Yeah if I'm his editor at this point I'm like "George, give me the first 800 pages, we'll pick a story to stop with, and I'm printing this fucker"
But also I'm crazy and think Dream of Spring would come way quicker because at this point it feels like it would peak early and then be mostly fallnig action to conclude the story, whereas it's clear this book is taking so long because it needs to get everyone into place for the climax at the start of the next book.
He needs an editor, maybe that’s the problem! I love him and his story and world, but even he has lost some of the story at this point with all the side character plots that have no bearing on the overall story.
GRRM has said that he won’t allow them to have someone finish it if he passes. Pretty sure he even said his estate is supposed to destroy all his notes
Why? It's his creation, and he's free to do what he wants with it. Why should he have to allow other people he doesn't know or trust continue his work after he passes? Like, sorry, I get wanting more of something, but example: Terry Pratchett. Loved the Discworld books, and I was sad when he passed. And his daughter, I think actually could have continued the franchise, but chose not to, and is only caretaking it. And I respect that decision. We aren't owed more of something just because we enjoy it.
I mean, an unfinished series is an unfinished social contract with your fans (and in his case, an unfinished real contract with his publisher). He’s had ample time to finish, so you know he just give a shit about his fans. There’s centuries of debate of whether a not a creator is the sole person who decides what to do with literature/film/music after it goes public. I wouldn’t be surprised if his publisher finishes it despite his wishes if he passes.
I don’t know why anyone would want anyone else to finish it though. Is a fake ending any better than no ending at all? Sanderson had Robert Jordan’s notes at least. As far as I remember, GRRM has said his notes are to be destroyed. Someone can correct me if I’m wrong there though. But i know for certain it will absolutely be against his wishes unless he has changed or changes his mind.
HBO will finish the last book for him. They’ll take the 1000 page manuscript and cut it down to 100 to rush it and publish
I understand he doesn’t owe us anything, but to specifically say he wants all his notes to be destroyed is a little over the top I think, people have spent decades in this fandom, it would be nice to still have new stuff to pick apart after he passes. It’s kind of a slap in the face to his fans.
I don’t really think it’s a slap in the face to his fans to want to protect his private notes. It’s not like there isn’t precedent for a company or estate to at some point take advantage of someone passing to make money. He obviously doesn’t trust people to honor his wishes and I don’t blame him
It does seem weird that he wouldn't trust Elio and Linda to at least publish a "history text" of the ending.
Considering they’re both racist pieces of shit, I’d kinda prefer if he didn’t give them any more power
No, it's his work, he can and should do what he wants. Centuries of debate doesn't matter. Make your own fan fiction or your own books at that point. As a fan you own your enjoyment of something, not the works itself.
10000% The Terry Pratchett situation is a great example. Rhianna Pratchett has been so wonderful, I follow her on Twitter and see how much she cares about the community.
I agree with you more than you might think, but no matter what GRRM wants post-death, I’m willing to bet Bantam has legal standing to finish it however they choose.