The difference an editor makes (Game of Thrones spoilers)

[[deleted user]]

For those who read the books and watch the show, I am consistently fascinated with how they've managed to cut out "major characters" yet not cut out major plot points.

(view spoiler)[
E.g. Combining Sansa's plotline with Bolton's marriage. Combining Jorah and Varys with the Targaryan prince.
(hide spoiler)]

It goes to show how in these long, intensely complex novels edits can be made, to the point of removing characters without compromising the story, and what a difference a good editor can make. I definitely think the story is stronger for these changes.

What do you think?

[Michele]

I think the show is doing a great job of keeping the story linear and moving forward, chopping out all the extraneous side characters/plots that really don't affect either of the two main plotlines - Who is going to end up on the Iron Throne and ruling Winterfell? and How are they all going to survive the White Walkers?

The fact is that while people might enjoy watching the (view spoiler)[ Greyjoys have their kingsmoot or Lady Stoneheart and her band of thugs or Dany mucking about in the desert (hide spoiler)], these plots don't move those main stories anywhere, which is why I was so bored reading the last two books.

I'm hoping George starts killing off tons of characters left and right in the next book and things start moving forward again because those last couple of books were a lot of treading water while everyone got a bit older and "leveled up" some for the ginormous epic ending we all know is coming.