As HBO prepares to launch A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, author George R.R. Martin has once again stepped into the spotlight to address the question that has dogged him for over a decade: What is the status of The Winds of Winter?.
In a recent profile by The Hollywood Reporter, Martin shared candid insights into his writing process, his frustrations with the “ruthless passage of time,” and his definitive stance on whether another author would ever be allowed to complete his magnum opus.
The Current Status: 1,100 Pages and Counting
For fans hoping for a massive leap in page count, the news is mixed. Martin revealed to The Hollywood Reporter that he currently has 1,100 pages written for the next A Song of Ice and Fire installment.
While this is a substantial amount of text, it is notably the same number he cited in both 2022 and 2023. However, this stagnation in the total count doesn’t mean work hasn’t been done. Martin explained that the content of those pages has shifted as he rigorously edits and rewrites.
Martin described his perfectionist process: “I will open the last chapter I was working on and I’ll say, ‘Oh fuck, this is not very good.’ And I’ll go in and I’ll rewrite it”. He noted that if a specific character’s perspective, such as Tyrion Lannister, isn’t flowing, he will switch to another character like Jon Snow to maintain momentum.
The Struggle with “Second-Guessing”
Even during periods of isolation, such as the pandemic when Martin retreated to a cabin for focused writing, progress has been slow. While that time resulted in “lots of new material,” it also led to significant second-guessing.
Martin shared a specific example of this struggle involving a Tyrion chapter he initially loved but ultimately scrapped. “I looked at it and said: ‘I can’t do this, it will change the whole book. I’ll make this into a series of dreams. No! That doesn’t work either …’” he recalled.
Refusing Ghostwriters: A “Total Failure”
Martin also addressed a controversial moment from last year’s WorldCon, where a fan asked if he would allow another author to finish the series given his advancing age (Martin is 77). Martin remains deeply insulted by the suggestion, stating, “I really didn’t need that shit. Nobody needs that shit”.
He made his stance explicitly clear: he will not engage another writer to finish the book. For Martin, giving up on The Winds of Winter is not an option. “It would feel like a total failure to me. I want to finish,” he said.
The “Edwin Drood” Scenario
When pressed on the grim possibility of dying or becoming incapacitated before the story is complete, Martin offered a stark reality check. If he cannot finish the book, “My work won’t be finished”.
He compared this potential outcome to Charles Dickens’ final, unfinished novel, stating, “It’ll be like The Mystery of Edwin Drood“.
A New Chapter on HBO
While the wait for the book continues, fans can return to Westeros on screen. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is set to premiere on January 18 on HBO and HBO Max. The new series has Martin excited, providing a fresh entry point into his world while the work on the literary saga continues.
