George R. R. Martin's Earliest Inspiration Of All

'Fire and Blood' author George R. R. Martin shares his writing inspirations, which range from Tolkien to his childhood pet turtles.
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The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is the premier late night talk show on CBS, airing at 11:35pm EST, streaming online via CBS All Access, and delivered to the International Space Station on a USB drive taped to a weather balloon. Every night, viewers can expect: Comedy, humor, funny moments, witty interviews, celebrities, famous people, movie stars, bits, humorous celebrities doing bits, funny celebs, big group photos of every star from Hollywood, even the reclusive ones, plus also jokes.

[@cuuy]

The whole interview Stephen didn't mention once the tv show Game of Thrones, they only talked about books. That must have made Martin happy.

[@RabidNemo]

I'm sure it did but Stephen Colbert is still kind of a prick

[@cubersanonymous5180]

@@RabidNemo what he do wrong?

[@deodorantman4721]

@@RabidNemo how

[@nicholas4727]

It's because Stephen is well known for being a nerd he likes books especially fantasy. He has an encyclopedic knowledge of Lord of the rings lore and also is a game of thrones fan.

[@MrDuck797]

RabidNemo wth?

[@anja1627]

No wonder ASOIAF is still not finished because GRRM’s writing was inspired by turtles.

[@Ali-lm7uw]

Turtles and tortoises are not the same thing.

[@caiomiguel7152]

Man, I love how engaged ppl are to make such jokes. "I am laughing out loud"

[@dontry1812]

lol

[@Dylankiwi1]

Reminds me of Stephen King when comes to turtles lol

[@c1audius]

Dane Mitch Cowabunga!

[@romailkhan7992]

We live in a world now where millions sit back excitedly to hear two nerds talk about books. I am proud of us.

[@emhu2594]

It’s still entertainment, be it Tolkien or Kim kardashian. Americans don’t study or talk about things that actually matter.

[@Navesblue]

Your comment actually made me laugh out loud. I can't remember the last time I've done that. Congratulations, sir.

[@k.d9499]

honestly nerd isn't even an insult anymore

[@youknowwho9203]

@@emhu2594 as if the rest of the world does lol

[@sombrecynic4966]

The Kardashians are still winning

[@runalongnowm8]

This is easily the nerdiest interview ever done on a late night talk show.

[@socrappyicoulddie]

Stephen's Dungeons and Dragons interview with Joe Manganiello out-nerds this one, I think.

[@a1aska466]

All the more reason to love it

[@Creixhitme]

This isn't even as nerdy as his Colberts interviews with Andy Serkis or Anderson Cooper

[@2wimpies556]

watch interview of Tolkein cast

[@BoojeeRedneck]

@Fififv Sjcidic sci fi, fantasy, reading, encyclopedic knowledge... 👓 nerdy is the best

[@EG-gz4mp]

House Martin. Sigil, a purple turtle. Words: don’t get attached. Lord

[@deepakkrishna9276]

CRIMINALLY underrated comment! Cleverer than the last 2 episodes! Brilliant!

[@nicksm7980]

As Martin said himself the words of his house would be: 'Deadlines? What deadlines?'.

[@zoroaster3053]

Ancient and Honorable order of turtles.

[@nomfundomdluli1544]

This is very smart and so right😂👍

[@8mmkyle865]

"A common saying but not his official motto. Come, you know this." "Deadline? What deadline?"

[@chix18]

"Where are the female orcs?" Is the first time Ive heard Stephen answer a Tolkien question with "I don't know". George you accomplished the unthinkable.

[@dylanb3147]

Rosana Pozo I think he knew the answer (or rather that there’s not a clear one) but he didn’t want to call GRRM out since Colbert probably assumed that GRRM knew this stuff. In a letter that Tolkien wrote to an auction winner, he confirmed their existence but said we don’t see them because they wouldn’t be part of the armies.

[@olorin1710]

@@dylanb3147 unfortunately the female orcs are corrupted elves and used as breeding stock.

[@atriox7221]

@cak01vej yeah my guess is that they are either kept in orc territory to continue breeding and keeping the place going, or they are among the orcs in the war but the primary difference is their sex organs so you can’t really tell them apart in battle. I can imagine the reason for the lack of fleshed out description on the less humanoid species is that it’s harder to imagine female dwarves and orcs and all those things then it is to imagine hobbits and elves as they’re basically just humans (dwarf lifestyle as being so tough and battle hardened and mine obsessed with big beards makes their female counterparts challenging to contemplate)

[@aesir1ases64]

@cak01vej Did Tolkien changed his idea? In the silmarillion its still implied Orcs first were created from sequestred and tortured elves by Melkor.

