George R.R. Martin Finally Reveals What Happens to ‘A Song of Ice and Fire’ If He Never Finishes the Series

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George R.R. Martin has provided an update on the progress of The Winds of Winter. In a recent, detailed interview with The Hollywood Reporter, he discussed his health, what he hopes his career will be remembered for, and the status of the next book in the A Song of Ice and Fire series.

Despite being older and experiencing typical aches and pains, Martin says he’s doing well. He playfully addressed recent health rumors, quipping, “Maybe you should report that George R.R. Martin isn’t dying!” However, people are still curious about whether he’ll ever finish writing The Winds of Winter.

Martin says the book is actively being written and is substantial in its current form. He’s written approximately 1,100 pages, which he’s shared previously. Despite the challenges and difficulties, he’s determined to complete it. He stated, “I would hate to give up; it would feel like a complete failure. I’m committed to finishing the book.”

Martin reassured fans concerned about the fate of his series if he were unable to finish it. He stated there are no plans for another writer to take over, nor does he have a detailed outline for someone else to use. He explained that if anything were to happen to him, the story would remain unfinished, much like some famous novels from the past.

The author explained that the story is taking so long partly because it’s become incredibly intricate. Over time, the series has expanded with many characters and plotlines that all need to fit together seamlessly. Martin shared that he frequently revisits and revises chapters he’s already written, sometimes even discarding beloved material if it doesn’t align with the overall direction of the book.

He admitted that starting work can be difficult, as he often finds his previous writing isn’t up to par. “I’ll open the last chapter and immediately think, ‘Oh no, this is terrible,'” Martin explained. This frequently leads to extensive revisions or him switching to work on a different character’s perspective instead.

Martin admits that his life was transformed when Game of Thrones became popular worldwide. Although the show’s success led to new opportunities for him as a producer and creative partner, it also meant he could no longer dedicate himself solely to writing.

He’s currently working on several other projects set in Westeros, like the Dunk and Egg novellas and another volume of Fire & Blood, as well as commitments for television. However, he’s been told repeatedly that finishing The Winds of Winter is the most important thing.

Even though things are difficult, Martin is still hopeful he can finish his book. He thinks it might even become the longest novel in the series if he includes all his ideas. However, he also admits that his motivation fluctuates, saying, “Sometimes I just don’t feel like working on it. I’m really behind on everything.”

George R.R. Martin wants to reassure fans concerned the series might never finish: he hasn’t given up on “The Winds of Winter” and will continue writing as long as he’s able, meaning the story still has a chance of being completed.

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2026-01-16 10:44