Key Moments
Author George RR Martin Interview at the Oxford Union
Oxford UnionKey Moments
George R.R. Martin's journey from a working-class background in New Jersey to global literary fame was fueled by a lifelong love of stories, initially sparked by his mother's readings and later by pulp fiction and early sci-fi.
Key Insights
George R.R. Martin was inspired to write by his mother reading to him, and by early exposure to comic books, television shows like 'Captain Video,' and science fiction novels like those by Robert A. Heinlein.
Martin's writing process is described as that of a 'gardener' rather than an 'architect,' meaning he lets stories and characters develop organically rather than strictly adhering to a pre-planned outline.
He initially considered dragons in 'A Song of Ice and Fire' as potentially metaphorical representations of fire-wielding powers, but was convinced by a fellow writer to make them literal.
Martin's favorite character to write is Tyrion Lannister because of his intelligence and the enjoyment derived from crafting witty dialogue, and because characters who struggle against adversity are more compelling to him.
The epic scope of 'A Song of Ice and Fire' grew organically; what began as a potential three-book series evolved due to plot developments, eventually leading to the current seven-book plan, with the first book's manuscript exceeding the planned length significantly.
Martin started his professional writing career by selling short stories to science fiction magazines in the late 1960s and early 1970s, before publishing his first novel in 1977.
From Bayonne to the Stars: Early Influences and a Working-Class Upbringing
George R.R. Martin's formative years were spent in Bayonne, New Jersey, a far cry from the fantastical realms he would later create. He describes a working-class upbringing, marked by his mother's family's Irish heritage, the Brady clan, who arrived during the Irish Potato Famine and became involved in local politics and business. His father's Italian family, the Mascalcos, had their surname changed to Martin upon arrival in the US, a detail Martin learned much later. Martin's early life was shaped by the post-war housing shortage, living initially with his maternal grandmother, Jones, a formidable matriarch, before moving to public housing known as 'Linden Houses.' This environment, surrounded by stories and a sense of history from his relatives, laid the groundwork for his future. Crucially, his mother read to him from a young age, instilling a love for stories that he credits with shaping his creative path, even if he didn't initially aspire to be a writer.
The birth of a storyteller through early media
Martin's fascination with stories was further fueled by the burgeoning media of his childhood. As part of the Baby Boomer generation, he was an early television watcher, absorbing everything from 'Howdy Doody' and classic cartoons to Westerns and early science fiction programs. Shows like 'Captain Video' and 'Tom Corbett, Space Cadet' captivated his imagination, planting the seeds for his interest in speculative fiction. He also developed a deep love for comic books, particularly those from DC and later Marvel, drawn to the more character-driven narratives of Peter Parker's Spider-Man over the seemingly invincible Superboy. This early immersion in visual storytelling and fantastical narratives provided a rich tapestry of inspiration for his own creative endeavors.
The 'gardener' approach to writing and the genesis of 'A Song of Ice and Fire'
Martin famously describes his writing process as that of a 'gardener' rather than an 'architect.' Unlike authors who meticulously outline every plot point, he prefers to let his stories and characters grow organically, discovering the narrative as he writes. This approach, while leading to rich and complex worlds, also means his plans can evolve significantly over time. This was evident in the development of 'A Song of Ice and Fire.' Initially conceived as a trilogy, the scope expanded dramatically as he delved into the story. The first book alone far exceeded its planned length, leading to its publication as two volumes in the UK. This organic growth continued, transforming the initial trilogy into the seven-book epic he is currently working on. The decision to make dragons a literal part of the fantasy, rather than a metaphorical element, was also a key moment in this developmental process, influenced by a friend's advice.
Early forays into writing and the shift to novels
Before the colossal success of 'A Song of Ice and Fire,' Martin was an established writer of science fiction and fantasy short stories. He sold his first story in 1970 and spent years honing his craft in this genre, publishing numerous tales in magazines. However, the path to publishing his first novel, 'Dying of the Light,' in 1977 was a deliberate one; he worked on it in secret, as he found the prospect of writing a full novel daunting. He initially found writing novel-length summaries to be challenging, preferring the more contained structure of short fiction. This preference for short stories continued for some time, as it was the standard route for emerging writers in the 1970s. He also had a brief, but memorable, early career as a professional storyteller for other children in his neighborhood, selling his horror stories for five cents each.
Finding his voice: From science fiction to epic fantasy
Martin's transition to the epic fantasy of 'A Song of Ice and Fire' was not immediate. For years, he was a prolific writer of 'science fiction of the thousand worlds' – tales set on distant planets with advanced technology and alien encounters. However, a pivotal moment occurred when he started writing a new novel that abruptly shifted direction. He describes waking up with a specific chapter about 'summer snows' that felt powerfully insistent. This chapter, which eventually became part of 'A Game of Thrones,' drew him away from his science fiction project and led him to embrace a more fantastical direction. The influence of authors like J.R.R. Tolkien and Robert E. Howard, whose 'Conan' stories he devoured as a young teen, also played a significant role in shaping his eventual genre.
Character development and thematic depth
Martin's preference for complex, morally ambiguous characters is a hallmark of his work. He finds characters who struggle against adversity more compelling to write. This is exemplified by his fondness for Tyrion Lannister, whom he enjoys writing because of his wit and intelligence, but also because Tyrion, as a dwarf, faces constant challenges. This contrasts with characters like Superboy, who possess seemingly limitless power and therefore present less narrative tension. Martin's approach, influenced by the evolving narratives in Marvel comics where characters like Peter Parker experienced real-life struggles and consequences, aims to create a world where significant events occur and characters face unpredictable outcomes, a stark contrast to the often static nature of early superhero narratives.
