After Game Of Thrones scribe George R R Martin informed his fans he was in self-isolation amid COVID-19 and spending all his time writing, fantasy fiction enthusiasts were left hopeful that they could finally be getting the sixth novel in the A Song Of Ice And Fire franchise.

And now they're convinced the 71-year-old writing will be delivering the goods after he hinted he will finally complete it during the pandemic.

George admitted he's aware he is at risk from the coronavirus, given his age, and so has been 'spending more time in Westeros than in the real world' writing book six - The Winds Of Winter.

Finally: After Game Of Thrones scribe George R R Martin informed his fans he was in self-isolation amid COVID-19 and spending all his time writing, fantasy fiction enthusiasts were left hopeful that they could finally be getting the sixth novel in the A Song Of Ice And Fire franchise

He wrote on his blog: '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. I cannot help feeling as if we are all now living in a science fiction novel.

'But not, alas, the sort of science fiction novel that I dreamed of living in when I was a kid, the one with the cities on the Moon, colonies on Mars, household robots programmed with the Three Laws, and flying cars.

'I never liked the pandemic stories half so well... As ancient as I am, I cannot recall ever having lived through anything like the past few weeks.'

George added: '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. 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.'

Inspiration: The writer took to his personal blog to provide an update on his current situation, and gushed about 'spending more time in Westeros than in the real world' as a result

What could happen: Teasing the Winds Of Winter, he said - 'Things are pretty grim in the Seven Kingdoms … but maybe not as grim as they may become here'

He went on to say that his establishment, the Jean Cocteau Cinema, as well as his non-profit organisation, the Stagecoach Foundation, and New Mexico art experience Meow Wolf were now closed.

Showing his support for the staff at these places, he reassured: 'Despite the shutdowns, we will continue to pay our employees at Stagecoach and the Jean Cocteau, for the foreseeable future.'

George's A Song Of Ice And Fire is set to end with The Winds Of Winter and A Dream Of Spring, the sixth and seventh books in the franchise.

The most recent book in the series, A Dance With Dragons, was published in 2011, and though George had begun writing chapters for the next book shortly after his progress has been marred by delays and his packed schedule.

Game Of Thrones, the TV show based on the books, came to an end in April last year, though its ending was met with a lukewarm reception.