[@rocky1877]

All orcs were once elves... Morgoth turns them to become orcs..

[@UltimateKyuubiFox]

Just seeing how much happier he is after publishing this book makes me fully convinced this was the right thing for him to do. When he said “I should probably go somewhere right now and write” it’s like the spark lit back up in his eyes. Sometimes you need a palate cleanser to unblock yourself. He seems more excited than I’ve seen him in like three years.

[@diegocarvalho5955]

He seems more excited since dance with Dragons was published

[@OldRaver]

Totally agree. Can’t imagine how crazy I would go if every day people were nagging me like they do him. ‘Palate cleanser’, I like that simile.

[@Burnzy494959]

I was worried after hearing about Gardener that he might go downhill himself. Great to see such positive energy!

[@DanimalLawlz]

@@OldRaver analogy* not simile.

[@Nero-ox5tw]

@rxp56 correct

[@cynicalcenobia]

2:49 The minute he says 'fantasy,' you can just see Colbert desperately wanting to turn the conversation towards Tolkien.

[@abhishekharge6691]

Also apparently CBS hates it when Stephen talks Tolkien.

[@KillahMate]

eard stapa Like a little circuit in his brain labeled ‘how can I make this be about Lord of the Rings?’ :-)

[@rumblefish9]

since when is that a bad thing? I think Stephen's love for LOTR is adorable

[@iloveyourunclebob]

It's so funny because I don't think they realize how much people would watch a separate Stephen Colbert show where he just has different people on to talk about fantasy and sci-fi. I would watch the shit out of that.

[@kissedbyfirewyrms7312]

Yes! Anyone who knows anything about GRRM knows Tolkien was a huge influence for him (so Stephen must know), and you could tell Stephen was bursting to talk about Middle Earth, hahaha.

[@daneone5576]

I love when you bring serial killers on the show

[@telectronix1368]

Serial killer. Mass murderer. Potato potahto. Spoilers . And dragon killer, too.

[@icechoc]

@Dark Days - that was the joke.

[@laydieelle7069]

+ Dane One The death of fictional characters is not a crime. Sorry.

[@iloveyourunclebob]

@@laydieelle7069 r/whoosh

[@laydieelle7069]

@@iloveyourunclebob You're some kind of ... electrical appliance?

[@6Wul0Won]

I love that Stephen Colbert really knows his stuff when talking about Tolkien or ASOIF since he's such a fan himself.

[@shotgundiplomat2406]

Yeah as opposed to Jimmy Fallon and Kimmel whom seem to know absolutely nothing. Kimmel had a hard time pronouncing "Arya"

[@shotgundiplomat2406]

@Lord Voldemort I'll say again. He couldn't even say "Arya" correctly. Is that too much to ask?

[@shotgundiplomat2406]

@Lord Voldemort Omfg just stop. You're actually just being a contrarian. It wasn't a mispronunciation. He just had no idea who Arya was and it was obvious.

[@zbrown02]

Lord Voldemort you probably shouldn’t be interviewing an author if you’ve never read their books especially if the reason you are interviewing them is because of their books.

[@redmilo92]

Every time I'm upset with not having Winds I just have to go and listen to George laughing like a giddy child and I forget it all. Keep writing, good sir, but more importantly keep living. You have given much to the world beyond just this series of novels. You and your work are loved.

[@6-cats]

True !!!

[@mishasubin]

still waiting.....

[@gregorseidel8203]

I am all for George R.R. Martin escaping the "A Song of Ice and Fire" series for a side project for a while! Creative writing cannot be a chore, it needs to be driven by the inner desire to tell a story, and with all the long hours of work that inevitably go into it, writing also needs to be fun. While I am certain his epic book series is close to his heart, the joy of working creatively can easily be extinguished when everyone is constantly pushing you to meet a deadline, and you are not allowed to roam free and explore new ideas unrelated to one single project. My guess is that writing "Fire and Blood" allowed G.R.R. Martin to escape that pressure for a bit, and if it worked to rekindle his desire to write about the more recent developments surrounding the Iron Throne, that's fantastic, because I am just as eager to read "The Winds of Winter" as the next guy.

[@jaberalbasri7925]

Gregor Seidel not at 96 with a very successful and unfinished series . I think one would have an idea of where the series is going and how it will end , and he does .its not at all rushed

[@joachim2464]

Its probably easier as well to write the follow on books when you have more material on the history of the world you are writing about.

