Brandon Sanderson: Character Sprawl is a Pacing Pitfall in 'Game of Thrones'
The prolific fantasy author analyzes how George R.R. Martin's expansive cast disrupted the narrative momentum of A Song of Ice and Fire.
Fantasy author Brandon Sanderson has identified the structural challenges facing George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire as a cautionary example of epic storytelling. Sanderson argues that the series' struggle to reach a conclusion is tied to a fundamental breakdown in narrative pacing caused by an over-expanded cast.
According to Sanderson, the primary issue stems from the sheer volume of characters Martin introduced over time. Sanderson noted that Martin "eventually added so many characters that it threw off the whole pacing for him." This character sprawl became so significant that Martin was forced to write entire books while omitting certain groups of characters simply to maintain a basic novel-like structure consisting of a beginning, middle, and end.
The Mechanics of Epic Fantasy
Sanderson is widely recognized in the industry for his technical approach to storytelling, a discipline he applied when completing The Wheel of Time and while developing his own massive series, The Stormlight Archive. He frequently analyzes the "mechanics" of pacing to avoid the common traps that leave epic series unfinished. By treating plot structure as a technical challenge, Sanderson seeks to balance the desire for a rich, living world with the mathematical necessity of narrative convergence.
The Tension of World-Building
This analysis highlights a recurring tension within the epic fantasy genre: the conflict between expansive world-building and the requirement for a satisfying resolution. While adding lore and new perspectives can make a world feel more authentic, it creates a geometric increase in the number of plot threads that must be tied off. When the cast grows too large, the author risks losing the momentum required to drive the story toward its climax, turning a linear narrative into a sprawling web of disconnected arcs.
Genre Tropes and Future Outlook
Beyond specific pacing issues, Sanderson has discussed the "Tolkien trap," a general genre phenomenon where authors rely too heavily on mid-20th-century traditions and tropes. While some observers have linked this to the ongoing delays of The Winds of Winter, Sanderson presents this primarily as a discussion on the evolution of fantasy rather than a direct diagnosis of Martin's specific delays. For now, the industry continues to watch A Song of Ice and Fire as a primary case study in the risks of narrative expansion without a corresponding plan for convergence.