The evolving narrative and the future of the series
The extensive and intricate plot of 'A Song of Ice and Fire' has continued to evolve, a natural consequence of Martin's 'gardener' approach. While he initially planned for a trilogy, the story's complexity demanded more space, leading to the current seven-book series. He notes that even the initial manuscript for the first book was so extensive it had to be split. This organic expansion means that the path of the story, including character fates, can diverge significantly from any early conceptions. Martin expresses regret that the books have not yet been published ahead of the television adaptation, acknowledging that this has been a unique challenge in his career. Despite the immense pressure and ongoing questions about the series' conclusion, he remains committed to bringing his epic saga to its intended end.
Mentioned in This Episode
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Common Questions
Martin's childhood in a working-class, industrial city with a rich history and diverse immigrant population provided him with a deep well of stories and experiences. The proximity to New York Bay and the stories of his family's past, including periods of hardship and resilience, seem to have shaped his narrative landscape.
Topics
Mentioned in this video
A friend of George R. R. Martin for whom he gave a eulogy.
Co-showrunner of the 'Game of Thrones' television series.
Editor of the 'Sword and Sorcery' anthology.
A singing cowboy and star of Western television series watched by Martin.
Spider-Man's alter ego, a relatable character for Martin compared to Superman.
A prominent science fiction author from the Golden Age whose works Martin read.
A prominent science fiction author whose book 'Have Spacesuit—Will Travel' significantly impacted Martin.
Author of 'A Song of Ice and Fire' series, interviewed at the Oxford Union.
A talented science fiction writer and friend of George R. R. Martin.
A character in 'A Song of Ice and Fire' whose perspective was considered for the first chapter.
George R. R. Martin's father.
A science fiction author whose works Martin read.
One of Peter Parker's girlfriends in the comics.
A singing cowboy and star of Western television series watched by Martin.
A character in 'A Song of Ice and Fire' whose perspective was considered for early chapters.
A friend of Clark Kent and Superman.
The real name of the author known as Andre Norton.
A character in 'A Song of Ice and Fire' whose perspective was considered for early chapters.
George R. R. Martin's favorite character, known for his wit and intelligence.
Author whose works, particularly 'The Lord of the Rings', influenced Martin's writing style and structure.
Editor-in-chief at the Daily Planet.
Superman's love interest in DC Comics, whose relationship with Superman remained static.
One of Peter Parker's girlfriends in the comics.
The author of the Peter Rabbit stories.
Actor who starred in 'The Wolf Man'.
Co-showrunner of the 'Game of Thrones' television series.
Pen name of Alice Mary Norton, a prolific writer of science fiction and fantasy whose works Martin enjoyed.
Superman's civilian identity.
Creator of the Conan character and a significant influence on Martin's early reading.
One of Peter Parker's girlfriends in the comics, who famously died.
A significant romantic interest of Peter Parker in the comics.
A character from children's stories that Martin's mother read to him.
A genre of television shows and films Martin enjoyed, including those starring Gene Autry and Roy Rogers.
A science fiction television program for young people.
A DC Comics superhero whose static storylines Martin found less engaging.
A children's television show from the era when Martin grew up.
A Warner Bros. cartoon character Martin watched as a child.
A classic horror character whose films Martin watched on television.
A Disney cartoon character Martin watched as a child.
A science fiction television program from the early 1950s that was filmed and later shown in theaters.
A Disney cartoon character Martin watched as a child.
A Marvel Comics superhero whose character development Martin admired.
A Western television series Martin watched as a child.
An HBO series based on George R. R. Martin's 'A Song of Ice and Fire'.
A popular 15-minute science fiction television program from the 1950s.
A series of animated shorts Martin watched, featuring characters like Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck.
A comic book character whose adventures Martin found more compelling than 'Dick and Jane' stories.
A Warner Bros. cartoon character Martin watched as a child.
A DC Comics character whose powers made him less relatable to Martin than Peter Parker.
A character from Robert E. Howard's stories, featured in 'Sword and Sorcery', who greatly influenced Martin.
A comic book publisher whose stories Martin began to lose interest in.
The company that produced the series 'Game of Thrones'.
A toy company whose castle set Martin used for his turtle dioramas.
The construction company owned by George R. R. Martin's maternal ancestors.
A publisher that released unauthorized editions of Tolkien's works in America.
J. R. R. Tolkien's epic fantasy novel, which Martin considers the best book ever written.
A classic horror character whose films Martin watched on television.
A young adult science fiction novel by Robert A. Heinlein that was influential for George R. R. Martin.
George R. R. Martin's first novel, which he wrote and sent to his agent without prior announcement.
The book series by George R. R. Martin that inspired the HBO series Game of Thrones.
A classic horror character whose films Martin watched on television.
J. R. R. Tolkien's earlier work, which led to the writing of 'The Lord of the Rings'.
A science fiction novel Martin was working on before shifting to 'A Game of Thrones'.
An anthology of fantasy stories edited by L. Sprague de Camp that introduced Martin to characters like Conan.
The generation born after World War II, to which George R. R. Martin belongs.
A magical element in Martin's books that is balanced with grim realism.
A genre that, along with science fiction, greatly influenced Martin's writing.
A genre that significantly influenced Martin, with a boom in the late 1940s and 1950s.
The city where George R. R. Martin was born and raised.
The main commercial street in Bayonne, NJ, not to be confused with the theater district in Manhattan.
A bay near Bayonne, New Jersey, and Manhattan.
The fictional city where Batman operates.
A region where Martin's father fought during World War II.
A tidal strait connecting New York Bay and Newark Bay, near Bayonne, NJ.
A symbol of welcome to immigrants in the US, mentioned in relation to Martin's family history.
An island where Martin's father fought during World War II.
A historical immigration station in New York Harbor, where Martin's ancestors' name was changed.
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