1269 réponses à ce sujet

[Seagloom]

He's great. Sweet is on my short list of artists that have inspired me. Him contributing to that book makes it an automatic sale for me.

I haven't seen this particular image before, Looks like Jon and Ghost alright. He hasn't uploaded anything new to his website in ages, and I usually don't go out of my way to google random art sites. Maybe I should start.

[Fredward]

My favourite series. My favourite series used to be Wheel of Time but then Robert Jordan died and Brandon Sanderson ruined the books but anywhoo... the only thing that really peeves me about the books at the moment is that the five year gap never happened. Now Arya's gonna be some super awesome ninja assassin at like... 11? Seems silly. Unavoidable I suppose but still silly. Also Dany turned into a moron, she better get her groove back when the new book is eventually released.

[Megaton_Hope]

Eww, Wheel of Time.

About a fifth done with Storm of Swords, now. Still not impressed with Sansa.

I had wondered what would possess the wildlings to risk the territory north of the wall, but I suppose it makes a certain kind of sense, with a recent discovery. I'd be much more comfortable with fixed fortifications if I were them, though.

[Fredward]

Megaton_Hope wrote...

Eww, Wheel of Time.

Yeah I get that reaction a lot.

But I'll be damned if after like, 10 books I didn't like those characters better than my family. Especially Nynaeve. Man I loved her. -sigh- Nostalgia.

It would be cool if Sansa ever became as adept in the game as Varys or Littlefinger because she does bore me to tears sometimes. On a side note, Varys is awesome.

Modifié par Foopydoopydoo, 28 juin 2012 - 09:23 .

[TJPags]

Addai67 wrote...

GRRM posted some writing updates at his blog.  The things that caught my eye:

"THE WINDS OF WINTER. Also known as 'Son of Kong.' Working on it. Lots to do.

THE WORLD OF ICE AND FIRE. The concordance. Elio and Linda are my partners on this one, a compendium of the history and legends of the world of Westeros. A coffee table book, lots of gorgeous art from such talents as Ted Nasmith, Justin Sweet, and others. Making good progress on this one of late, lots of great historical stuff that I think my readers will enjoy. Never before revealed details of Aegon's Conquest, the War With the Faith, The Dance of the Dragons, the Paramours of Aegon the Unworthy, etc.

....
Dunk & Egg #4, An original novella of Dunk & Egg. Working on it. Hope to have it done by worldcon. It's scheduled to be published in

DANGEROUS WOMEN. A huge crossgenre anthology that Gardner Dozois and I are doing for Tor. Largely complete, except for Dunk & Egg. Well, we're waiting for three rewrites, but my own story will likely be the last one in, then we can move this one to 'done and delivered.'"

Never before revealed details sound pretty cool!!  Worldcon is at the end of August.  So I would guess we would see Dunk & Egg 4 by the end of the year.  *impatient sigh*

Working on it.  I see.

Also working on a coffee table book (his "World of Ice & Fire"), a Dunk & Egg book, and editing the anthology in which the Dunk & Egg book will appear.  The Dunk & Egg book - which he is writing - oddly, will be the last one submitted to the editor on this - which is him.

Also writing a short story for another anthology, which is "Way, way overdue".

Working on the next volume of his Wildcard series.  Also "late, but almost done, a last few sections need to be completed".

Old Mars - yet another anthology he's working on. 

And Old Venus, an anthology sequel to Old Mars, not due for a year.  Good to see we have that scheduled.

And of course another anthology.  Not late yet, since there's plenty of time.  Good to know.

His "map book" is finally done.  Well, that's good.

And let's not forget, he continues to work on the HBO series.

Yea, when is it we were estimating Winds to come out?  2016?  I think we should revise that . . .2018, anyone?

Modifié par TJPags, 29 juin 2012 - 12:29 .

[Seagloom]

2018? Can officially count Winds of Winter as his final tome then? ;p

[LPPrince]

The man certainly works overtime.

[TJPags]

He works, that's true. Overtime, I'm not so sure about that . . . almost seems he's working part-time hours on about 5 different full-time jobs.

[LPPrince]

I'll give you that one.

[Megaton_Hope]

TJPags wrote...
Working on it.  I see.

Also working on a coffee table book (his "World of Ice & Fire"),

Well t' be fair to that one, his part is probably almost done to start off with, he just has to collate his notes and papers in a form that makes sense to other people. Th' rest would be other artists and designers, photographers, and that kind of thing.

[TJPags]

Megaton_Hope wrote...

TJPags wrote...
Working on it.  I see.

Also working on a coffee table book (his "World of Ice & Fire"),

Well t' be fair to that one, his part is probably almost done to start off with, he just has to collate his notes and papers in a form that makes sense to other people. Th' rest would be other artists and designers, photographers, and that kind of thing.

Yup.  And the anthologies he's editing, those stories are mainly written by other authors (except, obviously, when he contributes a story, as he is doing in one instance as noted).

And understand, I don't have any grudge about this guy doing other things. He's in demand as an editor (I imagine that to be the case, since he seems to edit so many), has one book series turned into a TV show, is writing another series (the Dunk & Egg books) and working on another.  All this is great. 

