Yes, I am aware that more than a year has passed since my last update. A lot of you have been emailing me to point that out. Thanks, but really, I did know. Unlike many of you out there, I got my copies of the Song of Ice & Fire calendar, so I knew what date it was.
No, I'm not planning to update the update, for reasons stated in the update itself. Until such time as I can write, "It's done," it will remain the last update... aside from what I may say here from time to time, on my Not-A-Blog.
I made a lot of progress on the book in the first half of 2008. So much so that I was optimistic that I would be done by the end of the year. Unfortunately, I did not make much progress on the book in the second half of 2008. Indeed, I made some regress. (That Sansa chapter I talked about finishing, for instance. It's still finished, but my editor and I decided it belongs in THE WINDS OF WINTER, not A DANCE WITH DRAGONS, so it's been moved into the next book. Sansa will not appear in DANCE.)
Some of the reasons were literary, arising from problems in the narrative itself. I'm not going to discuss them here, because I really do not like talking about questions I am still wrestling with on a work in progress. It never helps. Art is not a democracy, and these are problems I need to solve myself. Having a few hundred readers weigh in with their thoughts and opinions -- which seems to be what happens whenever I post here about DWD -- does not advance the process. I'm sorry, but that's true. I know that many of you would like to help me, but you can't. I have editors and I have two capable assistants, and that's sufficient. I'm the only one who can dance this dance.
Some of other reasons for the delay have nothing to do with the book itself. They're extra-literary, arising from other things in my life. I could sketch out some of them here, sure, but what good would it do? Those who are inclined to understand would send me messages of sympathy and support. Those are not so inclined would dismiss them as "excuses," or even "feeble excuses." A few will even go so far as to accuse me of lying.
That's the part that really bothers me. For the record, I have never lied about anything having to do with A DANCE WITH DRAGONS or the series as a whole. I have been wrong, yes. I have been wrong lots of time, especially when I've tried to predict how long it will take me to complete the book, or when it will be published. Being wrong is not the same as lying. Since the very beginning of this series, I have been guilty of being over-optimistic about how long it would take me to finish the next book, the next chapter, or the series as a whole. I cannot deny that. I have always been bad with deadlines... one reason why I did my best to avoid them for the first fifteen years of my career. That's an option I no longer have, however. Or at least will not have until A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE is complete.
That's the main reason why I no longer want to give any completion dates. I am sick and tired of people jumping down my throat when I miss them.
This latest flood of emails has worn down my resolve, however. So in hopes of quieting it, once more I will step into the breach --
I am trying to finish the book by June. I think I can do that. If I do, A DANCE WITH DRAGONS will likely be published in September or October.
(Yes, I am aware that I have previously said that I hoped to finish by the end of 2008. And before that, I said that I hoped to finish by June 2008, before I went to Spain and Portugal. And before that, I said I hoped to finish by the end of 2007. I know, I know, I know. No, I was not lying. I was wrong. And wrong again. And wrong before that. This time I hope that I am right. But you know, I can't swear that in blood. I write one chapter at a time. One page at a time. One word at a time. And then the next.)
That's all I have. But it's more than Amazon has, or anyone else.
The INSTANT that I finish the novel and put it in the mail to Bantam, I will post that fact here, just as I did for SUICIDE KINGS a few days ago. Until and unless you read that announcement here, believe nothing you hear from any other source.
Thanks for your continued support... and for your patience.
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Comments
I remain waiting patiently.
Dont let the haters get you down George. Santa Claus is fat and 60 something and he's doing alright for himself isnt he?! If I got comments like that I'd nearly scrap the whole Ice and Fire thing altogether... Here's hoping you don't though!!
Keep on truckin'
I work for a gaming company that has risen to being the most popular developer in the world by virtue of sticking to that philosophy. It worked for them and it worked for all the great work you brought us before today, so why change it?
I'd be willing to wait for a very very long time for your next book. The quality of your writing, depth of your characters and the compelling twists and turns make it worth it :)
Ignore the hate and know there are others out there who are patiently waiting. Besides, in the meantime you can reread the series, or *cough* experience other authors' works!
