Fans of the hit talk show Conan O’Brien were treated to an exciting interview recently when famed author George R.R. Martin made an appearance. The author, known for his epic fantasy series “Game of Thrones”, joined Conan to discuss his writing process and the challenges he faces in keeping up with the demands of his dedicated fanbase.
During the interview, Martin revealed that one of the ways he manages the vast array of characters and plot twists in his books is by referring to a handy tattoo on his lower back. Conan, always quick with a joke, chimed in with a quip about the questionable choice of tattoo location.
But even with his tattooed cheat sheet, Martin admitted that he sometimes struggles to keep all the details straight. To help him with this task, he relies on the expertise of a dedicated fan named Ilio Garcia, who lives in Sweden. Garcia, along with his partner, runs a website dedicated to Martin’s world of Westeros and has an encyclopedic knowledge of the books. Whenever Martin gets stuck on a detail, he reaches out to Garcia for assistance.
It seems that even with the help of his knowledgeable fan, Martin isn’t immune to making mistakes. The author shared that he has received numerous letters from eagle-eyed readers pointing out inconsistencies in the books, particularly when it comes to eye colors. Martin joked that he’s “terrible with eye color” and even accidentally had a horse change sex between books.
Conan also touched on the highly anticipated sixth book in Martin’s series, “The Winds of Winter.” When asked if he knows how the story will ultimately end, Martin confirmed that he does indeed have a plan. However, he did note that there is no guarantee that the TV show adaptation, “Game of Thrones,” will follow the same path. The show’s creators, David Benioff and Dan Weiss, have been known to make changes to the story, including the infamous and brutal “Red Wedding” scene.
Martin admitted that his biggest fear is that the TV show will catch up to his writing progress. With the show producing one season per year while he takes several years to complete a book, the pressure is on. But Martin assured viewers that he is writing as fast as he can to stay ahead of the TV adaptation.
As the interview concluded, Conan marveled at the fact that Martin’s rich imagination and complex world-building came from someone who grew up in Bayonne, New Jersey. Martin, with his trademark wit, shared that his upbringing in a blue-collar family in a small New Jersey town fueled his imagination. With limited resources and a vivid imagination, he found solace in books, comics, and television, dreaming of the exotic mysteries and wonders of far-off places like Staten Island.
In the end, the interview with George R.R. Martin was a delightful glimpse into the mind of a literary genius. Fans can only wait in anticipation for the next installment in the epic “Game of Thrones” series, hoping that Martin’s writing speed can keep up with the pace of the hit TV show.