[@Markle2k]

Especially when the effort yields a backstory.

[@bbictorr]

George did another interview recently where he said that GOT’s popularity & fan theories shared online put even more pressure on him, and gave him new ideas for ASOIAF. One thing the whining fans tend to overlook is the fact that GRRM needs to juggle several different character plots & their own entourage; he has to write in their personalities, weave all of them together, shift it all towards the ending, and deliver two great books. The word “great” hangs over his head every day. We’ve had years of imagination to fill the void...theories are usually more exciting & grandiose than the intended final product.

[@iloveyourunclebob]

@@joachim2464 I really feel like these history books do not take a lot of time for him to do because they are all things that he already has written down or even established in the books just with a little bit more of a story than what the characters know about it. He decided to make this after they announced doing prequels. He wants to give the writers as much information as he can so that they don't completely screw up his world. I mean prequels have only officially been announced this past year right? Maybe two and he already has that book out. Plus I have to imagine that dialogue is the hardest part. And his stories are over filled with dialogue and they never feel forced or fake. I'll take as long as he needs to wait. I would rather have a good Winds of Winter than another season 7.

[@BucketOfMarbles]

The Ice and Fire books are so intricate and magnificent that it's hard to imagine how someone could assemble them in a lifetime. I don't blame George for taking his time, I will happily wait for that level of quality.

[@richardtym1859]

It's stunningly amazing how much detail the stories has. i have no idea how one man, GRRM, could create such level of quality work. he's definitely a legend.

[@mohitagarwal2025]

You'll say the same now? After 3 yrs?

[@BucketOfMarbles]

@@mohitagarwal2025 he should focus more lol I'm not watching the show

[@TheGuy3-D]

@@mohitagarwal2025 What are you trying to imply? The books are amazing. The history, interconnected web of stories and people, and the worldbuilding George does in his books is phenomenal. I've never seen the shows at all. All I know is that GoT did not get a good ending, and that this new series just started. I suggest reading the books instead of watching something that George isn't directing himself.

[@faizakotha9331]

Dude will die before he finishes it

[@reneelucero2923]

"So which authors inspired you" "Well..." Stephen's mind: JUST GET TO TOLKIEN ALREADY DAMN IT

[@wynstansmom829]

"A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies, said Jojen. The man who never reads lives only one"... Yes! and when George R.R. Martin said this, who knew he meant Turtles?

[@Telephon21]

I love this quote but it annoys me a bit that it turned out to be one of his most famous because it seems like he stole it from Umberto Eco's 1991 one: "At the age of 70, those who don’t read will have led only one life: their own! Those who read will have lived 5000 lives"

[@wynstansmom829]

@@Telephon21 "The Name of the Rose", and could that name be Amy Winehouse? There is a KZbin video with the same username and a reference to Ms. Winehouse. I had to google your name because there is a familiar sound or ring to the name that makes me think, "what a wonderful nom de plume for a ghost writer". I blush to admit that I have not read a full version of Umberto Eco's works or even a good biography of his life, however, I shall attempt to fill this 'empty space of my life', lol. So, did he really say " I could work in the shower if I had plastic paper"?

[@bluto212]

Most of Martin's work can be sources to better material. For example, when Arya feeds Walter Frey his sons baked in a pie- that can be found in Herodotus. @@Telephon21

[@muhammadbadhon8055]

it's good to have an interviewer/a host who actually read books or knows the stuffs he's talking about.

[@utubrGaming]

Turtle Castle will be published after "The Winds of Winter" and "A Dream of Spring"

[@dragoxl5]

A Dream of Spring is never coming lol

[@SPQSpartacus]

Most likely before...

[@iloveyourunclebob]

@@dragoxl5 rumor has it, He is done with Wind of Winter, but is waiting until the series is done. Originally he wanted the show to put a lot more stuff in because he gave them plenty of material to continue this series on for a very long time and he always assumed that he would have enough time to get Winds of Winter out. I think that as the series went on he knew that wasn't going to be the case and decided to wait so that the two weren't competing with each other and the finale of the series could just be its own thing. So, a dream of spring is probably what he's actually working on now.

[@FlavioCamus]

Turtle castle, an epic saga of 14 books...

[@sarahlisa5191]

Meaning never...

[@NewMessage]

"There is no porn in Middle Earth." And that's why the 'Blue Wizards' skipped town.

[@hamzafawad9331]

'Cause they got Blue Balls one too many times.

