George R.R. Martin reminded fans during an event a writer’s conference at Freemason’s Hall in London their favorite characters are not safe, even if it seems like they’re on top.
According to Buzzfeed, Martin claimed he feels comfortable with the way he set up the “A Song of Fire and Ice” saga, which means he’s getting close to killing off more characters.
“The way my books are structured, everyone was together,” Martin explained to the conference crowd, “then they all went their separate ways and the story deltas out like that, and now it’s getting to the point where the story is beginning to delta back in, and the viewpoint characters are occasionally meeting up with each other now and being in the same point at the same time, which gives me a lot more flexibility for killing people.”
Martin is known to kill off fan favorite characters in the most gruesome ways. The first major death that caused outrage was the death of Ned Stark. However, the author made a valid point when it comes to anyone who has a problem with his writing style.
“I could have written a story about a well-adjusted family,” Martin said. “Ned Stark comes down to King’s Landing and takes over and solves all their problems. Would that have been as exciting?”
However, the author recently admitted fans do keep him on his toes when it comes to completing his sixth installment, “Winds of Winter.” Though the novel still doesn't have a set release date, the author revealed during the Edinburgh International Literary Festival some fans have already figured out the biggest twist of the saga.
"I've wrestled with this issue, because I do want to surprise my readers. I hate predictable fiction as a reader, I don't want to write predictable fiction,” Martin told the festival crowd. "I want to surprise and delight my reader and take them in directions they didn't see coming. But I can't change the plans.”
