3. Television Writing Inspired The Writing Of The Books
Anyone who has watched a great television series knows the simultaneously excruciating and exciting feeling when a show cuts off at an dramatic moment to take an ad break. In television writing this is known as an act break, and it generally takes place after a twist, revelation or cliffhanger. According to Martin in an interview with Time Magazine, he found this television technique extremely effective, and wanted to try and translate it into literature. For this reason he always tries to end every chapter of A Song Of Ice And Fire with an act break not necessarily a massive twist (although the series is no stranger to those) but at least a significant character revelation. It's interesting to consider how Martin was inspired by television well before the novels were made for TV.
Brian Wilson
Contributor
Commonly found reading, sitting firmly in a seat at the cinema (bottle of water and a Freddo bar, please) or listening to the Mountain Goats.
See more from
Brian