As for the detractors who don't want you watching football, do they not understand that the majority of your work takes place in the mind, while the body is occupied doing other stuff? Eff them.
I may not wait patiently (patience has never been my strong point), but I will wait supportively and eagerly.
Thank you for talking with and listening to your readers, even if some need to learn to wait more politely.
My husband won't even start the series till he has all the books in hand. I have repeatedly told him he's crazy!
So. You are human. Live your life and earn your bread. I want the next installment as much as anyone and more than most, but not at the cost of trying to turn another entity into a slave for my amusement. When the book is done, I'll be happy. Until then, be well and enjoy life, as we are all meant to do.
Thanks,
Kim
And for fuck's sake, of course you're allowed to have a life outside of writing. It's your JOB for crying out loud! It must be immensely frustrating for you :(
Okay George. We get it. Well, maybe some of us don't. I won't apologize for those who are mean or spiteful, but neither will I be either of those. You've been very successful, and that's a good thing. You've earned the success. I think the biggest problem I have is not that it's taking a long time to finish Dance, but that it's not been worked on much. You've mentioned how difficult it is to put together the mosaic novels, and yet as difficult as that is you've put out three since the last "Ice and Fire" book, even though half of the next book was already written. I think Wildcards is cool. I liked Hunter's Run. I like Tuf, loved Dreamsongs, and think it's good for you to merchandise in areas you are interested in. I'm glad you travel and enjoy your success with others in your field at various cons etc... I just wonder what would happen if Dance was your primary focus every working day for just a few months. I really think most people just want you to work on it. We understand you're not fast, and that this complicated work takes time. It's just hard to celebrate so many other accomplishments when we're waiting on you to "Dance" with the one that brought you. Thanks for the update.
Take your time, personally, I'd rather have a masterpiece that took four years to complete then a hack work that took one. Also, I've always assumed you were in semi-retirement so I always thought you were just taking your time enjoying your golden years and what not.
Keep up the amazing work, your series has captured my imagination, and as a reader and fan, you have my full support!!
- Hywel
A) that you're human. And have interests and projects just like they do.
B) that the only thing worse than waiting for the next book, is finishing aforementioned book and having to wait for the NEXT next one....
C) that there are "a few" other books in the world and maybe they should read some of them while they wait. Some of them aren't bad AND they have dragons in them.
But yeah, you do what you gotta do.
There's already a book series for people who care more about getting the next book than about the quality of that book. It's called Twilight.
I would much rather see you die of old age 50 years from now with the series unfinished than see the entire series ruined by a half-assed attempt to just get it done. Having any of the yet-unwritten books be anything less than they should be would be much more a tragedy than if it were never finished at all.
Good luck! and more importantly
Happy writing!
Take your time, have fun.
And it's a shame that this forum often turns into a place where annoying fans howl at all the delays. I think it's awesome that you've got a journal, post in it, check it, and read and reply to comments. I'm sure it's impossible to tune out the jerks, but for every one of them, rest assured, there are several fans more than willing to wait.
Edited at 2009-02-21 04:38 pm (UTC)
Oh and critics, I know you're stalking 'Not A Blog,' and I want to tell you that my analogy is DEAD ON. Just because you rationalize your argument with an adult brain, doesn't mean you aren't being childish.
There is a very good defense of George linked at Westoros under the sites topic of when the book will be done, or nontopic rather. In it a well connected blogger points out the style in which George writes and how many times he has to throw out and rewrite. I must say if I wrote like that I'd drive myself insane long ago. Way to stay sentient George. :) As I see it, and the way the blogger sees it, all the side stuff are good ways to keep his writing from scrambling his brains. So as for that I say, yes its ok if you take a leak and if you wanna take a little break to give your mind a breather thats ok too. Though as a small favor it would be appreciated if perhaps you could have someone make you a little site specifically for selling stuff as while I am interesting in buying some of your stuff I never could bring myself to enjoy advertisements I wasn't specifically looking for. To conclude thanks a bunch for the many gifts your writing have brought me and others and keep on keeping on my brother. :) ~Christian