“You guys don’t have to pester me about it”: George R.R. Martin Had Enough of the Never Ending Demands From Game of Thrones

It’s been more than ten years since the last installment of A Song of Ice and Fire hit the shelves. Fans are eagerly awaiting the next book, The Winds of Winter. George R.R. Martin is still diligently working on it, but constantly pestering him about when it’ll be finished might not be the most helpful approach.

It’s understandable, because for many, The Winds of Winter is the holy grail. They are craving for the answers it could bring, especially after the mixed feelings about the Game of Thrones ending, which ended on a sour note.

The rushed final season left viewers confused and frustrated, a sentiment Martin totally gets. He has openly admitted that he’s running late with the book and asked fans to ease up on the constant questioning.

George R.R. Martin Fed Up with Game of Thrones Demands

Last year, u/tell32 shared a clip on Reddit‘s r/asoiaf (via Esquire) featuring George R.R. Martin and Cassandra Clare. In the clip, Martin acknowledged the long 12-year gap between books and recognized that readers are eagerly awaiting The Winds of Winter. He stated:

“I’m 12 years late with Winds of Winter, as we know. I’m just going to put it right out there: you guys don’t have to pester me about it.”

Writing a world as rich as Westeros takes time. Martin has put so much care into crafting five novels already. Imagine the stress of keeping that story going while everyone keeps asking, ‘When’s the next book?’ messages. For this, the simple answer is: Creativity can’t be rushed. Though it’s a valid concern. Waiting 12 years since the last book is a long time. But it’s hard to believe that the Bayonne native would just give up on such a huge project. He has reportedly completed 75% of the manuscript (via The Late Show with Stephen Colbert).

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However, even if he finishes the rest tomorrow, getting the book ready for publication takes time. There’s editing, printing, and all those little details that Martin is famous for, so it’s still a bit of a wait even after he’s done writing.

George R.R. Martin’s Creative Process Requires Patience From Fans

First off, writing a book takes a lot of time, especially a complex one like George R.R. Martin’s. He wants to make sure it’s just right before he shares it with the world. Plus, he’s got other projects and commitments to juggle too.

Predicting when The Winds of Winter will be out is tough. The 75-year-old himself hasn’t given a definite date. Some folks estimate it could still be a couple of years away. But remember, good things often take time!

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As hard as it is to wait, bothering Martin won’t speed things up. Respect the creative process and trust that he will deliver the book when he’s ready. In the meantime, there’s a wealth of Westeros content to explore, like House of the Dragon to the vast online fan communities.