With all things considered, I don't think this George R.R. Martin comment should be treated much differently than the rest. On the one hand, it hurts to see him reg to the possibility that his mortality might be a hindrance to him finishing <em>A Song of Ice & Fire</em>. But on the other, he did say that he's alive now, implying that he's still working on the book. I wish he was in better spirits, but I don't think there's anything new here to make a big deal about.