Writing a massive franchise like A Song of Ice and Fire is no piece of cake. George R.R. Martin took years to develop the story, and as he continues to finish the upcoming The Winds of Winter, he’s constantly faced with the same struggle that plagued him in the past.
In his interview with Joanna Buffum for the April 2013 issue of New Jersey Monthly Magazine (via Sea of Shelves), the author shared his frustration with writing too many storylines:
A constant challenge is how do you keep all these plots straight? I feel like I’m juggling a bunch of balls, and sometimes it’s hard to keep all the balls separate from each other. The sheer size of the series is daunting.
With so many characters and plot lines, it’s no surprise Martin would now feel too overwhelmed by the massive world he created, which is also one of the many speculations as to why the book has been delayed for more than a decade now.
GRRM Already Regretted One Character Arc In ASOIAF
George R.R. Martin / Credits: Penguin Random House on YouTube
George R.R. Martin / Credits: WTTW News on YouTube
George R.R. Martin / Credits: 92NY Plus on YouTube
Martin deliberately chose to write A Song of Ice and Fire through the eyes of various POV characters, believing it’s the most effective way of conveying the story of Westeros. Indeed, it was compelling and a good way to know each main character’s thought process.
The author, however, surprisingly regretted one viewpoint character, and that is Arys Oakheart. Martin thought it would be a great idea to let the readers know what he thought in that particular chapter in A Feast for Crows. The matter is that he only had a single chapter. Martin later realized he could have reduced his work and just included Arys’ arc in Arianne’s POV.
Because the plot has gotten even more complicated now, Martin assured fans he will not have new viewpoint characters in the next book. However, he also revealed there had been “a lot of characters who have sort of popped up and budded their way into the story” via the Toronto International Film Festival.
How Martin is going to “keep all the balls separate” when he likes introducing new names is a problem he has yet to solve.
The Winds of Winter Could Still Be Saved By Streamlining The Plot
George R.R. Martin / Credits: Brown University interview on YouTube
George R.R. Martin / Credits: Authors at Google on YouTube
George R.R. Martin / Credits: TIFF Originals on YouTube
Apart from limiting the characters, Martin could expedite his novel’s progress by streamlining the story. This can be done by focusing on the main journey of the central characters.
The 77-year-old writer admitted how challenging it is to weave all arcs in an extremely complex fashion. His main struggle with The Winds of Winter is the fact that it feels like a dozen different novels, which is, of course, the result of the author’s decision years ago.
Had it been an easy story to write, Martin would have finished it long ago despite his busy schedule. He was able to do that with Fire & Blood, which he claimed was an easier one to draft because of its linear format.
A Song of Ice and FireRelease DateA Game of Thrones1996A Clash of Kings1998A Storm of Swords2000A Feast for Crows2005A Dance with Dragons2011The Winds of WinterTBAA Dream of SpringTBA
What do you think is the best way for Martin to finish The Winds of Winter? Share your thoughts below!
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
