George R.R. Martin is the creator of such a masterpiece as Game of Thrones. This series, based on his novels, which he began writing back in 1991, has grown into a television phenomenon that continues to keep viewers on their toes. With the release of two more books, as well as two more seasons ahead of us, one thing is clear that the interest of fans in the series is not even going to fade away.
But why don't we take a look behind the scenes. Let's find out what scene came into his head first and what inspired it all. Do you know which episode is radically different from the book? Or why does he so often decide to break our hearts with another murder of his beloved hero?
Including information about the episode, including why he placed Daenerys there, and what his original plan was. You may even find out his thoughts on the infamous Bloody Wedding and what he hopes to do next. Not to mention an excerpt from the interview, he has a lot to tell.
Here are 15 incredible facts you didn't know about George Raymond Richard Martin. Also take a look at the article 10 Magical Facts About Tolkien That Will Surprise You.
15. It could be a movie
George R.R. Martin was lucky when several studios came and asked for the rights to his series, but he turned them down. This was already after the success of The Lord of the Rings, which was hunted by many studios. But they could not cover all the content in 3 films, and Martin realized that his story was too big and complicated to get on the big screen like this. Having worked in television before, Martin also did not believe that because of bed scenes, cut off heads and other graphics, this would also work on an ordinary television station. Check out the 10 most explicit scenes from Game of Thrones.
He decided to meet with David Benioff and Daniel Brett Weiss (major producers), although he already went with the intention that there would be no show. It helped that they wanted to put the show on HBO, since Martin was a fan of Rome, Deadwood and the Sopranos, he knew the graphics had to be perfect.
After, it was clear to everyone what the series would be. Martin already had experience writing the script, which once again confirmed that this was the right decision. Knowing how many book adaptations were unsuccessful, Martin was patient enough and waited for the right moment. You may also be interested in the article 10 series with explicit scenes.
14. He was a big fan of comics.
Films based on comics are now very popular, but Martin was a big fan of Marvel since his youth. When one of the first comic book conventions took place in New York in 1964, Martin was literally the first to sign up for the event.
Martin even wrote to the editor of the Fantastic Four, and in 1963, for the first time in history, a fan letter was published in Issue 20. Martin, showing his letter to Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, states: “Issue No. 17 F.Ch. was more than just good. Even now, in complete awe, I try to do the impossible - to describe it. He was amazing, beyond all praise. I still can't figure out how you can fit so many events into several pages .... You were on the list of the worst magazines in the world, but you set a goal and achieve it!»
The magazine replied: “We could leave while on horseback. Thanks for the kind words».
Martin continued to write various fanzines and won an award in 1965 Alley award (Comic Book Fan Award) for the story titled "Powerman Vs. The blue barrier". Be sure to read the article 15 comic book heroes from different countries.
13. His thoughts on the Throne
George Martin had a definite opinion about TV shows. But still, it has been greatly improved by things that he couldn't even imagine when he started writing the series.
That doesn't mean he loves every element of the show. Talking about what the Iron Throne looks like, Martin emphasizes that it is completely different from what he described in the book. The photo above is a sketch made by Marc Simonetti, to which Martin reacted as follows: “And this is the Iron Throne. Someone will finally score it».
In talking about the differences, Martin cites size as the main difference. "The Iron Throne described in the book is simply gigantic. It's huge. There is a scene in the show where Littlefinger talks about the thousands of swords of Aegon's enemies, “There aren't actually a thousand swords there. It's just a fairy tale that we invented ourselves ”... But in the book, there really are thousands of them! Perhaps even two thousand!»
I think you understand why it would be difficult to translate it on screen. You may be interested in reading about the top 10 episodes of Game of Thrones.
12. When he decided to write
George R.R. Martin was a talented writer long before he took up a pen and started writing about dragons and Vestros. Martin was professor of English and journalism at the university from 1976-1978. In late 1977, writer Tom Remey died suddenly of a heart attack at the age of 42. Remey only completed one novel, Blind Voices, which was published after his death.
