Now that "Game of Thrones" Season 4 had come to an end and spoilers for season 5 have been revealed, fans of the books and show are still asking when 'Winds of Winter' will be released? Everyone's worried that George R.R. Martin might not finish the new book on time, as it seems like the HBO show is catching up quickly.
At the San Diego Comic-Con, Martin himself answered questions about the book he is currently working on as well as his involvement in the season 5 of "Game of Thrones."
In an interview with Vulture, Martin was asked if there are other shooting locations that he will visit with the addition of Spain as Dorne. "I don't know. I might make it over there early next year, but I've got to finish the book The Winds of Winter. So I'm making the trips I'm already obligated to make, but I'm not adding any new trips at this time. So I don't think I'm going to do a set visit this year, sadly," Martin answered.
Knowing that Martin has written one episode per season, he was asked if he would be writing one for season 5. He answered, "Not this year, no—once again because I have to finish the book." That's a clear answer that Martin will have his hands tied on finishing "Winds of Winter."
When asked about him saying that his reputation for killing major characters was too harsh, he said, "David and Dan are worse than I am because there are more characters every episode who are still alive in the books who are dead in the TV show."
Vulture continued to ask if Martin was in favor of flashbacks. He answered, "You know, flashbacks are a tricky device to use. I'm certainly in favor of exploring the backstory and the history, [but] I'm not sure that flashbacks are the best way to do them. But maybe. We have a pseudo-flashback device built in."
"Then you know that Bran is merging with the Weirwood and time and space is bending to his will, and he can see things from past epochs. That may the device rather than a conventional flashback — but again, that's really something David and Dan have to wrestle with. My stress is still the books," he added.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Martin practically said the same thing when asked if he will be writing an episode in the new season. "I'm not actually writing an episode for season five. I have this book that I have to finish. I figured I'd better write the book rather than the episode," said the author.
Fans might be disappointed that Martin isn't writing an episode. However, if it's allowing him to focus on the sixth book "Winds of Winter," then it's really not a bad trade-off. Meanwhile, there's still no confirmed release date for the book. Hopefully, news of the release will come soon once Martin has penned more of the book.
