If you’re a fan of George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series, your ears (or eyes, as it were) likely perk up every time his name surfaces in the news. But every time we catch wind of Martin, it’s because he’s doing something other than finishing A Song of Ice and Fire. Sure, many of these are good things, but they aren’t working on the next Song of Ice and Fire installment, and thus they are cause for some nail-biting. Will Martin finish his beloved series inside of two decades? Will the HBO show catch up? Will Martin heed the many calls of fans to write like the wind? After the jump, ten things George R.R. Martin is doing instead of writing the next book in everyone’s current favorite fantasy series — make your own judgements as you will.
Writing a Game of Thrones coffee table book
The latest George R.R. Martin news is that the author is putting together “a compendium of the history and legends of the world of Westeros” entitled The World Of Ice and Fire (nickname: The GRRM-arillion). It will include “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.” as well as the ““story of the fall of the Tarbecks and the Reynes, the surprising person from whom the Lannisters are descended, more history of the Vale and the arrival of the Andals, and a good deal more.” Neat. But.
Working on a collection of Tyrion’s quips entitled The Wit and Wisdom of Tyrion Lannister
Earlier this month, it was announced that Martin would be putting together a collection of “clever and naughty quips” from everyone’s favorite dwarf, just in time for this Christmas. Happily, the book is supposed to be bereft of original content, meaning Martin won’t have to work that hard on it, but still.
Writing reviews of The Great Gatsby on his blog
Don’t get it wrong — it’s pretty awesome to find out that Martin is a big Fitzgerald fan and to read his thoughts on the recent film adaptation of Fitz’s best work. “I’m a word guy first and foremost, though,” he writes, “and it is the words that sing for me here. There are a lot of Fitzgerald’s own words in this GATSBY, in the dialogue, in the voiceovers, in the frame, and that’s more than okay with me. There’s never been a more lyrical writer than F. Scott and that lyricism is captured here.” But inside every fan is a littler, less realistic fan, slightly peeved that Martin is taking a whole two and a half hours away from the continuing saga of Westeros.
Editing Rogues
Earlier this month, Martin handed in the manuscript for his most recent cross-genre anthology, Rogues, which, admittedly, looks pretty cool and is probably, sigh, worth his time. “If there’s any bloody justice, some of these stories will contend for awards,” he writes. “(And it’s one more monkey off my back, hurrah, hurrah).” Hurrah indeed.
Editing Wild Cards
Martin also edits the ongoing sci-fi/superhero anthology series Wild Cards for Tor. Seriously, where does he find the time?
Having his biography recorded in comic-book form
Okay, so there’s no evidence that this has taken up any of Martin’s time — it’s just the latest Google alert to make hearts soar and fall.
Recommending books to read while you wait for him to write the next Game of Thrones book
Actually, this is probably pretty useful.
Buying a movie theater
Last month, Martin announced that he had purchased the Jean Cocteau, a small art house theater in Santa Fe, and hopes to reopen it. However, he assures us, “I will not be doing it myself, of course. So please, readers, fans, don’t get nuts. I am a novelist and a screenwriter, not a theatre manager, it won’t be me standing at the concession stand asking if you want butter on your popcorn. My job remains the same as before: editing anthologies, creating and producing television and writing the occasional script, and… first, foremost, always… completing A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE. This does not change that.” Whew.
Appearing at various conventions
The people need to reach out and touch him? And so they shall.
Watching football
Everybody needs a hobby. It just would be better for the world if George R.R. Martin’s hobby was writing A Song of Ice and Fire. You know, in addition to it being his job. By the way, Flavorwire is officially aware that all this is unreasonable, but that changes nothing.