Extremely well said. I'm starting to feel the same way. He may squeak out one more volume before he dies, but I'd be pretty shocked at this point if he managed both. I'll keep hope alive, even if my confidence is waning rapidly.

I'm reluctant to outright blame him, but I do wish he'd hurry. I still blame D and D more. To cast the blame of GRRM feels almost like saying colossal worlds like this shouldn't be written into existence at all just because they'll be hard to close. I'm thankful for the world of Westeros that we got even if we never do see a proper conclusion.