Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin weighs in on the agonizing delay for The Winds of Winter, the sixth book in his A Song of Ice and Fire series. Despite his hit fantasy series providing the basis for HBO’s Game of Thrones, release dates are still not finalized for either The Winds of Winter or the seventh, and possibly final book, A Dream of Spring. In the absence of Martin’s own ending, the television adaptation was forced to devise its own conclusion via the highly controversial Game of Thrones finale that saw Bran Stark ascend the Iron Throne.

While speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Martin was once again quizzed about the progress of The Winds of Winter, given it has now been over 13 years since his last book in the series was published. Admitting that while he is unsure how it has taken him so long to finish the book, he made assurances that it remains a priority. Martin also quipped that a lot of commentators are suggesting he will never live to finish the series and are already writing his obituary. Check out his comments below:

Unfortunately, I am 13 years late. Every time I say that, I’m [like], ‘How could I be 13 years late?’ I don’t know, it happens a day at a time.

But that’s still a priority. A lot of people are already writing obituaries for me. [They’re saying] ‘Oh, he’ll never be finished.’ Maybe they’re right. I don’t know. I’m alive right now! I seem pretty vital!

What Winds Of Winter’s Continuing Delay Means For The Game Of Thrones Franchise

Warner Bros. Are Still Forging Ahead With Their Own Plans For Westeros

While HBO’s adaptation of Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire novels contained more than its fair share of deviations from the source material, the majority of its run was still hailed as an exemplar of long-form storytelling. Buoyed by ceaseless political machinations, compelling characters, and a willingness to kill off even the most important figures, Game of Thrones remains the benchmark against which so many other fantasy shows are measured.

However, as the show eventually overtook the available source material and was ultimately forced to determine its own ending, many fans noted a serious decline in the show’s storytelling. Yet, while Martin is yet to deliver his own ending, HBO is still firmly in the business of building on the author’s fictional world. With House of the Dragon season 3 just the tip of the various Game of Thrones spinoffs being planned, it seems that audiences may still inadvertently benefit from The Winds of Winter’s ongoing delay.

Our Take On Drawing Out Martin’s Own Game of Thrones Ending

Martin’s Conclusion May Clash With Warner Bros.’ Plans

Given the response to the way the Game of Thrones show handled its own ending, many fans would be keen to see Martin deliver an alternate conclusion. However, considering the effort that is currently being put into further expanding the world of Westeros on the screen, it is possible that a contradictory ending to Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire books would only serve to detract from those plans.

Especially given that Warner Bros. have also revealed their interest in developing a Game of Thrones movie, it may be necessary to at least maintain the continuity established by the show until that project’s eventual release. While this may add even more time to The Winds of Winter’s already considerable delay, it would also have the added benefit of ensuring audiences are not distracted from the next chapter in the franchise’s evolving, onscreen tale.