[@WindFireAllThatKindOfThing]

"Her Va-jeen. It hang like sleeve of Wizard" - Borat

[@designate_om]

@@hamzafawad9331 i think you mean blue palantirs

[@fifteenbyfive]

It was also the reason why they uhh...stuck together.

[@hamzafawad9331]

@@designate_om Lol good one.

[@thebigshep]

Y'all should bring more authors in the show! Not just one's whose work have been adapted to screen or already famous actors who take up writing (not that there's anything wrong with that).

[@KaritKtana]

I recall that at the beginning of the Late Show they brought on quite a few authors, and Stephen did extra comedy bits with them, as if they're tucking him in bed... Remember?? That stopped quite abruptly after the first year or so of the show, to my dismay. His conversations with authors were great, but I'm guessing not ratings-wise enough :-/

[@rhodawatkins4516]

Lazarus Cain I would love to see Mercedes Lackey with Stephen. She's written a ton of wonderful books, collaborated with other writers, but as far as I know nothing of hers has been made into a series or a movie. I love her Valdemar books especially.

[@iloveyourunclebob]

Craig Ferguson always did a lot of authors on the Late Late show. I miss him 😔

[@noormalaknoormalak5329]

I hope he has a LONG LONG life ahead of him so he can finish all the stories he wants to write

[@brucefreadrich1188]

I hope so too, but… dude needs a deadline - to keep things moving… and not just the valar marghulis kind…

[@0okamino]

_"So, how is that Turtle Castle series?"_ _"Pretty good, but rather slow."_

[@MiddleEarthGirl75]

The amount of information within GRRM's series and still within his mind to share is astounding, truly.

[@tyke2026]

This is the happiest I’ve seen him in an interview

[@nitinkapoor1369]

Cause there was no mention of game of thrones show

[@SayaItani]

'Fire and Blood' is so good! Just finished it last week, can't wait for part 2.

[@anja1627]

Is it a POV narrative? You know just like ASOIAF?

[@judewakefield7213]

@@anja1627 It is from the point of view of a historian. It's a history of Westeros from Aegon to Aegon III

[@o0Avalon0o]

_Oh baby I love a thick book. Don't talk to me if it's not over 500 pages._

[@arnoldrivas4590]

o0Avalon0o The Count of Monte Cristo: 1200 pages

[@arashhhssaaaa3633]

You're gonna miss on a lot of great books with that mindset

[@yayadrops4147]

With this idea you're skipping all the quality that thin books have, but i understand your love for them !

[@raycologne1060]

I can't help but think there could be another meaning to this comment

[@simeonsimov12]

Arnold Rivas Well , TWOD will be 1500 pages

[@shaggysaurus]

I love that Colbert is such a nerd he just casually tosses out the name Valinor.

[@carljw316smp]

the band should have played Rains of Castamere when he came out... MAN they BLEW it! :D :D :D

[@biteme9486]

Nah, The Dornishmans Wife

[@nathancrossen2224]

The Bear and the Maiden Fair

[@OneMeanArtist]

Stephens braindead puppet sidekick and band are too dumb to ever be remotely that clever.

[@achienemy]

HBO probably charges a lot of $$$ for it to be played

[@Xanthas998]

Yes! And then the band should have assassinated the entire crowd!

[@wurstgitarre]

4:54 "This is the first half?!" It's so funny how he says that and also the look on his face. :D

[@bridge4]

Just finished FAB. Was a ton of fun :)) ... team Barth of course

[@GodToaster]

Eyyyyyyyy nice seeing you here

[@jaxb95]

I'm kinda disappointed the band didn't play "the rains of Castamere" when he made his entrance.

[@divinodayacap3313]

Jacqueline F. if it was the roots they would do that

[@FaizanMunirKhanRajput]

Imagine GoT but everyone is a turtle.

[@haneenhawash1739]

Faizan Munir Khan Rajput Jon “slow”

[@OKANGUVEN99]

gendry and varys would be rabbits

[@hide904]

*House Estermont enters the chat*

[@lorenaarias1952]

He is one of the best authors I’ve ever read. My son gave me the four books of Fire and Ice and I couldn’t put them down. I’m so looking forward to reading this! Thank you Mr. Martin

[@erickruckenberg8716]

I'd pay good money to scroll through Georgies internet history

[@Player-kg1ds]

> Winds of Winter fan theories > Game Of Thrones DeviantArt > Lannister theories > Is Pantsing a bad method > Season 8 is shit

[@nicolaemadalinboboc6704]

@@Player-kg1ds also lots of porn

[@westfale1871]

Martin: “There is no porn in middle earth” Colbert: “You have to go to Valinor for that” Well, fortunately, you have to read the Silmarillion if you don‘t get the joke

[@cbalaxc]

Great catch there...I do love how you can tell in George’s laugh he enjoyed that

[@tj778]

I'm a filthy casual, Can you explain it to me

[@zzjlgb]

@@tj778 To put it simply, Valinor = Tolkien version paradise. It's also the destination of those who have "sailed to the west" at the end of LOTR.

