George RR Martin Fan Suggests Ending 'ASOIAF' With 'The Winds of Winter', Focus Career on 'Dunk and Egg'

For years, the global fantasy fandom of George RR Martin's hit book series 'A Song of Ice and Fire' has lived in a state of suspended animation, waiting for its sixth book, 'The Winds of Winter', which often feels more like a myth than a manuscript. As the years transform into decades, the optimism that once defined the 'ASOIAF' community is curdling into a stark, pragmatic realism.

The global fantasy fandom surrounding George RR Martin's hit book series, 'A Song of Ice and Fire', has lived in a state of suspended animation for years, waiting for its sixth instalment, 'The Winds of Winter', which often feels more like a myth than a manuscript. As years stretch into decades, the optimism that once defined the 'ASOIAF' community is hardening into a stark, pragmatic realism.

Some long-term readers are now proposing a radical solution to the author's legendary writer's block: stop trying to finish the impossible. One suggestion is to wrap up 'ASOIAF' by delivering 'TWOW', because Martin is unlikely to complete the last book, 'A Dream of Spring', given the slow progress on 'TWOW'.

'Just Wrap Up The Winds Of Winter'

Reddit user @Worldly-Set4235 weighed in on the future of GRRM's 'A Song of Ice and Fire' series. While they are among the fans who still want Martin to deliver the two remaining books, they have accepted the fact that it is unlikely to happen, especially because the series has become 'massive and complicated'.

Additionally, Martin is involved in multiple other projects, keeping his attention away from the anticipated book that fans have been waiting for 15 years. So, the fan suggests that Martin wrap up the series with 'The Winds of Winter' and devote his remaining years to his other successful project, the novel series 'Dunk and Egg'.

'If he can just wrap up The Winds of Winter to a decently satisfying stopping point (Maybe even just stopping where he is now), then perhaps the healthiest path forward would be to set aside the impossible task of finishing the entire main saga and spend the rest of his writing career focusing on Dunk and Egg,' the Reddit user wrote.

According to Martin's fan, the narrative in 'Dunk and Egg' is 'manageable' and his supporters love and enjoy it. 'If the choice ultimately comes down to an unfinished main series with nothing else, or a world where we get a far greater amount of material via the Dunk and Egg adventures (possibly even the full cycle), I suspect many readers would gladly take the latter (myself included),' they concluded.

The argument is rooted in the belief that it is already impossible for Martin to finish the main series. By narrowing his focus, he could produce completed works rather than languishing under the weight of a seven-book epic. For the fan, a finished set of novellas is a far more attractive prospect than an unfinished, sprawling masterpiece that leaves every major character in limbo.

Other Fans Still Cling To The 'ASOIAF' Endgame

The reaction to the original post on Reddit has been a mix of weary agreement and desperate alternatives. Many fans have already accepted the possibility that the series will remain incomplete, but others still cannot let go of 'The Winds of Winter' and 'A Dream of Spring'.

While some supporters find the idea of focusing on Dunk and Egg refreshing, others have suggested that Martin should finally consider a co-writer or a ghostwriter to finish the two remaining books for 'A Song of Ice and Fire'.

However, Martin has historically been very clear about his stance on others finishing his work. He has previously stated that the book would remain unfinished in the event of his death, famously remarking that he does not want other writers to work on his masterpiece.

15 Years Of Waiting Erode Fan Sympathy For GRRM

The patience of the 'A Song of Ice and Fire' community is not just thin; for many, it has completely snapped. It has been nearly 15 years since the release of A Dance with Dragons, and the lack of concrete updates has turned devotion into resentment. Many readers no longer feel sympathy for the pressure Martin faces, arguing that his various side projects have served as a distraction from his primary obligation to his readers.

Critics point out that while the main series remains stalled, Martin has found time for Fire & Blood, various television developments and historical world-building. This perceived lack of focus is often cited as the primary reason for the fandom's increasingly hostile tone.

Martin, for his part, previously said he could relate to 'Dune' author Frank Herbert, whose fans pressured him to deliver more from the series despite having written other 'great books' like 'Under Pressure' and 'Santaroga Barrier'.

'We want our other children to get some attention, too,' Martin told Collider, seemingly explaining why he does other projects instead of focusing on the two remaining 'ASOIAF' books.

Ultimately, the suggestion to scrap the final book is more than just a writing strategy; it is a plea for closure in any form. Whether Martin chooses to listen to these pragmatic suggestions remains to be seen. For a generation of readers who grew up with the Starks and Lannisters, the real 'Long Night' has turned out to be the wait for the final page.