I try to make the readers feel they've lived the events of the book. Just as you grieve if a friend is killed, you should grieve if a fictional character is killed. You should care. If somebody dies and you just go get more popcorn, it's a superficial experience isn't it?

The quote "I try to make the readers feel they've lived the events of the book. Just as you grieve if a friend is killed, you should grieve if a fictional character is killed. You should care. If somebody dies and you just go get more popcorn, it's a superficial experience isn't it?" by George R. R. Martin reflects his approach to writing and storytelling. Martin, known for his epic fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire, aims to create an emotional connection between the readers and the characters in his books. He wants his audience to be so immersed in the story that they genuinely feel the loss of a character, just as they would for a real person.

Martin argues that a deep emotional response to the events in a book, especially when it comes to the death of a character, is essential for a meaningful reading experience. He believes that fictional characters should elicit the same level of empathy and grief as people we know in real life. If readers are detached from the emotional impact of a character’s death and continue the story as though nothing significant has happened, it reflects a superficial engagement with the material. Martin suggests that the true power of storytelling lies in its ability to provoke genuine emotional responses from the audience.

By comparing the reaction to a character's death to grieving a friend, Martin highlights the importance of emotional investment in the story. For him, a truly impactful narrative should stir deep emotions, making the audience feel personally involved in the events of the book. This emotional immersion is what transforms a book from a mere form of entertainment to a memorable and meaningful experience.

Ultimately, George R. R. Martin’s quote emphasizes the idea that storytelling should create emotional depth, encouraging readers to care about the characters as if they were real. It reflects his commitment to crafting stories that resonate on a deeper emotional level, urging readers to be more than passive consumers of entertainment but active participants in the world he creates.