[@introgauge]

Oh jesus, the silmarillion. I could not keep my self awake while reading even a chapter of that.

[@Always8Baka]

@@introgauge it gets better after the whole "creation" part. It simply gets better and better. The 3 "great storys" ("Hurins children", Beren and Luthien" and "The fall of Gondolin") are brilliant. But I must say there is a lot of "thougt you have seen the last of Feanors sons" moments -.-

[@sruthinambiar2701]

I just absolutely love how detailed his work is. It's beautiful 😂😍🖤

[@therevenancy]

His laugh at his own Orcettes joke. That was incredibly wholesome.

[@debodatta7398]

Never seen a guest manage to stump Colbert on Lord of the Rings, GRRM really is a legend.

[@Xanthas998]

He re-reads LoTR annualy, he's the only one who had a chance lol.

[@finn4593]

This interview is so nice and so wholesome. I like how they just talked about their favorite books and didn’t mention the show at all

[@JoseAngelC]

Steven speaks for the whole world 5:26 AREN'T YOU SUPPOSED TO BE FINISHING THE WINDS OF WINTER THIS ENTIRE TIME? lol gotta love both

[@cuttingwitjason7195]

You can't force art. Thanks grrm!

[@bfkc111]

Stop bitching. Finish the book, George!

[@Hirnlego999]

@@bluntedcorleone3628 Actually he owns us nothing. He is free to do whatever he wants, but of course want the know the true ending and the path to it..

[@bluntedcorleone3628]

@@Hirnlego999 Where does this narrative come from? Sure GRRM doesn't owe me anything. I'm not going to come round to his house with the goons and put a gun to his head! That also doesn't mean I have to sit with a plastered smile on my face if he doesn't complete the series. It would incredibly disappointing to his fans. He would let a lot of people down and it's perfectly ok to acknowledge that.

[@Hirnlego999]

@@bluntedcorleone3628 You make it sound like your life depends on him finishing the books... certainly you have something more important to care about?

[@bluntedcorleone3628]

@@Hirnlego999 You make it sound like it's your life's work to defend GRRM from any criticism. Certainly you have something more important to care about?

[@candicelee9336]

a round applause for this greatest writer who can come up this epic workpiece, bravo.

[@adventzx999]

God he has such a contagious laugh, it always brings a smile to me

[@MartijnPennings]

Did Stephen Colbert just get a Tolkien related question he COULDN'T ANSWER?

[@sunrisediagnostika]

Maybe because there is no answer? Tolkien never specified it?

[@SecretGerms]

Sunrisediagnostika agreed, but i would also add that orcs aren’t gender specific, they’re simply orcs.

[@karlmars4777]

In his mind Stephen was rolling his eyes at the stupid question. There’s sex at least with the humans and the hobbits.

[@dyodidyodi815]

I think the real question is ... did Thingol and Melian have traditional sexual intercourse? Did she assume a mortal guise like Olórin's in order to do it? Or could she have created Lúthien through their love in some purer and more absolute way, like how the dwarves were made by Aulë? Is that power given to the Maiar though, or only the Valar?? And where are the Ent-Wives???

[@JavieraScarratt]

Stephen Colbert can't even quote the Song of Eärendil right - he keeps misquoting it in interviews and it makes me unreasonably mad

[@arronbates576]

Another interview that other late night hosts would be incapable of...

[@yourdirge]

We’re lucky he lives in our time, that we have the opportunity to see and hear him speak, to ask him the questions future generations will want to know. May he live forever!

[@stevem2323]

Here Here!!!

[@NewMessage]

Was... was he the original 'I like turtles' kid?

[@ToJam14]

Feel old yet?

[@AshesAshes44]

Naw, that's his grandson. Poisoned apple doesn't fall far from the murder tree, does it?

[@pamelacass9642]

At least he didn't state, "I like beer!" 😆😆😆

[@Ali-jm5jm]

Celebrate this guy. He's a living legend!

[@MrStuartpackham]

When he said that there’s a Part 2 coming, I died a little inside.

[@redmilo92]

Why? The first volume is incredible, who would say no to more?

