George R.R. Martin told readers of his blog he will skip San Diego Comic-Con in July and World Fantasy Con in November to work on Winds of Winter, though with this caveat —
(Should I complete and deliver WINDS OF WINTER before these cons roll round, I reserve the right to change my mind).
The Wall Street Journal excitedly interpreted that as a hint:
This means that in Martin’s view, finishing “The Winds of Winter” this year is a real possibility, a significant revelation coming from the author himself.
The WSJ blogger sounds overearger to me. I doubt Martin would be cancelling a November appearance if he was so close to finishing that his reserving the right to change his mind about attending Comic-Con really meant anything.
Somehow this reminds me of an early episode of “Cheers.”
Coach, the old bartender is leaving for home. “I think this may be the weekend I finish my novel,” he says. “I’ve been working on it for years.”
Diane the barmaid exclaims, “Coach! I had no Idea you were writing a novel!”
“Writing?” Coach replies. “I’m reading!”