The delay in the release date of "Winds of Winter" was caused by a miscalculation on George R. R. Martin on the pace of "Game of Thrones."

"The show, of course, has caught up to me, which I didn't actually think would ever happen," the author said during a dialogue at Northwestern University, as shared by Entertainment Weekly. "I had such a huge lead, but the truth is, I'm a very slow writer."

But wouldn't the fact that "Game of Thrones" has caught up with "Winds of Winter" set a fire to the author to devote more time into speeding up the release date?

Short answer? No.

"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," he said, per Vulture. "I write at the pace I write, and what the show is doing is not going to change what the books are."

George R. R. Martin has previously said that "Game of Thrones" and his novels would have different trajectories even when they are on parallel paths.

"I'm now at the stage of my career where pretty much anything I care to put down I think I'll get some reply, which is a blessing and a curse," the author explained. "I try to be aware of that, and I also try to be aware that this too will pass."

"Game of Thrones right now is the most successful television show in the world, but it won't always be. Three years from now, some other television show will be the most successful show in the world."

The author already said that he's planning to announce the "Winds of Winter" release date prior to the airing of "Game of Thrones" next year. The HBO hit series appears to be delayed by one month from the original April 2016 schedule.