[@AlbanianSunN]

@@redmilo92 because he knows the second book will never be released or not before 2025 which is never

[@korenn9381]

@@AlbanianSunN But it's not a novel - it's a historical retelling. You won't be in agony over what happened to your favourite character, because they died from old age already. You're just missing the fictional history between Aegon III and the events that lead to Baratheon claiming the throne.

[@Kirsten_is_cursed10]

MrStuartpackham What is dead may never die...

[@Ladyjaxs]

Died and gone to heaven for me. Two big books on Targaryen history! Loving it.

[@mrbad9171]

I never met my grandfather, and I never felt like I needed a grandfather's but after I knew about George, I wish I had a grandfather like him.

[@krombopulost4699]

"Aren't you suppose to be finishing Winds of Winter The Entire time" - is the Best Quote of the year

[@gateauxq4604]

Mentioning Frank Frazetta amped up the nerdetry to 11 and sent my heart aflutter all over again. Please never stop, Stephen.

[@marijamilinkovic9381]

I could watch these two talk for hours and I would never get bored. I hope that GRRM will do another interview with Stephen once Winds Of Winter come out

[@TheMetalTempestYT]

What a living legend. Please live forever lol. We need our killer santa around for as long as we can. Honestly, he seems immortal anyway. LMAO

[@unrulysimian3897]

Don't jinx him!!!

[@zxzfantasykittenzxz]

Knock on wood

[@avada0]

Or at least long enought to finish the main ASOIAF series. So another 15 years at least. :)

[@oldgit4260]

Not carrying all that weight he won't

[@wouldhave4998]

Let's just hope his weight came from vodka and meat. My grandmother is in her 70s and similarly shaped, yet she is absolutely fine.

[@cosmoshope3462]

such a likable guy, we are blessed to be alive to witness greatness.

[@KarinaFioravante]

Adorable... just adorable!!!

[@thelonewolf1894]

I am often too harsh a critic of George R R Martin, but I love the world he created. A truly gifted writer who deserves much more recognition. If it wasn't for George the fantasy genre would not be what it is today. I love everything he represents.

[@RPG_Angie]

7:25 "You have to go to Valinor for that" was an awesome nerdy zinger.

[@SerHuntsReviews]

*Valar Morghulis*

[@salvadorkoehler7486]

Valar Dohaeris

[@dhruvbalchandani747]

‘She dreamt she sat on the Iron Throne, high above them all’💛🦁

[@angelg6090]

You can tell Stephan’s a true fan. That makes this interview so much better, two people sharing a common interest!

[@Gredran]

What's your level of procrastination? I wrote an entire separate 700 page book and I have a second one of similar length planned, but its not continuing the story, but a prequel. Don't get me wrong, I understand creativity, and that's why that level of procrastination absolutely is the best thing to me :D

[@yusuffulat6954]

At this point I’m sure he simply doesn’t know how to actually finish the story.

[@ameliabell2509]

I completely agree with that, I am writer myself and I would not call it procastination. I would call it writers block.

[@AozoraZz]

I think I get it. Its like sometimes I love a book so much I read it deliberately slow or stop for a while because I don't want it to end when in reality I can probably read it in a day if I force myself.

[@boohoo723]

@@yusuffulat6954 You're probably right in that once he had to scrap the 5-year timeskip he planned, he had to rewrite a bunch of things.

[@whylesscraziness]

Me understanding every word of this conversation only proves how much of a nerd I am.

[@Grendelbc]

You're not a nerd just because you love great fantasy and science fiction. Martin mentioned some truly wonderful authors.

[@fani5000]

Right! The Valinor joke ... :'D

[@GoobNoob]

They didn't even say anything

[@truebrit4789]

I live in Birmingham England where you can visit Sarehole Mill which was the childhood haunt of Tolkien. You can see clearly the inspiration for The Prancing Pony and the forests.

[@Necrophadez]

True Brit I grew up where he got inspiration for the twin towers in Ladywood, Birmingham.

[@aegon1targaryen208]

Love Colbert in this one!! You can tell he’s a fan of George!

[@thedirty530]

George will be remembered right next to Tolkien.....Thank the gods for men like them!

[@anotherhappylanding4746]

The old gods and the new

[@doncorleole2356]

Only if he can finish the books without a major drop in quality

[@chrissiem3958]

I feel like this conversation could very easily be taking place between Stephen and George in a blanket fort while they're both in their jammies, surrounded by books for reference 😂

[@Karpify]

I just love that a conversation as nerdy as this can exist on late night television today.