I don't mind his appearance at just about every convention under the sun - authors participating in these things are great.  Hell, I don't even mind that he enjoys football, and takes vacations.  We all need hobbies, and we all need vacations.

My complaint is that, the thing which has gained him many of these oportunities - the aSoIaF book series - has been delayed time and again while these other pursuits are, well, pursued.  I'm sure that on his tax returns he identifies himself as an author or writer or something similar.  That's his job, his primary job, by his choice (again, I imagine, as I can't envision someone forcing him to write this or any other book).

I just wish he'd spend more time actually doing it.  Frankly, I find it amazing that his publisher is willing to accept the repeated and ever-increasing delays which have accompanied Storm, Feast, Dance, and likely now Winds.

[LPPrince]

When he's as great an author as he is, of course people are gonna give him a break.

[Seagloom]

His publisher might not have a choice. What are they going to turn? Kick out one of the most successful fantasy authors of our time? At this stage GRRM has earned enough street cred that he can be a bit of a diva if he wants to.

Truthfully, I do not mind so much that he takes his sweet time with ASoIaF anymore. This may sound incredibly silly, but I'm not sure it matters to me that he ever finishes it. I think no matter what happens, I won't be satisfied with the story's conclusion. Whatever I think might happen is far more fulfilling that the reality will probably be. ASoIaF is on a sluggardly downward spiral in quality as it progresses. The novelty of a dark world where bad things can happen to anyone; including perceived protagonists, has long since worn off. All we have left is lots of buildup toward a likely adequate, but hardly earth shattering finale.

I think GRRM realizes that too. He has openly remarked on feeling the pressure of ending ASoIaF properly. I'm satisfied with what I got. We're still cool if he doesn't manage to finish it.

Modifié par Seagloom, 29 juin 2012 - 10:52 .

[Dhiro]

I have to agree with Seagloom, the series just aren't the same for me anymore. Of course, he may surprise me in Winds of Winter, but I'll be happy reading the three first books non stop.

...Also, #TeamCatelyn.

[Addai]

So what that he's not slaving over WoW 24/7? I get so sick of the criticism. NO PERSON can work on the same thing every day, all day- and that goes moreso for those in a creative role. You have your romance novelists and John Grishams who crank out half a dozen novels a year. GRRM has said he simply doesn't work that way- and thank the old gods he doesn't, because those books are about as rewarding as the effort that was put into them.

And of course he feels pressure to end it well- who wouldn't feel pressure, with the scrutiny the books get? It doesn't mean he doesn't think he can pull it off. It just means he's human, not a machine.

[Nameless one7]

Does anyone know where a list of George R.R. Martin's favorite books is??

[Seagloom]

Addai67 wrote...

And of course he feels pressure to end it well- who wouldn't feel pressure, with the scrutiny the books get? It doesn't mean he doesn't think he can pull it off.

GRRM has publicly expressed doubts over pulling it off. At least in a way he hopes will please the majority of fans. He is cognizant of the very real possibility his conclusion may be panned, and is understandably approaching it with care. I doubt a writer brimming with confidence would make that statement.

Modifié par Seagloom, 29 juin 2012 - 08:09 .

[Addai]

Are you surprised, since his fans are so nitpicky and demanding? I hope he tells them all to go to hell and writes what he wants.

[Seagloom]

Ideally that is what he should do. I'm a little surprised he cares. Humble popular novelists? Not that common.

Modifié par Seagloom, 29 juin 2012 - 08:23 .

[TJPags]

Addai67 wrote...

So what that he's not slaving over WoW 24/7? I get so sick of the criticism. NO PERSON can work on the same thing every day, all day- and that goes moreso for those in a creative role. You have your romance novelists and John Grishams who crank out half a dozen novels a year. GRRM has said he simply doesn't work that way- and thank the old gods he doesn't, because those books are about as rewarding as the effort that was put into them.

And of course he feels pressure to end it well- who wouldn't feel pressure, with the scrutiny the books get? It doesn't mean he doesn't think he can pull it off. It just means he's human, not a machine.

Oh, I don't know.  I work on the same thing day after day.  I get two days off a week.  It's called a job.

His job is to be an author.  An author writes books.  You mention John Grisham, who turns out a book a year.  I'll raise you several dozen other succesful authors who do the same, a book every year or two.  Hell, Stephen King wrote so many books he began to publish under a pseudonym.

Sure, a lot of author's don't do a lot of conventions - they maybe do some signing tours, and that's it.  And I'm fine with GRRM doing conventions.  I'm fine with him watching football, going on vacation.  I'm also fine with him working on the occassional side-project.

But come on, Addai, you certainly seem as knowledgable about him and his process as I am, maybe even more so.  Look at the number of "side-projects" he has going on!!!  Anthologies that he edits, Dunk & Egg books he puts out regularly, the HBO series, the games that he involves himself in, etc, etc.  Which are the side-projects, and which is the real work?  Can we even tell at this point?

