Overview

• Speaking at NYCC, Martin acknowledged the long wait and said he has always struggled with deadlines, calling missed targets unpleasant.
• Martin said he remains interested in The Winds of Winter and continues to work on it, yet he declined to predict when it will be finished.
• He described the global success of Game of Thrones as adding pressure that makes writing harder, as he feels each chapter must meet heightened expectations.
• Martin noted that studios are now optioning his older works, fueling other commitments, and he joked about the backlash he receives when he posts news that is not a Winds update.
• Background context includes missed attempts to deliver the book before HBO’s later seasons, his decision to stop making timing predictions after past blowback, and the fact that no official progress percentage has been disclosed.