[@samimotaghedi]

I love this man! What an amazing storyteller!

[@EyubYildirim]

After hearing that this was only the first half, Stephen asked the question we all had in our minds, "Shouldn't you be finishing Winds of Winter all this time?". That is gold

[@papabie2108]

I was heart broken by Stan Lee's passing . Please GRRM . Please live more like 50 years more to write books . Youre a living Legend man

[@asgharabbas2193]

I always liked how confident martin is , he seems always at ease

[@piplupcola]

GRRM literally detouring from his main assignment to write a 700 page book is such a mood

[@shotgundiplomat2406]

5:50 Basically hints he's working on Winds of Winter and A Dream of Spring at the same time. That's the hope at least...

[@MinersLoveGames]

I'm really starting to think that might be the case. He's been pretty quiet about it all for a while, and rolling out not one, but two books would absolutely rock the world.

[@killjoy004]

I love it when he cries out "There were a lot of kings. There were a lot of kings." Come on George, you made up all those kings. could have had 6 kings who ruled for 50 years each and it would be done in a single book lol.

[@angelgarcia8998]

He has a lovely giggle :)

[@Black_pearl_adrift]

I *thought* I was a nerd untill I listened to this interview. It sounds like my dad talking with his friends about scifi. I'm so gd lost 🥲

[@littleripper312]

He should do a podcast! He's always interesting to listen to!

[@EloraWood]

I’m a huge fan - and await WoW and aDoS as much as anyone...but seriously people... *he doesn’t OWE us anything* . He can write whatever and go wherever his creative spirit takes him. Just enjoy the ride you get and worry less about the one you think you should get.

[@srcocomad]

Well said

[@redmilo92]

Also, should be pointed out, his publishers wanted this book next. ew.com/author-interviews/2018/11/19/george-rr-martin-interview/amp/?platform=hootsuite&__twitter_impression=true

[@buchdrache1409]

"He doesn't owe us anything"????!!!!!!! Are you serious! Of course he does! He is worth 65 million dollars now *a lot because of his fans* !!!! Our passion makes him a legend... our enthusiasm makes him money. He might be skilled with world building and the story he has created, BUT he needs to be held responsible. A public figure owes the public at least something for their success...! He needs to get a bloody move on and write the damn books that he has promised. All these side projects are bullcrap. I am glad that at least the show creators know how to be responsible towards the fans...!

[@EloraWood]

Adya Singh, First off, for the show creators it’s about the money. You think they would spend millions just out of loyalty to their fans? Hardly... Second, no, he does not owe us. The money you and millions of others paid where for the books he already poured thousands of hours into. Just because you bought a or several books of a series doesn’t mean you are entitled to dictate the authors time or tell him to change his ways for you. *You got what you paid for* . The longtime fans know that this is the way he does it. This is not the first (or second) time we had to wait many years for the next book in the series.And the wait is always worth it. You can’t rush art. The story speaks to you when it does, not when some people think that you need to continue writing. Quality over quantity. Edit: and to think that famous people *owe you* just because you *chose* to like what they do is frankly very twisted. The only thing they might owe you is a kind word or a free autograph if you’d meet them by chance and they’d have the time. But other than that - they owe you nothing. It’s actually kind of sad that you (or others who think like that) do not appreciate others in your life like that. You pay money for food you like, clothing you wear, clean toilets you use etc but you don’t think the garbage man owes you or you don’t try to dictate his/her life. You paid for a book/movie/song/dance/sporting event - that’s what you got. The number of fans doesn’t change that. The audacity to say that he is successful *because* of you (fans in general) is beyond me. He is successful because he is a talented story teller and writer, because he studied and works and you try to high jack that hard labor because you paid for a book, less money than you probably spend on eating out...

[@buchdrache1409]

