George R.R. Martin Gives Quick Update on Winds of Winter Progress

[katenis]

Yes, WordStar on CP/M. Nobody is claiming that backing up or converting those files is impossible; the issue is how much specialist knowledge, old hardware, and effort may be required to recover them decades later. A virtual machine does not necessarily need guest utilities either: files can be exchanged using disk images, virtual drives, emulation, networking, or serial connections.

CP/M did not have modern subdirectories, although its user areas provided a rudimentary form of organization. In any case, preserving old documents does not mean returning to WordStar for everyday work. The sensible approach is to retain the original files, verify the backups, and also convert them to open, current formats—preserving both their historical authenticity and their future accessibility.

[drofgnal]

When all else fails, print a copy as a backup.

[Apollyon202]

Fifteen years have passed since the last book. The debate about Winds of Winter has also been going on for over a decade now. He didn't say it directly, but clearly he just doesn't want to finish it. But even if he does eventually, what kind of book would it be if the author no longer wanted to write it?

Not to mention that even if he does release this book in the upcoming years by some coincidence, there'll still be one book left.

[MSWallack]

I read an interesting theory (I can't recall where or who the originator was) suggesting that the real problem is that GRRM didn't like the reaction to the ending of the TV show and didn't want to endure that kind of hostile response to whatever ending he wrote and -- according to the theory -- he has actually finished both books but is holding them to be published posthumously so that he doesn't have to deal with any criticism and negative blowback. Not sure if I believe that theory, but I thought it was interesting...

[drofgnal]

So he'd rather let his multitude of fans hate him for waiting so long to publish the books?

[rantanplan]

Originally Posted by drofgnal

So he'd rather let his multitude of fans hate him for waiting so long to publish the books?

This question has 2 things that are true at the same time:
- Should GRRM just officially cancel the 2 final books? IMHO yes.
- Are those people unable to properly regulate their emotions and seek therapy? Also yes.

[pickyaxe]

Originally Posted by rantanplan

This question has 2 things that are true at the same time:
- Should GRRM just officially cancel the 2 final books? IMHO yes.
- Are those people unable to properly regulate their emotions and seek therapy? Also yes.

I'm thoroughly exhausted of this style of modern thinking. attacking large groups of people on behalf of some corporation or a multi-millionaire author, is frankly pathetic.

people who like his work and expect him to keep his end of the deal, which is releasing the books he promised, are completely reasonable. nobody needs to shield the poor (actually, very rich) author from criticism. especially not against allegations of him just being terminally lazy.

on a different note, this guy personally signed off on the absolute slop that were the later episodes in the series. he did this because he was offered large sums of money. at that point in time the series was wildly popular, so I'm sure he had enough leverage to make sweeping changes to the plot.

[John F]

Originally Posted by pickyaxe

I'm thoroughly exhausted of this style of modern thinking. attacking large groups of people on behalf of some corporation or a multi-millionaire author, is frankly pathetic.

people who like his work and expect him to keep his end of the deal, which is releasing the books he promised, are completely reasonable. nobody needs to shield the poor (actually, very rich) author from criticism. especially not against allegations of him just being terminally lazy.

on a different note, this guy personally signed off on the absolute slop that were the later episodes in the series. he did this because he was offered large sums of money. at that point in time the series was wildly popular, so I'm sure he had enough leverage to make sweeping changes to the plot.

Well if you're sure...

[rantanplan]

Originally Posted by pickyaxe

I'm thoroughly exhausted of this style of modern thinking. attacking large groups of people on behalf of some corporation or a multi-millionaire author, is frankly pathetic.

Sure buddy ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[DiapDealer]

I do find it just a bit odd that people can't criticize an (insert author, artist, athlete, musician, actor here)'s work ethic without someone coming out of the woodwork to accuse them of being overly emotional and in need of therapy. But go ahead and feel superior for throwing others under the bus while simultaneously pretending to be taking the high road.

[NNolan]

After he dies how can he stop anyone else from "finishing" it? If his wife decides she wants/needs the revenue she can hire someone to finish it from any rough notes he left behind.

The Tolkien family has been pumping out LoTR books for the last 40 years, and JRR Tolkien has been dead for 52 years.

[rantanplan]

Originally Posted by NNolan

After he dies how can he stop anyone else from "finishing" it?

You're right, it'll probably be up to the rights holder, whoever that'll be. Technically anyone finish the story right now and put it out as fanfic.

[rantanplan]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

I do find it just a bit odd that people can't criticize an (insert author, artist, athlete, musician, actor here)'s work ethic without someone coming out of the woodwork to accuse them of being overly emotional and in need of therapy. But go ahead and feel superior for throwing others under the bus while simultaneously pretending to be taking the high road.

Thinking a bit about it I have made an ass out of myself by generalizing the diverse fanbase and accusing a wide range of people of being overly emotions. I'm sorry about that and I apologize to everyone I have offended by that.

I guess I need to do better.

[DiapDealer]

Thank you for reconsidering your approach/position.

[John F]

Originally Posted by NNolan

After he dies how can he stop anyone else from "finishing" it? If his wife decides she wants/needs the revenue she can hire someone to finish it from any rough notes he left behind.

The Tolkien family has been pumping out LoTR books for the last 40 years, and JRR Tolkien has been dead for 52 years.

I'm a little surprised that he can't put something in a will that would be legally binding?