Everybody knows how much Martin likes to kill off his Westeros children.
These days, however, the HBO series has started killing off charactes that are still alive in the source novels as the show outstrips the existing five books with two yet to be published.
Although the books and television show have started to diverge in some major ways, though, it seems unlikley that what happens on screen will completely disregard the author’s well-laid plans for which characters will make it out alive at the very end.
Fans will be thrilled to know that he fully intended five major fictional favourites to survive, although this leaves the fate of some others hanging precariously in the balance.
Martin revealed that he may not have prepare thorough outlines like some authours but he still has firm views on exactly where his story is going.
He said: “As you know, I don’t outline my novels. I find that if I know exactly where a book is going, I lose all interest in writing it. I do, however, have some strong notions as to the overall structure of the story I’m telling, and the eventual fate of many of the principle characters in the drama.
“The cast will not always remain the same. Old characters will die, and new ones will be introduced. Some of the fatalities will include sympathetic viewpoint characters.”
So, who will live and who will die, Mr Martin?
GEORGE RR MATIN SPEAKS OUT ABOUT WHO LIVES AND WHO DIES ON SCREEN
Martin added: “I want the reader to feel that no one is ever completely safe, not even the characters who seem to be the heroes. The suspense always ratchets up a notch when you know that any character can die at any time.
“Five central characters will make it through all three volumes, however, growing from children to adults and changing the world and themselves in the process. In a sense, my trilogy is almost a generational saga, telling the life stories of these five characters, three men and two women.
“The five key players are Tyrion Lannister, Daenerys Targaryen, and three of the children of Winterfell, Arya, Bran, and the bastard Jon Snow.”
From the mention of only three books fans will spot that this is from before they even came out. Martin’s letter to his publishers is part of his pitch for A Song of Ice and Fire in 1993.
A tweet from Waterstones showed three photos of the letter Martin wrote outlining his story ideas and outlines for the entire series. The tweet was immediately taken down, but not before many fans screen-grabbed the revealeing information.
Obviously many of Martin’s plans for the novels may have changed since then, but four of the five mentioned (only Bran Stark has so far failed to make a huge impact) are the runaway hits of the books and show.
Where does that leave poor Sansa and Cersei?
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL LETTER WRITTEN BY GEORGE RR MARTIN