elora wood ● Well, first of all...how is the series less of an "art" piece than Martin's work. Sure books have more pages and space to develop characters and scenes more, but that does not mean that the Series they inspire are not artistic. And yet, you do not see us having to wait 3-4 years between seasons. ● You really think that it isn't also about the money for Martin??? Nobody has denied that he is a talented writer and that he deserves acclaim. But he has written quite a few books, which hardly anybody wanted( world of ice and fire, lands of ice and fire, TWO part history of the Targaryens )and not written the ones people are clamouring for( WoW ), what his success is based on! He has written a book about the maps/lands of his world...and he even said in some comic con that by the end of it he got tired of just making up names of places! What was the point of that book if not to make money off of the fame of his original series and the tv series/ and the enthusiasm that it generated! ●The wait being justified and duly rewarded is a matter of perception. I read the books before the series came out, and am in general, a huge nerd...and yet, i must say that the last two books (for which the wait was loooooong, although not as long as the wait for WoW), were not really good at all...! ●"To get what you pay ( not just monetarily, but also with your interest in the book/series ) for" is an okay sentiment to have with books when they are stand-alones...not when they are a series without a resolved ending. If you told me that he would never finish the series, i probably would never read it at all. ●Of course he is allowed to do what he wants...but honestly, so are his critics who just don't get why he won't give to the fans whom he partially owes for his successes! ●He always wanted to be a screenwriter/a writer whose work got adapted to the screen. He got what he wanted. And we are all glad! BUT that does not absolve him of being guilty of shirking his duties. Of course, this is my opinion...and you have your own. He is lucky to have a fan as patient and tolerant as you. Unfortunately, most of them(/us) are not.

[@miless544]

We all know George doesn't owe us anything, but there is such a thing as gratitude and wanting to give back to all those who have supported him for so many years. I mean, did you see the cut of that suit he came out in? George is living Large in more ways than one.

[@Attcspunk]

I love there's a nerd with a late night show!!! No one else could have a nerd talk with George R. R. Martin.

[@southard8492]

We need to make sure this man gets the best doctor so we can keep him alive as long as possible to make sure we know how everything turns out!

[@olek.figiel]

No offence but GRRM himself looks like beloved medieval bard who sings songs during feasts about all-mighty kings and heroes living thousands years ago.

[@Grimread]

I started reading George R.R. Martin's 'A Song of Ice and Fire' years before the HBO series and I can tell you that he ALWAYS takes an eternity to write the sequels.

[@mariesia3449]

A Game of Thrones - 1996 A Clash if Kings - 1998 A Storm of Swords - 2000 A Feast for Crows - 2005 A Dance of Dragons - 2011 The Winds of Winter - God knows when A Dream of Spring - will never be released because the world has ended

[@thatnorwegianguy1986]

I love when Stephen just geeks out ha ha I can relate

[@JenniferArrow]

Colbert is so darn smart. Like he's actually read books.

[@effincasuals8877]

Take your time George😊 write all the side story's you want.

[@morimoto5768]

Err what if he had accident huh? Thing happen you know

[@Chu9947]

I have watched this video so many times. LOVE this interview.

[@Melvis0]

George is great. A genius and a gentleman.

[@ayamd95]

OMG, who knew the creative mind behind savage Game of Thrones was literally a stuffed teddy bear? What a sweet man!

[@Sealdrop]

i love turtles

[@TangoBravoAlerts]

This makes me feel better about being a writer and then diverging to write other ideas I have even if there is a big story I really, really should be finishing... Now if I could just be published and have all the money in the world

[@melissadin9718]

I want ALL of George R.R. Martin's books. Excellent writer. The depth of his writings. ❤👏🔥❄

[@muzzamilsafdar4721]

This guy has some serious talent in writing fantasy

[@montyparata4914]

Before reading A Game of Thrones I was never very interested in reading, and had always struggled to fend off distracting thoughts and immerse myself, despite being a capable, articulate student, worker, and musician (and naive philosopher). 4 years later, I have read asoiaf roughly 6 times through, as well as his other works multiple times. All the while I was developing a deep love for the written word, reading Lovecraft, Tolkien, Huxley, Kafka, Orwell to name a few. This lead to a renaissance in my life; now I study history in my spare time for fun, I write poetry and lyrics, as well as documenting my life, thoughts, feelings, and plans. All because one of the girls I used to "get coffee" with had this one book in her room and didn't care much for it and gave it to me, and coincidentally, another girl had the rest of the series which she wasn't reading gave me those haha. I'm so thankful, because all of these things helped me turn my life around and now i'm going to be an educator/social worker.

[@phil-f716]

This is the best conversation I’ve heard in so many years. I’m nerding out hard lol

[@LisaLisa001]

The geeking out in this is mesmerizing. I can't stop watching.

[@Maky313]

I wish this interview had been longer : ()

[@FreakieFan]

Holy shit, as a massive aSoIaF nerd, this is a great surprise. Love, love, love GRRM

[@sarahlisa5191]

Well, he's going to be promoting his book, so you'll get plenty more surprises.

[@FreakieFan]

@@sarahlisa5191 I hope!

[@micaelalombard2831]

Anyone read Fire & Blood yet? I'm about halfway through and I love it!

[@poppybell8217]

What a sweet and fascinating man!