Takiedevushkikakzvezdy

On the other hand, it might be him sugarcoating it.

We know that he rewrites a lot, so that could be the issue as well.

The story as outlined in the 1993 pitch letter. would definitely be much less interesting.

Not really. I mean, we've had Mormont's talking raven since AGoT, which may or may not be Bloodraven.

But how did an early draft end up getting published? Did GRRM submit it for publication before changing his mind?

I know that he doesn't want to split it like he did with AFFC/ADWD, but at this point I would prefer that over nothing.

That's how I interpreted this quote, at least.

I think he said a few years ago that the themes in the story were as relevant in 1351 as they were in 2014. So I think he went for something more timeless.

Overall, I think he knew that she ran off with Rhaegar, but was in denial the whole time.

If forced isolation can't speed up his writing, then nothing can.

Bending the knee to Robert and Ned?

How many even knew that the Kingsguard were at the TOJ?

Does that mean that he has several accounts on this forum?

I guess it depends on how far he's willing to go in order to stay anonymous.

This sounds alarmingly plausible.

I agree with that, on principle. I also think that it's a good thing that there is a gap between book releases, as it gives us time for our amazing discussions, without which I wouldn't be here. But it is also true that GRRM doesn't have all the time in the world to finish the books. So something has to give.

In theory, he can have one without your knowledge.

The inclusion of "Vic" (i.e., Victarion Greyjoy) was especially eyebrow-raising because most theorists expect him to die early on in TWOW. Surely George has completed at least the first half of TWOW after all of this time, and so why in the world would he be working on a Victarion chapter? The answer, I believe, is that George has completed a full draft of the manuscript and is now circling back to earlier chapters in the novel in order to do a final round of editing. Interesting take. I'm not sure what to think of it, but I want to believe.

He said that he won't let anyone else finish the series. My question is whether the material he has already written will be released in some form should the worst happen.

When does GRRM have to finish the book for it to be released around Christmas? September-October?

I don't think it matters very much, since ASOIAF is practically one giant book anyway.

So it wasn't one of GRRM's editors?

But if GRRM practically started from scratch in 2016 and didn't really kick into high gear until November 2018 (!), there is no way for the book to be released any time soon. On the other hand, he did believe that he could finish it before Worldcon this year, so those rumors might be exaggerated. I don't really know what to believe.

But doesn't GRRM usually just rewrite chapters he isn't happy with over and over? As far as I know, he has never scrapped tons of finished material before, for any of the books.

I'm sorry if it has been discussed here already, but this is news to me. @Werthead have you heard anything about this?