George R.R. Martin promises progress on The Winds of Winter

In the United States, best-selling author George R.R. Martin has been under scrutiny from fans regarding the long-awaited release of his next novel, The Winds of Winter. Since he began working on this sixth book in the A Song of Ice and Fire series in 2010, there has often been frustration about its delays. Fans have expressed their concerns, feeling that Martin has abandoned the series while he pursues other projects. Martin, recognizing the dissatisfaction, assures readers that he remains committed to the series and its characters, despite also being busy with adaptations and other writings. In a candid post on his website, Martin addressed the backlash he receives whenever he announces projects unrelated to The Winds of Winter. He stated that while he understands fans are anxious for the book's release, he does care about the characters and the legacy of Westeros. The series has a significant following, with the first book, A Game of Thrones, having been published in 1996 and the fifth book, A Dance with Dragons, released in 2011. Moreover, he commented on his writing difficulties, admitting that distractions related to his projects, like his roles as an executive producer for the television adaptations and other endeavors, have hindered his progress. He also expressed his frustration and melancholy regarding the writing process, indicating that the book is a complex project that he wants to get right. In his latest updates, Martin reveals he is about three-quarters of the way through writing the novel and describes it as potentially larger than any previous installment. Martin's engagement with fans has become multifaceted, entailing both an acknowledgment of their eagerness for the book and a defense of his other work, including editing the Wild Cards series and producing creative adaptations. While he highlights his commitment to The Winds of Winter, the ongoing challenges of meeting fan expectations linger as a backdrop to his creative process.