Do I want or expect him to slave away 24/7/365?  No, of course not.  Do I expect him to devote approximately 40 hours a week to writing WoW?  Yes.  Do I expect him to do this for 40 or so weeks a year?  Yes.  This is his job, after all.  I work well over 40 hours a week, and well over 40 weeks a year at my job.  I'm sure you do as well, and so do a lot of other people.

As for his publishers - I'm very sure he signed a contract with them, where they agreed to pay him X dollars, and Y percentage of sales, for the right to publish his books.  I'd be shocked - although I admit to not being sure - if there was nothing in the contract about when the books might be delivered to the publisher.  Assuming (and a safe assumption, I'd think) there is such a mention in the contract, there is simply NO WAY his last two books have met that deadline.  In the list I quoted from his own blog, there are other projects that are late as well.  Does he get some leeway, given his success?  Sure.  Should it be unlimited, a let-the-genius-work-and-whenever-he-finishes-is-fine-with-us kind of thing?  Hell no, it should not be.  I mean, hell, HBO will start to run out of material in about 5 years, and given his pace over the last few books, WoW may not be done by then.

[Megaton_Hope]

Uhm, as far as his JOB as an AUTHOR, he really doesn't owe his fans jack. He could retire from writing tomorrow and I wouldn't mind, he's devoted enough time and energy to this project to convince me that at one time he cared a lot about it. I think that it's preferable to finish a story off with an actual ending, but it wouldn't be the first time a story I liked was left hanging.

He may owe his publishers some things, but that's a contractual matter. If he's signed a paper saying that he will write X book, he will write X book, come hell, high water, or lawyers. But that's for the publisher and the lawyers.

As far as the conclusion, I've still got my fingers crossed for Jon Snow to become King in the North and wage open war on the Others with an army of wildlings, Ironfolk and former Lannister bannermen. Tyrion can be Hand, the Hound can be on his Kingsguard, and there are only about eight people who really need to be gutted like kippers.

[TJPags]

Megaton_Hope wrote...

Uhm, as far as his JOB as an AUTHOR, he really doesn't owe his fans jack. He could retire from writing tomorrow and I wouldn't mind, he's devoted enough time and energy to this project to convince me that at one time he cared a lot about it. I think that it's preferable to finish a story off with an actual ending, but it wouldn't be the first time a story I liked was left hanging.

He may owe his publishers some things, but that's a contractual matter. If he's signed a paper saying that he will write X book, he will write X book, come hell, high water, or lawyers. But that's for the publisher and the lawyers.

As far as the conclusion, I've still got my fingers crossed for Jon Snow to become King in the North and wage open war on the Others with an army of wildlings, Ironfolk and former Lannister bannermen. Tyrion can be Hand, the Hound can be on his Kingsguard, and there are only about eight people who really need to be gutted like kippers.

If he retires, it will suck, but fine.  As you say, his option, just as it was his option to become an author.

I don't think he OWES me anything.  All I'm doing is expressing frustration with a man who has a job, but simply doesn't do it.  Or doesn't SEEM to do it.  I think it's fair to do that, and it's not a claim that he owes me or anyone else anything.  It's a simple statement that, as talented as this man may be - and he is, based on aSoIaF - he lacks focus, and that lack of focus is extremely frustrating.

Hell, Stephen King took, what, 25 years to complete the Dark Tower?  There was a stretch of some 15 years  or so between book 4 and 5.  But he never claimed to be actually working on it.  In fact, he stated that he had put it aside, was not working on it, and may never get back to it.  Frustrating?  Yes.  But far different from GRRM, who says he is working on it, yet seems  - and this is based on his own blog posts telling us what he is doing - to spend far more time doing other things.

[Addai]

TJPags wrote...
Oh, I don't know.  I work on the same thing day after day.  I get two days off a week.  It's called a job.

His job is to be an author.  An author writes books.  You mention John Grisham, who turns out a book a year.  I'll raise you several dozen other succesful authors who do the same, a book every year or two.  Hell, Stephen King wrote so many books he began to publish under a pseudonym.

And part of being an author for him is working on other projects besides the one.  Or do you sit at your job and niggle the same widget over and over and over and over?  If so, I feel sorry for you, truly.

There are so-called "fans" who complain if he posts about football.  He's watching football and not working!!  He's eating food and sleeping!!!  Traitor to his fans and his characters!

Obviously I'm hyperbolizing but the fact is that he owes you JACK ALL.  If his publisher gives him deadlines, that is between him and them.  If he wants to do side projects, that may be what he needs to come back to the material fresh and with new ideas.  It's his call, not yours or mine.  If you don't like it, there are tons of other people cranking out books.

[Megaton_Hope]

Sam Tarly sure is more of an action hero than you'd think.

Though, I wonder why it occurred to him to try to stab this wight in the torso a second time after discovering it was wearing mail.

[Megaton_Hope]

Okay, Mance's "Horn of Winter" clearly a fake. Come on, Martin, anybody could see that it's the one Jon found full of dirt at the Fist of the First Men and gave to Sam as a souvenir. Not our first rodeo, guy.