Hello friend,
I hope this post finds you, through the new magic of the internet and elder magic of word of mouth, because I’ve been worried over the, hmmm, let’s say tone of recent messaging around your work-in-progress, and I wanted to give you some words of encouragement.
You will not recall, but we’ve actually met before; briefly, at Greenwoods books in Edmonton Alberta, in 2005, on the Feast for Crows book tour. This was before the show, and the phenomenon, and the everything, but I do think it was starting to get away from you even then.
You will not recall that I had the first Q in the Q&A of the evening: “Theon Greyjoy; dead or alive?” I asked. And you answered: “I’m not going to tell you that,” to a room full of laughter, including my own.
Later at the signing, when my turn came, I told you — as I’m sure many have before me and since — that I had aspirations to be a writer and solicited from you any advice you might have to share. And so you shared — as I’m sure you have with many others — Robert Heinlein’s four rules of writing.
I’ll paraphrase them as you told me that night:
- You must write
- You must finish what you write
- You must market what you write
- Never rewrite except by editorial decree
If you think I’m bringing this up to use against you, I assure you that I’m not. Though I have — throughout the years and decades— thought a lot about you, in particular, giving that advice to young writers.
It’s always hardest to take our own advice, isn’t it?
It is my sincerest hope that surrounding you are a group of friends and family who love and support you, and have told you everything I’m about to; that what truly matters in this life isn’t your work, but your happiness. ‘Art is a support system for life’ Stephen King once said, ‘not the other way around’.
If your magnum opus has truly escaped you, then I would urge you to let it go. I say this as a long-time fan who fell in love with your world, and your characters, your words and your story. As much as I would love to hold in my hands the next book, or the one after that, if the price is your misery, this late in life, I could live without it. Honestly. And so to would anyone who lifts their awareness past the story we all love, and remembers that you are feeling person. What we have already is a gift of the imagination and I am truly grateful. If you could be happy, truly happy, with the work left undone, then I would beg you to leave it. It’s not worth it. Turn off the internet, ignore the haters, and live out your years with the people who know and love you best. Watch some football.
Having said all that, it’s possible that such happiness as I would have you enjoy would prove elusive even then. That’s my greatest concern for you, that there is no true peace outside of the sacred words ‘the end’ penned in triumph at the end of your labours.
And should that prove the case, then I would urge you to recall Mr Heinlein’s advice and get back to it. Forget about us, the fans and the anti-fans alike. Forget about contractual obligations and legacy. Do it for yourself and your own peace of mind. You are a genius, truly, and no one can do it but you. The idea for this Great Tale came to you alone, found in the snow like direwolf pups, and only you can see it to completion. I wish you more than luck, whichever path you choose. I wish you happiness.
With deepest gratitude and love,
Jeremy.
by Spider-man2098
3 Comments
Dear slim, I wrote you, but you still ain’t calling.
Write you grey old sheep or a Lannistar will keep your books and the small one is going to drink all your wine.
Lovely letter. I started writing my own to GRRM, but this captures the sentiment just as well