George RR Martin Says He's Safe, Healthy & Writing The Winds of Winter

Author George RR Martin gave fans an update on how things are coming along with writing The Winds of Winter, the next book in his hit fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire that inspired the juggernaut TV series Game of Thrones. After sharing details on what will be happening with his various businesses and events in light of the coronavirus pandemic in a blog post titled “Strange Days,” Martin assured fans that he’s taking all appropriate measures to ensure he remains safe and healthy. “For those of you who may be concerned for me personally… yes, I am aware that I am very much in the most vulnerable population, given my age and physical condition,” Martin wrote. The author is age 71. The CDC says that older adults are especially at risk because the virus has a higher chance of affecting them in a serious way. “But I feel fine at the moment, and we are taking all sensible precautions. I am off by myself in a remote isolated location, attended by one of my staff, and I’m not going in to town or seeing anyone.” Martin shared that in his isolation he’s been able to consistently spend time working on the next novel in the Song of Ice and Fire saga. “Truth be told, I am spending more time in Westeros than in the real world, writing every day. Things are pretty grim in the Seven Kingdoms… but maybe not as grim as they may become here,” he wrote. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=how-game-of-thrones-main-characters-looks-have-changed-over-the-seasons&captions=true"] Martin also informed fans that his interactive art exhibit Meow Wolf, local movie theater Jean Cocteau Cinema, and non-profit arts class the Stagecoach Foundation (all located in Santa Fe, New Mexico) will all be closed until further notice. His bookstore Beastly Books will remain open for the time being with new health and safety practices implemented. The previous novel in Martin’s hit series, A Dance with Dragons, was published in 2011, so fans have been waiting a long time for the release of The Winds of Winter, and there is one more planned novel still to be written and released after that, A Dream of Spring. To finish off his blog post, Martin shared a hand-washing guide set to a quote from Frank Herbert's Dune. Check out IGN’s safety guide for COVID-19 here. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Joshua is Senior Features Editor at IGN. If Pokemon, Green Lantern, or Game of Thrones are frequently used words in your vocabulary, you’ll want to follow him on Twitter @JoshuaYehl and IGN.