George R.R. Martin Reveals the Fate of ‘A Song of Ice and Fire’ If He Never Finishes the Series
George R.R. Martin, the author behind the epic A Song of Ice and Fire series, has shared an honest update on the status of his long-awaited book, The Winds of Winter. The author, 77, says he has around 1,100 pages written but admits the finishing line is still far away. Speaking with reporters, Martin made it clear that he will not hand the story to another writer if he cannot finish it. “If that happens, my work won’t be finished,” he said. “It’ll be like The Mystery of Edwin Drood.”
Martin has spent decades building the world of Westeros. While the Game of Thrones series brought him global fame, it also added pressures and distractions. He now juggles multiple projects, including new Dunk and Egg stories, the upcoming Fire & Blood 2, and producing duties on shows like House of the Dragon and Dark Winds. These commitments have slowed his progress on Winter, but Martin insists he is committed to finishing it. “I would hate that,” he said. “It would feel like a total failure to me. I want to finish.”
The author described his writing process as careful and sometimes frustrating. He often rewrites chapters, even ones he likes, if they do not fit with the overall story.
He explained that he sometimes works on different characters’ perspectives, shifting between Tyrion and Jon Snow, or rewriting sections multiple times to get the story right. Despite the complexity, Martin remains motivated by his love for the world he has created. “I’m not necessarily tired of the world [of Ice and Fire],” he said. “I love the world and the world-building.”
Fans have been impatient for The Winds of Winter, and Martin has felt the pressure. At a recent WorldCon panel, a fan asked if he would let another author finish the book, citing his age. The question shocked Martin, who said the audience’s reaction made him feel unfairly criticized. “I really didn’t need that shit. Nobody needs that s****” he said.
Martin also reflected on how long it has taken to finish the series compared to earlier books. A Storm of Swords, published in 2000, was written in about a year, but Winter has now taken more than 14 years. He attributes the delay to the complexity of the story and the many distractions from his career as a producer and celebrity.
Despite the delays, Martin remains hopeful. He said that once he can focus fully on writing and set aside other projects, he may be able to finish The Winds of Winter. “I do think if I can just get some of these other things off my back, I could finish it pretty soon,” he said.
In the meantime, fans can enjoy spin-offs like House of the Dragon and the upcoming A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, which explore other corners of Westeros. Martin continues to work from his home office in Santa Fe, writing on a DOS computer disconnected from the internet to minimize distractions.
Martin’s commitment to finishing the saga shows that, even after decades, he remains dedicated to his story and characters. For fans, that means the world of Westeros is not finished yet.
What do you think about Martin’s approach to finishing The Winds of Winter? Do you trust him to complete the series, or are you worried it might remain unfinished? Share your thoughts in the comments.
