While fans are getting really anxious to hear when will be the release date of "Winds of Winter," George R.R. Martin admits that he's already feeling the pressure.
Upon visiting New York Jets training camp, the highly acclaimed author said that he's clearing his schedule just to make sure that he'll be able to deliver the novel.
"I can write one script per season if I choose to, and I did for the first four seasons, I scripted one episode every season," he told Ferguson. "So the last two seasons I have not done that, simply because I am too busy with the book."
As opposed to "Game of Thrones," where there are a lot of writers and producers to make an episode, George R. R. Martin finds himself alone to finish his latest opus.
And while he's pushing himself to work on "Winds of Winter" release date, George R.R. Martin could not help but compare the novel's development as opposed to the hit HBO series, "Game of Thrones."
"There are a lot of people working on the TV show, a lot of very talented people. But I am the only one that can do the books," he added.
He further explained that while the novel and the TV series are connected, fans should understand that they are two different versions.
"You have to separate the two," he explained. "You have to realize they have similarities but they are two different mediums, they are two different versions of the same story."
George R. R. Martin continued explaining how fans should understand the changes within the book and the novel.
"I know some of my readers get very obsessed about any changes, but there have to be changes simply because of transition. The books are 1,500 pages long in manuscript."
"We would still be in the first season if we were doing literally every scene and every page of dialogue and every character. You have to cut things, combine things, try to streamline things, make difficult choices. People should realize that."
And while the book has relatively delayed its release date, George R.R. Martin promised fans that "Winds of Winter" will definitely have "great twists."
"This is going to drive your readers crazy but I love it. I'm still weighing whether to go that direction or not. It's a great twist," he said in an interview with Entertainment Weekly.
The author continued saying, "It's easy to do things that are shocking or unexpected, but they have to grow out of characters. They have to grow out of situations."
"Otherwise, it's just being shocking for being shocking. But this is something that seems very organic and natural, and I could see how it would happen. And with the various three, four characters involved... it all makes sense."
It's been said that George R.R. Martin will most likely announce the "Winds of Winter" release date prior to "Game of Thrones" season 6 premiere in April next year.
