George R.R. Martin, author of the bestselling “A Song of Ice and Fire” series, has a unique and disciplined writing routine. His approach to crafting complex stories is both simple and effective.
Daily Writing Habit
Martin starts his day early with writing. As he puts it, “I get up every day and work in the morning. I have my coffee and get to work.”
He describes his good days vividly: “On good days I look up and it’s dark outside and the whole day has gone by and I don’t know where it’s gone.”
However, not every day is productive. He admits, “There’s bad days, too. Where I struggle and sweat and a half hour creeps by and I’ve written three words.”
Minimalist Tools
Interestingly, Martin uses very old technology to write. He works on a DOS computer running WordStar 4.0, which he calls “the Duesenberg of word processing software (very old, but unsurpassed).”
This outdated system has no internet access, eliminating online distractions. Martin believes that creativity thrives in a constrained environment.
Immersive Research
Before starting a new book, Martin does extensive research. He explains his “total immersion” method: “I try to learn as much as possible about the subject in question… by reading everything I can get my hands on.” This approach helps him create rich, detailed worlds.
Character-Driven Approach
Martin doesn’t use outlines. He sees himself as a “gardener” writer, explaining, “The gardeners dig a hole, drop in a seed and water it.
They kind of know what seed it is, they know if planted a fantasy seed or mystery seed or whatever.
But as the plant comes up and they water it, they don’t know how many branches it’s going to have, they find out as it grows.”
Focus on Consequences
In Martin’s stories, every action has consequences. He emphasizes, “I think a writer, even a fantasy writer, has an obligation to tell the truth and the truth is, as we say in Game of Thrones, all men must die.”
Balancing Good and Bad Days
Martin acknowledges the ups and downs of writing with a saying: “Sometimes you eat the bear, and sometimes the bear eats you.” This encapsulates his acceptance of both productive and challenging days.
Avoiding Distractions
Martin deliberately avoids modern distractions, stating, “I am not on Facebook. I am not on Twitter. I will not be on the next new thing to come along.” He believes these can interfere with the creative process.
Persistence and Patience
Martin’s success didn’t come overnight. He advises aspiring writers, “Write every day, even if it is only a page or two. The more you write, the better you’ll get.” His routine demonstrates the importance of persistence and patience in writing.
In conclusion, George R.R. Martin’s writing routine combines daily discipline, minimalist tools, deep research, and a character-driven approach.
As he puts it, “The most important thing for any aspiring writer, I think, is to read!” His method shows that sometimes, less is more when it comes to creating epic stories.
