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George R. R. Martin

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13 Aug, 2015

Say GOT ending will be ‘bittersweet’

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In an interview with The Observer, Martin talks about the ending of the book series:

I haven’t written the ending yet, so I don’t know, but no. That’s certainly not my intent. I’ve said before that the tone of the ending that I’m going for is bittersweet. I mean, it’s no secret that Tolkien has been a huge influence on me, and I love the way he ended Lord of the Rings. It ends with victory, but it’s a bittersweet victory. Frodo is never whole again, and he goes away to the Undying Lands, and the other people live their lives. And the scouring of the Shire—brilliant piece of work, which I didn’t understand when I was 13 years old: “Why is this here? The story’s over?” But every time I read it I understand the brilliance of that segment more and more. All I can say is that’s the kind of tone I will be aiming for. Whether I achieve it or not, that will be up to people like you and my readers to judge.

4 May, 2015

Confirms Grateful Dead influence

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Martin confirms he has been influenced by Grateful Dead, including naming Weirwood trees after Bob Weir.

My wife, Paris, is perhaps more of a fan of the Grateful Dead than I am…I have Grateful Dead lyrics rattling around in my head all the time. Ripple’ is one of my favorite songs of all time… [quoting the song] ‘There is a road, no simple highway.’

14 May, 2014

George R. R. Martin interview

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Martin guests on the Conan and chats with O’Brien about differences between the deaths in the Games of Thrones books and the TV show, as well as President Obama’s reference to the hit show during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. He also reveals his reluctance to include dragons in his stories.

I think magic has to be handled very carefully in fantasy. Phyllis was right. You need some magic in a fantasy, but too much magic is like too much salt in the stew. All you can taste is the salt and anything can happen.

George R. R. Martin Still Uses A DOS Word Processor | CONAN on TBS