George R R Martin admits struggle writing ‘Winds of Winter’

George R R Martin admits struggle with ‘Winds of Winter’ as fans react and fear the final book delay grows again

George R R Martin has once again addressed the long and difficult road behind The Winds of Winter, admitting that the writing process has been a personal struggle and that walking away from the project would feel like a total failure. The author, who has been working on the sixth book in the A Song of Ice and Fire series since 2010, shared that the manuscript could become the longest novel in the saga if he completes every storyline currently planned in his head.

Martin explained that finishing the book remains a priority for him, despite years of delays and intense public pressure. He previously revealed that the manuscript had passed the thousand page mark, with estimates placing it between 1,100 and 1,200 pages. That would place it ahead of A Dance with Dragons, which previously held the record as the longest entry in the series. The author has repeatedly stated that the complexity of the story, the number of characters and the scale of the political conflicts have contributed to the slow pace of progress.

He also rejected the idea of handing the story to another writer, noting that allowing someone else to complete the series would leave his own vision unfinished. Martin compared the situation to unfinished literary works from history, saying he does not want his saga to remain incomplete in that way. His comments underline how personally invested he remains in the world of Westeros, even as his workload has expanded with television projects connected to the franchise.

Online reaction to Martin’s latest remarks was swift. On social media platforms, fans expressed a mixture of sympathy, frustration and cautious hope. Some readers praised his honesty and urged patience, with posts encouraging him to protect his health and creative focus. Others shared memes about the long wait and joked about the book becoming legendary for its length alone. Several fan accounts began trending the title of the novel again, while reading groups revisited earlier volumes in anticipation of eventual release news.

The ongoing success of related television series has kept interest high, but it has also intensified scrutiny around the unfinished novels. Industry observers note that the legacy of Game of Thrones remains closely tied to whether Martin can complete the written story on his own terms.

Despite the pressure, Martin has insisted that he wants to finish what he started. For many fans, that commitment remains the strongest sign that The Winds of Winter will eventually reach bookshelves, even if the wait continues.