for demanding fans who are saying, "Write faster, you old fattie!" Yes, I'd say he has a right to get angry when being confronted with that.

His universe. His rules. Just enjoy the ride.

 

[Leafar the Lost]

Yes and no. It is some of the business of the fans who dpent money on ASOIF books and merchandise and have spent years dedicated to this world he has created. The fans who are the reason he was able to publish more than the first book. The fans who came back for more and waited years for books 4&5 , and now are waiting years for 6.

I know this isnt an idea everyone believes in , but Im one of those people who believes that art of any kind no longer remains the sole property of the creator after it is sold and dispersed en mass to the populace. Legally and contractually and by copyright it does, but once something sinks into the public sphere and the popculture the people have a staked interest in it that goes beyond legal contracts and copyright. I think any author with dedicated fans should reward them with more than disappointment and a cruel joke. Fans will keep his work alive and preserved long after he is gone. Turning his back on them is a poor way to return their favor and dedication. Im still hopeful he will come to his senses and either work more effectively and in a timely manner or ensure that this story doesnt remain unfinished should, god forbid, his death be sooner rather than later.

He already has people he relies on to remember continuity and finer details that he cant remember : Elio Garcia and Linda Antonsson who run Westeros.org, and in his own words, "know more about this world than I do". He has relied on them for ADWD and The World of Ice and Fire and very clearly trusts them and their vast knowledge of the world of ASOIF. They along with a proven writer (he has praised more than one) could finish the books if he died.

Its up to him of course unless his publisher somehow makes the decision for him, but if he blocks the series from finishing in the event of his death Ill consider it a selfish foolish decision and one that will not do the meandering unfinished series too many favors as time passes.

You are correct, sir.