All the fans, waiting for "The Winds of Winter" can finally understand what is causing such a long delay in the book. It is apparently the gardening writing style of author George R.R. Martin and also the influence of "Game of Thrones."

If co-authors Linda Antonsson and Elio Garcia are to be believed, it is the gardening writing style of author George R.R. Martin that is delaying the release of "The Winds of Winter." According to Insider, Martin had revealed in an earlier 2011 interview that there are two types of writers- gardeners and architects. While the former plan everything before writing, the latter plant a seed and find out things when the plant comes out.

Linda Antonsson and Elio Garcia, who are also friends with George R.R. Martin, feel that it is the gardening writing style that the author is as he wants to be able to surprise himself along the way. So, this could be hindering him from releasing the sixth installment on time.

Nevertheless, this is not the only factor. Linda believes that "Game of Thrones" could also have a role to play as it brought George R.R. Martin into limelight and made him busier. The conferences, interviews did keep him away from writing. What is more, the HBO series deviated and outpaced from his creation, and it could have taken a toll on the development of characters.

Interestingly, George R.R. Martin updated fans about "The Winds of Winter" in January through his blog, Live Journal. However, it has not offered much relief. The writer had said that he hopes the book would be out within this year. Well, readers do hope that the book hits the stands in 2017 but chances seem dim. Before it does, "Game of Thrones" Season 7 would have overtaken it.

"Game of Thrones" Season 6 has already outrun the book and it is said that it was based on "The Winds of Winter." Well, the next season will be debuting in a few months and it would be interesting to see how events unfold on screen before they take shape in the book.