This is true to some extent, and I know you kinda touch on this more with the "need to live" statement, but while the fans create the funds that keep you writing, as an artist wouldn't you be writing regardless? If you truly love the craft of writing, would you still not write if no-one was paying you to? The artist is the creator and if the creation is not happening in his head, how can he produce?
Also, and more to your ire, do you suddenly owe the fans a timetable because they bought your wares? I don't think so. I mean unlike, say, Kevin Smith (not to say they are equals
) who is hired to produce a "work of art" within a certain time period, novelists are not required (except by maybe their publisher) to create anything. Especially if the "voice" is not there.
I am just being the Devil's advocate, as I am not in anyway invested in these books like most of his fans are. so take my questions as more curiosity than defense of actions.
Oh no; I just love a good talk. I have no intention of yelling, and have no problem sounding out more of my thoughts here. Some is definitely ire, so I think is founded on something proper; but we'll see!
Yes, I'd like to think any true artist would do what they want to do without any compensation at all...but to live with your art, to share your art, and to be, well, rewarded for your art in appreciation and money to keep doing that art? Sounds like the best of both all worlds. Not that he is only doing it for the money (which I don’t believe, and rather trust in), but it’s a helluva bonus. Even if the books sold like crap, getting them published and have some people read and enjoy, I’d think that would be the best in the world.
Owe a timetable? No, not a pure timetable. But the business of it usually means an editor/publisher saying “cool here’s the advance. See the book in 3 years you say? Cool, glad to hear.”
“Hey George, it’s been 4 years, buddy, what’s up? Another year? At least….? Well, you’ve done well by us, so okay! See you then!”
“GEORGE. 5 years now. What’s your plan? Is there a plan?”…
Okay, I digress.
For me, personally, it’s about how I think you carry yourself as a professional then. Think on Joe Maduireia. Battlechasers #4 ever come out? Every time I now see his name on a book, I think “gonna be late, gonna be delayed, gonna be taken over by another artist. I pass on him.
This is for me, (obviously). There is no rule, nor should there be, but it does all go to inform my opinion of your work. It’s honestly hard to rectify as well. GRRM has said that 10 years after the last book, no one is going to care at all when they were published. No one.
Because the dead who don’t get to read it won’t have a voice of complaint.
HA!
.... What you don't have to do is write to the fans expectations. What you do have to do is not tell them to go fuck themselves, I'll write when I'm gawddamned good and ready and you'll fucking like it when I do, you ungrateful shit sack full of maggots.
Okay, now if he has said anything close to this, then he has gone over-board, of course, but if by him not producing something you want is making you feel this way, well, that is kinda on you, buddy.
Again, though you feel as a writer he owes you something, as a creator or artist he owes you nothing. He put his art out, you bought it. He can choose to put more out when he wants.
I tried to find the NotaBlog of his about it. He wasn’t as crass as I was (by any means) but he told all his readers to stop asking him about the book, mentioning the book, etc. If there’s anything to say, he’ll say it. Until then, knock it off. I KNOW it’s a written post, so it’s hard to read inflection, but I believed it was a post in anger as well.
I'm sorry; if he started a story for himself only, he should have kept it to himself. Otherwise, shit and get off the pot.
, okay, that is just fan ire and nothing more. That is kinda crazy, Jimmy. He should have kept it to himself? What artist does that? Come on man. That's just fan anger
Well sure, but there’s some kernel of truth to it. I’ve had plenty of people in my life start things to have it fail around them due to their sloth. Or whatever. And I’m met by disappointment in that. I’ll put some of that onus on him(GRRM) as well. I realize not everyone writes the same, or is as busy with only one project, but still. Disappointment sets in. I’m a farmer’s son, so when I see someone not working like they really could be, I have thoughts as to how hard they really are working on it.
Money, though a very happy bonus, is not the goal of every artist.
Oh, fully agreed.
A Song of Fire and Ice (as it's properly called, once upon a time) is now something that belongs to a world greater than GRRM's study. You can finish it with great fanfare, you can finish it with an awful ending, or bad writing; but you now owe it to all to finish it. It's bigger than you, all will love you for doing it, but it's not "yours" anymore.
Nope. Totally disagree with you here. Not playing Devil's advocate on this, I just straight up disagree. Politely
If I create something as an artist, on my own, without a company paying me to do so, you have NO right to it or any expectations of it. None. I don't care how much you CHOOSE to support me. I owe you nothing but a big thank you for spending your money on the product I have given you already. You support me for the work I have done, not for the work I will do.
I have no problem disagreeing with you here. On a level of saying that “Yes, we do not have a contract being buyer and purchaser that I NEED to do anything further for you” I can hold true to that.
But I believe there is more to it than that. Personal work ethic. Self respect. The desire to craft. More than anything, you owe it yourself to finish. Do work. I’m having a hard time at this exact moment to put what I feel into a written conversation (talking this through is way more fun and spot on than the cut and pasting, but we do what we can do.
)
I “own” the story in my heart. In how I want Lannisters to get comeuppance. In how I want Jon’s future to be. In how I dream of what will happen to Westeros with Daeneryes’ return. That part is mine. He can’t take that away…but he could ruin it, too true. As an artist, I’d hate to have that happen.
Gregariously saying, if he wouldn’t finish it, declare it to hard, or just walk away, I’d call him a failure and the story a terrible missed chance. But a failure still.
Much like ‘Lost’, due to the ending, I warn people away from EVER watching the show. Sure, it had some good moments, but all in all, I find it to be a terrible complete picture, and that has ruined the entire affect. Before you ask “well, what if GRRM finishes it and the story ending is crap?”
Well, then it’s crap, but at least he finished! At that point, I take the story and make of it what I think and feel about it. But if he wouldn't finish the story at all....I may warn people off of it. It's something I think about, to be honest.
Perry, this wasn't an attack against you. I just wanted to soapbox a bit for frustrations from the GRRM camp. And the families of Shuster and Siegel going after DC comics.
Understand, Never took one word towards me ... and I hope I didn't seem like I was going after you too much.
Not at all! Having art discussions is one of my favorites! *blows the dust off his BFA in Drawing & Illustration*
And MAN; is this easier to do if I just cut this to a Word file and edit it there!