The long-awaited sixth book in George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series, The Winds of Winter, has been in progress for over a decade. While fans eagerly await its release, Martin recently became the subject of a light-hearted online joke. The cause? A photo of Martin with real-life direwolves—an extinct species brought back through biotechnology. Some fans joked, “We got real direwolves before The Winds of Winter,” prompting Martin to address the comments in a recent interview with Time.
Martin’s Frustration with the Delay
In the interview, Martin acknowledged the joke but also expressed frustration with the ongoing pressure over the book’s delay. He admitted that The Winds of Winter is “13 years late,” calling the book “the curse of my life.” Despite the delay, Martin reassured fans that he is still working on the book, though he noted that other responsibilities often divert his attention. “Other things divert my attention, and suddenly I have a deadline for one of the HBO shows,” he explained.
Martin Defends His Non-Writing Activities
The author also addressed criticism about his involvement in activities unrelated to writing, such as opening a bookstore and renovating a film theater. Martin made it clear that these projects do not significantly interfere with his writing. “I swear, I opened a bookstore and people say, ‘Why is George R.R. Martin opening a bookstore when he should be writing The Winds of Winter?’” he said. “I don’t actually work in the bookstore, you know.”
Regarding the photo with the direwolves, Martin further clarified that it did not impact his writing progress. “The trip was probably like four days,” he said. “I flew down to Dallas, we took the tour, and then we ate some barbecue. It did not seriously impinge on the writing of The Winds of Winter.” He emphasized that, contrary to what some fans believe, his involvement in such activities does not mean he is neglecting his work on the book. “People make it seem—my more fanatic fans—as if it’s one or the other, and it’s not,” Martin concluded.
