So where's your chunky fantasy trilogy then, if they're so easy to write?
Edit, since I'm being downvoted, and that was written in a hurry on the train: I wrote a book too. It was really fucking hard, and took a long time, but I'm ultimately happy with the way it came out, and that I took the time to do it properly. The reward for that care and hard work seems to be not "great book, thanks!" but people bitching about how long it took to write.
Hence, I now have a very low tolerance for people complaining about other people's work and being whiny and entitled.
Gosh, I don't recall saying that he was my bitch. Really. Can you point out where I did?
Writing code (which is what most of us do here, I think) is a lot like writing books, so it's not like I don't understand blockage or the whole "having a life" thing. Heck, I could understand him never writing another word again if his muse died. That's human and understandable. The thing that draws my ire is not the lack of productivity, but the attitude he has about it. (Which is less that GRRM is my bitch, and more that he considers me his.)
> Gosh, I don't recall saying that he was my bitch. Really. Can you point out where I did?
>> He wrote the first 3 books of his 7 book series at a normal pace, about every 18 months, but then slowed to a crawl for book 4 - something like a 5 year delay. Writer's block happens, but what makes people angry is that he continues to have an extensive "extra-curricular" schedule involving workshops, cons, and travel. And he's told his fans "I don't owe you anything," and has shown not only not-shame, but active antipathy to those who have the temerity to call him out on his irresponsibility.
You didn't call him a bitch, but I do get a feeling that you feel he should drop his extra-curricular activities until he is done with the book, he owes his fans, should show shame for not completing the book etc.
He is a writer who writes books for living. You bought his book and that entitles you to the book and nothing else. Extra-curricular, owing something to you and shame for not following up aren't included with the book.
> (Which is less that GRRM is my bitch, and more that he considers me his.)
Yeah. If he says "I will write when I feel like writing" is totally considering you his bitch, right? Gosh, the sense of entitlement.
Actually, that's calling him out precisely for his mistake - not admitting his irresponsibility, and shamelessly attacking those who've pointed it out. Can you think of any other author who's done this? Gaiman's piece is riddled with holes, and is a rather obvious partisan piece - writers unite and all that. Intriguingly, even within that piece, Gaiman reveals that he felt bad about blowing his deadline, something that GRRM not only hasn't revealed, but has attacked people for wondering why not.
There is actually a good reason for readers to prefer writers who demonstrate some sense of responsibility for finishing what they start. Writers that do not demonstrate a sense of responsibility do not seem to actually finish their work. And whatever Gaiman or Martin say, there is a (at least weak) contract between author and reader that the writer will finish a series that he begins. If the author does not want to make that contract, then he is free to write a stand-alone novel, and then write sequels as he likes.
> that's calling him out precisely for his mistake - not admitting his irresponsibility
By deciding that him taking time writing his book and not living as a hermit is "a mistake" and "irresponsible" you — and others in your situation — are very much calling him your bitch.
> Can you think of any other author who's done this?
> And whatever Gaiman or Martin say, there is a (at least weak) contract between author and reader that the writer will finish a series that he begins.
No, there is not.
> If the author does not want to make that contract, then he is free to write a stand-alone novel, and then write sequels as he likes.
That doesn't make a lick of sense, the author could fucking be hit by a bus tomorrow and you as a reader would be left in the cold just the same, except without the ability to find shit to bitch about.
Here's an idea if you don't like waiting and the risk that includes: only read finished series. There, you're done, the advice is free and have a nice day.
Edit, since I'm being downvoted, and that was written in a hurry on the train: I wrote a book too. It was really fucking hard, and took a long time, but I'm ultimately happy with the way it came out, and that I took the time to do it properly. The reward for that care and hard work seems to be not "great book, thanks!" but people bitching about how long it took to write.
Hence, I now have a very low tolerance for people complaining about other people's work and being whiny and entitled.