Martin said in an interview that Remey's departure was the reason for rethinking his own life and as a result he decided to devote himself entirely to writing. "We weren't very close. We met at conferences, I was just delighted with his work. But Tom's death affected me greatly. I was then in my early thirties and I thought that I had enough time to write all my stories, novels, because I was young. And then Tom's death, and I thought, boy, you don't have as much time as you think, you might die tomorrow».
He only achieved success as his fourth novel Rock of Armageddon, published in 1983, was a huge commercial flop that ruined his career as a novelist at the time.
Martin continued to work in Hollywood on The Twilight Zone, Max Headroom, and even wrote episode 14 of the 1987 series Beauty and the Beast, which is a modern classic fairy tale with a modern twist.
11. Seven is the ideal number of books
About George R.R. Martine became known as soon as he started writing. But he had no idea what he could achieve. In fact, he thought that everything would only end with a trilogy, which was supposed to be in the fantasy style of the time. Three of his books were supposed to have titles: Game of Thrones, Dance with Dragons, Winds of Winterbut in 1995, in Martin's words: “It became obvious, when I already had 1,500 pages of manuscript, and I was not even close to the end, that no trilogy would work. And so, my three books turned into four. A little later, there were six books, and now there are seven, and I hope that I can stop at seven books.».
He went on to say that in 25 years or 100 years from now, whenever someone sits down and opens this novel, he will definitely read it cover to cover, “one long novel, really very long, this is one story».
10. Why did he identify Daenerys there?
One of the highlights that helped fans understand the scale of Game of Thrones is one of the main characters, Daenerys, represented on different continents other than Winterfell. Check out our Top 10 Most Beautiful Actresses in Game of Thrones. When discussed about his decision to do so, Martin said that he got inspiration from Tolkien's Fellowship of the Ring and how he described Bilbo's party and how the character was presented.
«Game of Thrones begins in Winterfell. Everyone is everywhere connected, but ultimately they diverge and go in different directions.Just like Tolkien, as if by accident, in addition to Bilbo, he added a chapter with Faramir at the very beginning».
Nothing was as inspiring as the Fellowship of the Ring.
9. The role of Walter White
When it comes to finding meaningful TV series or shows, why not think back to one of the most famous TV series of all time? Martin was once asked what he thinks about the show (especially the Ozymandius episode) and Martin stated that it was amazing and that “There is no monster like Walter White even in Westeros ... and I need to do something about it».
To be honest, Walter White ended up being an incredibly terrible and selfish character, but that doesn't mean Ramsey Bolton or the other heroes in Game of Thrones are downright fluffy. And you may call me crazy, but I'm pretty sure Joffrey wasn't the nicest guy around. Let's not forget that Martin has not finished the series yet, who knows what devilish thoughts are in his head. Introduce Walter White into Westeros, and he would surely be an incredibly powerful candidate in an attempt to seize the throne.
8. Where did he get such a fantasy?
George R.R. Martin was born in Bayonne, New Jersey and has 3 sisters. His father was often unemployed, and as a child, Martin was nowhere more than five blocks from home. Perhaps it was some kind of trap, from which imagination helped escape. When interviewed, Martin said: "I dreamed of seeing the whole world. But I did not have such an opportunity, and I imagined everything in my head, so I always read a lot of books, and in my fantasies I could fly to Mars, get to the Center of the Earth or even the Hybori era.".
Martin imagined how he would write a story about a mythical kingdom that would be inhabited by turtles. All the turtles would have perished, destroying each other in sinister conspiracies. Martin also talked about his childhood habit of looking at the ships and their flags from all parts of the planet, which further sparked his imagination.
7. Why does he remove heroes
Undoubtedly, Martin is known for not being afraid to get rid of great heroes in spectacular ways. And that became much clearer when Game of Thrones hit the screens. When Martin is asked about the reasons, he replies that he does not understand the people who watch films or TV series in anticipation of how the plot will develop further, if this is already clear.
