LogFAQs > #985244996

I think the last book dropped during season 2 of the show(?) or around there. Since then the franchise has exploded in popularity and the TV show had an overwhelmingly disappointing ending that was probably wasn't that different from GRRM's plans, they've started a spin off TV show that's still popular, and 2-5 additional spin offs still teased and somewhat expected to release. That's a huge amount of pressure for someone who was already known for constantly missing deadlines.

GRRM has also said he likes to write the characters without a lot of plot thought - "tending a garden" or whatever it was and letting the characters do whatever they'd be doing naturally. But it's also super unnatural to push everyone into the centre role for a big climax. So all that's really left for him to do is the exact thing he doesn't like to write, with a ton of pressure that he has to reach what are, at this point, completely unobtainable standards.

I'd frankly be surprised if he ever put out Winds of Winter, even if he does actually really want to. I kind of get it - I'd hate to be in this situation.