George R.R. Martin: “I am not writing anything until I deliver WINDS OF WINTER”

George R.R. Martin has renewed his commitment to finishing The Winds of Winter, the sixth book in his A Song of Ice and Fire series. Check out this recent exchange from his Not a Blog:

"Q: “Hello, Mr. Martin! Sorry for the off-topic question, but will you be writing an episode for Season 7 of Game of Thrones?”A: “I am not writing anything until I deliver WINDS OF WINTER. Teleplays, screenplays, short stories, introductions, forewords, nothing.And I’ve dropped all my editing projects but Wild Cards.”"

Last week, Martin said that he wouldn’t pick up an honorary degree from Texas A&M University “till WINDS is done.” It seems that he’s well and truly buckling down. Also, while his response above implies that he’s not going to write a script for Game of Thrones Season 7, it doesn’t foreclose the possibility. After all, it’s possible that he’ll finish The Winds of Winter before it comes time to write scripts for Season 7.

Later in that same Not a Blog post, which is about how he’ll be showing USA’s Colony at his Jean Cocteau Cinema, he makes what could be a sly jab at Game of Thrones, although there’s room for interpretation. Judge for yourself:

"Q: “[W]hat were your thoughts about the first season of “The Expanse” on SyFy? I thought it was really well done, but I haven’t read the books yet.”A: “Loved it.But you should read the books……The show is good, but the books are better.(The books are always better)”"

“The books are always better.” Take that as you will.

Finally, in other George R.R. Martin news, the author will be holding a Q&A session at the Jean Cocteau alongside Ryan Condal, the co-creator of Colony. IGN will be live-periscoping the event, which happens tomorrow, Thursday, February 18. IGN is soliciting questions from fans.

“February 16” is a typo. It’s happening on the 18th. Also, I’m pretty sure “Cocteau” isn’t pronounced “Cock-a-too,” but never mind. Feel free to submit your questions!