'Winds of Winter' Release Date: George RR Martin Talks Writing Pace, Teases 'Bittersweet' Ending; Show Won't 'Change What The Books Are' Says Author [Report]

The hype about the anticipated sixth installment of the popular book series, "A Song of Ice and Fire" is growing intense. However, no matter how fans make noise for George RR Martin to release the highly-awaited novel "The Winds of Winter," no official release date has been announced yet at the moment.

The popular HBO hit series "Game of Thrones" was inspired from Martin's book series. The TV series will return in Spring for its sixth season. However, "The Winds of Winter" is still not out after four years since the series' last installment "A Dance with Dragons" was released.

Among the things fans are looking forward to the upcoming book is Jon Snow's fate. The crowd-favorite character was stabbed to death in the last book and in "Game of Thrones" season 5. Many are hoping that the well-loved character is still alive. However, it might still take time until Snow's destiny will be revealed because the New-Mexican author is writing on his own pace and nothing can make him write "The Winds of Winter" faster.

"I've been hearing them come up behind me for years, and the question is, How can I make myself write faster? I think, by now, the answer is, I can't," the 67-year-old author said during his Northwestern Talk on Wednesday, Vulture reported. "I write at the pace I write, and what the show is doing is not going to change what the books are."

Martin stressed that he started the book in 1991 but had his first meeting about adapting his book in the TV screens on 2008. The celebrity author cited that he got a 17-year head start. Although the book and the TV series will be heading in either different or the same direction since it has already used the materials in the books, Martin has an idea how "Game of Thrones" will end. However, he remains coy in sharing the facts. "I think you need to have some hope," he just said.

Although, Martin is careful in sharing the details, he hinted about its ending. "We all yearn for happy endings in a sense. Myself, I'm attracted to the bittersweet ending. People ask me how Game of Thrones is gonna end, and I'm not gonna tell them ... but I always say to expect something bittersweet in the end, like [J.R.R. Tolkien]," he said.

Meanwhile, Inquisitr has learned that Martin announced the release of the official "Game of Thrones" coloring book.

Unfortunately, even if fans were given access to a free illustration of the coloring book, some are still hoping to hear updates about "The Winds of Winter" instead. One user even wrote, "ah yes a #GoTcoloringbook, exactly what we need!!! in my 13 yr old squeaky yelling voice: SIT DOWN AND WRITE"

"Winds of Winter" is expected to be released next year before "Game of Thrones" season 6 premieres.