George R.R. Martin Declares HBO’s Game of Thrones Ending Will Not Affect Books
John F. Trent
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George R.R. Martin declared that HBO’s Game of Thrones ending will not affect his conclusion to his A Song of Ice and Fire Series.
Martin spoke to The Guardian:
“No, it doesn’t. It doesn’t change anything at all… As Rick Nelson says in Garden Party, one of my favourite songs, you can’t please everybody, so you’ve got to please yourself.”
He did add that the show’s ending is similar to the ending in the books. Martin stated, “They’re not the same thing, although they are very closely related to each other.” (Related: Game of Thrones Creator George R.R. Martin Confirms The Winds of Winter to Be Published by Summer 2020)
Martin would also discuss how the show affected his writing noting it increased his stress as he attempted to try and stay ahead of the show. (Related: Game of Thrones Creator George R.R. Martin Debunks Winds of Winter and A Dream of Spring Rumors)
“There were a couple of years where, if I could have finished the book, I could have stayed ahead of the show for another couple of years, and the stress was enormous.”
He added:
“I don’t think it was very good for me, because the very thing that should have speeded me up actually slowed me down. Every day I sat down to write and even if I had a good day – and a good day for me is three or four pages – I’d feel terrible because I’d be thinking: ‘My God, I have to finish the book. I’ve only written four pages when I should have written 40.’ But having the show finish is freeing, because I’m at my own pace now. I have good days and I have bad days and the stress is far less, although it’s still there… I’m sure that when I finish A Dream of Spring you’ll have to tether me to the Earth.”
Martin would also note that he relishes the reactions of fans even if they are negative. (Related: Game of Thrones Creator George R.R. Martin: “Gandalf COULD Kick Dumbledore’s Ass”)
“I’m glad of the emotional reactions, whether to the books or the television show, because that’s what fiction is all about – emotion. If you want to make an intellectual argument or persuade someone, then write an essay or a piece of journalism, write nonfiction. Fiction… should feel as if you’re living these things when you read or watch them. If you’re so distanced by it that a character dies and you don’t care, then to an extent the author has failed.”
What do you make about Martin’s comments? Do you think the ending of HBO’s Game of Thrones and the fan reaction to it will influence his ending for the novels?
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