(Image Source: THR, HBO)
George R.R. Martin, the acclaimed author of "Game of Thrones," has famously delayed the sixth novel in the series, "The Winds of Winter," for years, a long-standing topic of fan discussion and frustration, even after the HBO series concluded. Martin, however, has no intention of abandoning the project. He recently told The Hollywood Reporter (THR), "I hate to give up on it. I feel like that would be a complete failure on my part. I want to finish it!"
(Image Source: THR)
Martin also stated he doesn't want to hand the book over to another writer, yet conceded he's grown weary of penning "Game of Thrones." He recounted an encounter with "Dune" author Frank Herbert at a book convention in 1975. Herbert had told Martin that his publisher offered him a small advance to write a story of his choosing, or six times that amount to write another "Dune" novel, despite Herbert's reluctance to continue the series.
(Image Source: THR)
Martin recalled, "He didn't like 'Dune' anymore, and he didn't want to write any more 'Dune' novels. But he felt trapped by the success of 'Dune,' so he just kept writing them." Martin then admitted his own mindset is somewhat similar to Herbert's at the time: "It's not that I'm tired of the world of 'Game of Thrones,' I love the world and its world-building, but yes, I am tired of writing it."
Regarding how different "The Winds of Winter" will be from the show's conclusion, Martin teased, "I was going to kill off more characters, not just the ones killed in the show. They made the ending happier, but I don't think Tyrion will have a happy ending; his storyline has been tragic from the start. I was going to kill Sansa, but she was so beloved in the show, maybe I'll let her live..."