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Edith Nash asked this question about A Dream of Spring (A Song of Ice and Fire, #7):
George, If you die before you finish this series - will you please appoint someone to finish it for you? Mayhaps, you need to hire a ghost writer, give them your notes, outlines, etc., and let them write it for you while you are busy with other things.
Heather As an author and a reader, I'm torn on how to answer this. I have noticed in my capacity as both that authors tend to write three different types of s…moreAs an author and a reader, I'm torn on how to answer this. I have noticed in my capacity as both that authors tend to write three different types of series: Series that can go on forever (ie Anita Blake, Alex Cross etc.) Series that have a planned arc or ending (ie Harry Potter) and series that were never intended to be series (ie Jurassic Park/Lost World, The Shining/Doctor Sleep)

Depending on how Martin went into this series depends what happens next. If he does have a planned arc, he could ruin things by rushing it. I think we're all thinking of the TV show right now. So he can take his time and write forever and he's still doing what we expect him to do.

That being said...I don't think it's a bad idea for ANY author to keep notes on a series they aren't finished with, especially if they have a particular way they want the book/series to finish. With this virus and the craziness that is surrounding it and other diseases like it, there is no guarantee that any author will make it to the next novel. Stephen King could get hit by a car (again) and we'll never know what he was going to write next unless someone takes over. I'm not advocating the James Patterson method, which seems to be 'many hands make light work' but if all Martin were interested in was pumping out decent books, he could work with his share of writers and they would be lining up to get his name on their books.

Since that is the route Martin chose, I think we all need to be patient and hope that either he doesn't die before the last book gets written or he leaves instructions in his estate. In the end, it's all on him and while he does owe his fans something, what we want and what we get are not for us to determine. (less)
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A Dream of Spring
by George R.R. Martin
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