joannalannister:

“The Biggest Game of Thrones Fans in the World Are Not What I Thought They’d Be” by Kaitlyn Tiffany

Each pocket of fans I awkwardly bumped into was engaging with the event in a different way — some with an academic interest in what was essentially a literary conference, others for the opportunity to externalize their superfandom, […] and some just to socialize.

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Martin set out to write a series that flouted every convention of fantasy writing, but the people who love it want even more than that. Another panelist, who goes by JoannaLannister on Tumblr, said that her fascination is what she calls “The Dead Ladies Club,” a nickname for characters like Joanna Lannister, Lyanna Stark, and other women who Martin never bothered to flesh out. She keeps a meticulous spreadsheet of 100 years of Westerosi history, placing all of its events in order so that she can keep her fan fiction in sync with the official canon, and expressed frustration with the fact that Oberyn, Elia, and Doran Martell’s mother is never named. “The unnamed princess of Dorne… I don’t even have a name to put to her political policies.” Roose Bolton’s first wife isn’t named either, and most of the characterization of Lyanna Stark is rudimentary, stereotypes about “willfulness” and beauty: “These women are just blank slates,” she sighed.

Flawed as it may be, the fact that there is a “world” of Westeros is what has allowed these conversations to take place. Because Martin’s books and their supplementary materials are so expansive, it’s possible to discuss them as more of an alternate universe than a linear narrative. It’s not that fans are angry with Martin for his failings, or even ashamed to like something “problematic.” They’re just interested in repairing and refurbishing something that has really good bones.

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Someone quoted me!! From when I talked about The Dead Ladies Club during a panel at @conofthrones!! Thank you for quoting me, Verge journalist!!