George R.R. Martin has clarified that he's focusing on the "Winds of Winter" release date but it doesn't mean that he's about to cancel all scheduled appearances and make himself a hermit. However, the author did say that he won't pen a script for "Game of Thrones" season 6.

In a blog post, George R. R. Martin wrote that he would still be making appearances which were scheduled months ago, after announcing that he's skipping the San Diego Comicon and World Fantasy Convention.

"It is possible that I may withdraw from some other announced appearances later in the year... most likely in the summer and fall... but if I do, it won't be from cons where I am the featured guest of honor. I would prefer not to have to cancel anything, but that depends on how the work is going," he explained.

"And by 'work,' I mean WINDS OF WINTER, of course... but not exclusively WINDS OF WINTER. When I say, 'my plate is full,' I don't just mean with WINDS. I am still editing the latest Wild Cards volume, HIGH STAKES."

" I have an overall deal with HBO, and three new television concepts in various stages of development, with a variety of collaborators and partners. I am consulting on a couple of videogames. There's the Wild Cards movie at Universal, where I'm a producer," George R. R. Martin added.

The author also said that he begged off from writing an episode for "Game of Thrones" season 6 to focus on the "Winds of Winter" release date.

"Writing a script takes me three weeks, minimum, and longer when it is not a straight adaptation from the novels. And really, it would cost me more time than that, since I have never been good at changing gears from one medium to another and back again," he added.

George R.R. Martin said that if he insists on writing an episode for "Game of Thrones" season 6, then that means he will be pushing back the "Winds of Winter" release date by as much as six weeks, "and I cannot afford that."