Current Events > George R R Martin talks about toxic fanbases. Pisses off his fanbase.

(+) Yeah! (+)

https://georgerrmartin.com/notablog/2024/01/29/dark-days/

In years past, I would often do a Not A Blog post on or about New Years, looking back over the year that was ending and ahead to the year to come. This year, though, as I reflected on the year we had just lived through, I found I had no appetite for living through any of that again. 2023 was a nightmare of a year, for the world and the nation and for me and mine, both professionally and personally. I am very glad that it is over.

Unfortunately, so far 2024 looks to be even worse.

....

Well, I take solace where I can. In chocolate thrones, if nowhere else. In books. In films and television shows though even there, toxicity is growing. It used to be fun talking about our favorite books and films, and having spirited debates with fans who saw things different but somehow in this age of social media, it is no longer enough to say I did not like book X or film Y, and heres why. Now social media is ruled by anti-fans who would rather talk about the stuff they hate than the stuff they love, and delight in dancing on the graves of anyone whose film has flopped.

And like clockwork said toxic fanbase is furious at him for it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUdJkxEgTGE

cringe drinker

yikes

He doesn't owe anyone anything. He should just live his best life and if that includes continuing to write, then great. If not, that's just fine too.

https://youtu.be/QpNFqg99dwo?si=95LALOW7mNJ5QfgF

Hes right.

*sigh* Go outside bud. Social media isn't real life. It never was, but even less so now. Toxicity exists outside the browser window as well ,sure, but not to the degree of social media.

ItsNotA2Mer posted...

He doesn't owe anyone anything.

He is contractually obligated to finish the books, he took an advance. If nothing else, he owes them.

This is a clever way of deflecting off his lack of productivity

Ironic as Fri her is one of those proud anti fans. Always chasing the next thing to spew hate at.

008Zulu posted...

He is contractually obligated to finish the books,

Proof?

Toonstrack posted...

Hes right.

So true. I remember when the internet was newer and everyone just wanted to talk about stuff they liked. I'm not even immune to it as comedy videos ripping into stuff are things I watch sometimes.

ItsNotA2Mer posted...

Proof?

I think they're talking about the advance he got from his publisher for future books. But I don't think we know the actual details of that contract.

ssjevot posted...

But I don't think we know the actual details of that contract.

008Zulu claims to know the details. That's why I asked the question.

008Zulu posted...

He is contractually obligated to finish the books, he took an advance. If nothing else, he owes them.

If true, he can return the advance. That's between him and his publisher.

As long as TV show money keeps rolling in he wont write the next book.

13 years, no book. I don't give a shit about anything he says.

Pretty based tbh.

ItsNotA2Mer posted...

Proof?

All publishers require their writers to sign contracts, helps with clearly defining royalties, and copyright protections, among other things. If he took an advance (re; money) from a publisher, then they would have had him sign a contract promising to release the book through them. Talk to a literary agent if you don't believe me.

pfh1001 posted...

13 years, no book. I don't give a shit about anything he says.

Yeah, he's mad at how his fans are treating him and likewise his fans are mad at how he's treated them.

It's the Circle of Shit.

I think a different approach should be taken, and instead of begging and pleading, he be challenged as no longer capable of finishing the story, try to reverse psychology him into wanting to prove the fans wrong, that he hasn't lost his touch.

pfh1001 posted...

13 years, no book. I don't give a shit about anything he says.

Hahaha, as someone that doesn't care about his writing, it's really funny hearing anyone that's waiting for him to get that shit done always say this.

I think constantly promising he would have the book out by X date and making increasingly outlandish claims like saying his fans could lock him in a cabin until it's finished if it isn't out by X, did him no favors. It's like, yeah it sucks you have a toxic fan base, but why do you keep making these promises you don't intend to keep? Feels like trolling.

He's fat and rich, that's why his fans hate him

Rob_Cesternino posted...

He's fat and rich, that's why his fans hate him

Doesn't hurt Trump

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]

I read the books for the first time during the pandemic, and subsequently watched the show after.

At the time I had no idea how bad the situation was, I just thought "oh he'll probably finish the book by the time I'm done reading the first 5"

I'd luckily been able to avoid most of GoT type hype and spoilers, so everything was fresh.

But yeah after the pandemic I realized "oh... if he's seriously not even writing when we were literally locked in our houses, he surely has no intention to finish them."

So yeah after a year I just about lost interest. Crazy to think about people who'd been invested for over 10 years, and still get angry. With all the endless media entertainment out there, it's not really as significant as it would be if this happened in as recently as the 90s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KnU7qKPHCo

Yeah he's not gonna ever finish it dude got bored and is set for life.

