George R. R. Martin is using his time in self-isolation to complete the next Game of Thrones book, The Winds of Winter. 

In a blog post, Martin updated readers and fans on his writing, assuring that he was working on the  Song Of Fire Ice And Fire saga. “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."

He continued, "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.”

Martin, who is 71, also assured fans that he is 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. But I feel fine at the moment, and we are taking all sensible precautions."

While the context may be bleak, fans can be delighted to hear this progress report. The Winds of Winter is the sixth novel in Martin’s beloved fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire, and has been in the works for years.