George R.R. Martin's Persistent Journey to Complete The Winds of Winter

George R.R. Martin’s Ongoing Battle with The Winds of Winter

When George R.R. Martin participates in interviews, the discussion often circles back to his much-anticipated novel, The Winds of Winter. In a recent feature by Hollywood Reporter, Martin shared insights not only about his forthcoming works like A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, but also reflected on the daunting task of completing the next chapter in the A Song of Ice and Fire series.

Despite other exciting projects, the pressure surrounding The Winds of Winter weighs heavily on Martin. During last year's WorldCon, a fan's question about another writer taking over for him due to his age struck a nerve. At 77, Martin candidly expressed his frustration about the suggestion.

The Weight of Expectations

Currently, Martin has about 1,100 pages drafted for the novel. However, he admits he frequently revisits and revises his work, often rewriting entire chapters or shifting focus between characters as inspiration strikes. "I will open the last chapter I was working on and say, 'Oh f*ck, this is not very good.'" Despite feeling the weight of time, he remains committed to finishing the book.

Confronting Challenges

The pandemic offered Martin a chance to isolate himself for writing, yet it brought significant challenges as he grappled with self-doubt. He recounted moments of creating a Tyrion chapter he loved, only to later decide it fundamentally altered the narrative's course.

Martin makes it clear: quitting is not an option. "It would feel like a total failure to me. I want to finish," he stated. The notion of another author completing the novel is unimaginable for him; if he is unable to finish, he considers the story would remain unfinished.

Martin's dedication to his craft is unwavering, and the future of The Winds of Winter remains uncertain. While fans continue to hope for its release, they can look forward to A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, set to premiere on January 18 on HBO and HBO Max, providing a taste of Martin's complex world.

Source: GeekTyrant