I think he's butthurt that the fans didn't like the ending of the show, which is, or was, the actual ending of the books and so now wants to change it but can't figure out how.

At this point I don't care. He doesn't owe me anything, but I don't owe him shit either. If another book comes out I won't be buying it.

For the sake of your algorithm do not click on any bullshit video from The Critical Drinker. You'll regret it later.

ScazarMeltex posted...

I think he's butthurt that the fans didn't like the ending of the show, which is, or was, the actual ending of the books and so now wants to change it but can't figure out how.

This is one reason, the other reason is he's likely to not make as much money on a "finished" series as he is on endless other shows.

I do think if he said he'd finish the series, and was given an advance to do so, he should either finish the series or tell people he will never finish them.

I have basically settled on Winds might be released, Spring never will.

Now that the TV series has spoiled all the major plot points, finishing the books doesn't matter much to me.

https://youtu.be/lle4t4o8EDk?si=_cIwlWZZIQSHCEqb

As is tradition.

PeteyParker posted...

For the sake of your algorithm do not click on any bullshit video from The Critical Drinker. You'll regret it later.

I kinda liked his video on the Timeless Children

Although I guess that's a low hanging fruit

ItsNotA2Mer posted...

He doesn't owe anyone anything.

True, but we can still call him a piece of shit for getting rich from a series meant to be completed yet never was.

'Piece of shit' has lost all its meaning, seeing as it gets thrown around for even the most minor of things.

I've never read his books, nor watched Game of Thrones, but the guy is in his 70s and written dozens of novels. Sometimes, despite best intentions and wishful thinking, the well runs dry.

If you like his stuff, he's given a lot over the years, and he got rich for giving people a good time. To turn around now and call him names like a petulant child who feels they got short changed at Christmas? Unjustified in my book.

voldothegr8 posted...

True, but we can still call him a piece of shit for getting rich from a series meant to be completed yet never was.

"George R.R. Martin is not your bitch" doesn't seem like it's that hard to understand yet people are still out here not understanding.

PeteyParker posted...

"George R.R. Martin is not your bitch" doesn't seem like it's that hard to understand yet people are still out here not understanding.

So let me ask you, how do you feel about early access video games which get abandoned after the creators collect?

voldothegr8 posted...

So let me ask you, how do you feel about early access video games which get abandoned after the creators collect?

I mean it's not comparable. He did release fully finished products, just not sequels.

It's more akin to Valve not releasing Half-Life 3 than an abandoned early access

He's right. I'm gonna actively try and ignore stuff I don't like, and focus on the positives.

voldothegr8 posted...

So let me ask you, how do you feel about early access video games which get abandoned after the creators collect?

You think Martin is involved in some kind of scam?

Hah, I'll just reel 'em in with 15 years' of novels, and then run away with the cash! Easy money!

Fanbases are naturally toxic. It's just that in 2024, people can lose their jobs, friendship, and livelihood if you anger a fanbase enough.

ai123 posted...

Sometimes, despite best intentions and wishful thinking, the well runs dry.

He could have a ghost writer help him out.

Imagine still caring about whether this guy finishes a song of ice and fire

boomgetchopped3 posted...

Imagine still caring about whether this guy finishes a song of ice and fire

I've written off that he will ever finish.

I've also cut off supporting any of his other content. There is enough media in the world that I don't feel the need to even give it a view count.

mystic_belmont posted...

He could have a ghost writer help him out.

Oh yeah, no one would complain about Martin delegating the series to other anonymous authors. That would detoxify the fan base in an instant.

He could do it sure, but if he doesn't want to for whatever reason, he shouldn't.

mystic_belmont posted...

He could have a ghost writer help him out.

I mean that was pretty much the TV show and everyone hated it lol

Just let GOT die

While it's true George doesn't owe the fans anything, what chaps my ass is how he's discussed it over the years like "...it's going good, it will be out on X date, I've written five hundred pages and gave it to my editor...."

He did that for at least a decade, stringing his fans along.

Either do it, or don't, George. But if you ain't doing it, then shut the fuck up.

Guns_of_Verdun posted...

I mean that was pretty much the TV show and everyone hated it lol

Most likely he'd have a ghost writer write a chapter, he'd review it and suggest changes, and there would be some back and forth.

With the show, he basically let D&D do whatever they wanted.

D&D also rushed the ending because they wanted to move on and do Star Wars.

Eat_More_Beef posted...

While it's true George doesn't owe the fans anything, what chaps my ass is how he's discussed it over the years like "...it's going good, it will be out on X date, I've written five hundred pages and gave it to my editor...."

He did that for at least a decade, stringing his fans along.

Either do it, or don't, George. But if you ain't doing it, then shut the fuck up.

The pizzas are coming.