«Well, suppose, if Tom Cruise has the main role, you know that he will not die in the first scene? Because he has the main role! He will overcome everything. Or if you're watching Castle, you know it's not going anywhere. He will be next week and next week. But you don't have to know for sure. It would be much more interesting to be in limbo. That's why I try to do this". Be sure to read the article 10 Most Epic Deaths in Game of Thrones.
Undoubtedly, Martin does not let anyone relax. Interesting fact: Wes Craven directed Drew Barrymore at the start of The Scream, and that's why she was on posters even though her scene was no more than 15 minutes long.
6. He hates deadlines
George R.R. Martin hates deadlines, this is definitely not the most enjoyable moment, especially if you know that the whole world is waiting for the next book. They get in the way of enjoying the process. Martin recalls going to the agent the first time and saying "I finished my novel. Go and sell it"Luckily he did it. But then no one was waiting for my books. There was no time limit. I could write these books for my own pleasure, I miss those days."
Martin hopes that when he finishes these seven books, he may be able to work as before. God knows he doesn't need money!
5. It's important to be open
Martin told in interviews how when he first started in 1971, he had several stories published about politics and other public affairs that meant almost nothing to him. Although they were quite successful, what was important for Martin: “In the summer of ’71, I started writing stories that hurt me almost physically, in those stories I exposed myself, my insecurity as a writer. If you don't understand this, then you will never become a great writer.».
Westeros may be too far from reality, but it is still clear that Martin is not afraid to show all his feelings and emotions in this novel.
4. He hates fan literature
You just love to write your own stories about the heroes of Game of Thrones, but don't expect Martin to praise you for it. When asked if he would allow fans to write a sequel to his stories (in the same fictional universe), Martin stated “I’m not living for anything, but naturally I will not always live, as Valar Morgulis says - all people are mortal. And I do not think that if my wife outlives me, she will allow those who actually did not know the writer and do not care about his wishes. It's just a cash cow for them. Also, in my opinion, disgusts Scarlett, a sequel to Gone with the Wind».
While some attack Martin for these words, considering it selfish "do not share Westeros”, Others support him and understand why he does not want anyone to encroach on the main work of his life.
3. First scene
When you have a huge series like Game of Thrones, people want to know what started in 1991. In an interview, Martin said: “The first scene that came to me is the first chapter of the first book, the chapter where the direwolf puppies were found. The scene came out of nowhere. I was working on another novel, and suddenly I saw this scene. And it had nothing to do with the novel I was working on, but it was so bright that I had to sit down and write».
He went on to say that by the time he finished writing the first chapter, he immediately began the second, in which Catelyn would tell Ned about the death of the king.
2. His thoughts on the Bloody wedding
You have already learned above that Martin loves to get rid of his heroes, of course, these decisions are not easy for him. Martin admitted in an interview that only once in a fully completed book A storm of swords he added one of the nastiest scenes on the show.
«The bloody wedding was extremely difficult to write…. I loved those characters so much. But I knew I had to do it. Bloody Wedding came out more disgusting than the book (thanks to creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss), they introduced Talisa pregnant with Robb, which was not in the bookse ".
The result is undeniably the most significant television episode of all time.
1. This is more than just one book
As you read above, Martin knew he had to start writing when the direwolf scene popped into his head. But that was just one scene, how did he know it was going to turn into something more? Martin explained it this way: “I didn't really know what would come of it. Story? The chapter of the novel? Will it be about Bran? But when I wrote the second chapter, I had an idea - right there, right away ... A minute later I already had two different ideas, and I realized that it would be something more than a book. Now I had two ideas. Then there were more of them where there were two, already three, or five or seven or something else. By then I already had three or four chapters and I knew this was just the beginning.».
Interestingly, Martin is not most admired by his characters, or the events of Westeros, but the scale of the series.
We recommend watching:
Everything You Didn't Know About Game of Thrones. The author gives a summary of the series, expresses his opinion, talks about the filming process. Interesting facts about the cult series.
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