HBO’s award-winning Game of Thrones is being forced to bench some familiar characters and invent new storylines in its upcoming fifth season, since the hit series has nearly caught up with the George R.R. Martin book series upon which the show is based. While this is a source of anxiety for fans who fear that the series will soon be delayed due to Martin’s difficulty in writing and publishing the next A Song of Ice and Fire installment, Martin himself is excited at the prospect of future seasons of the series and hopes for a big screen finale.

Following the success of Game of Thrones‘ Season 4 debut, HBO renewed the series for two seasons, a move considered very atypical for the network. Writers for the show are quickly running out of plot points to explore since several of the series’ characters have caught up with their book counterpoint’s storylines, but Martin is confident that he will be consulted as the show continues, and will “have a voice” when it comes to the future of his central characters.

“As we go forward, I expect I will have a voice in all these decisions. But mine will only be one voice among many, and there are all sorts of other factors that can come into play,” wrote Martin in a recently posted journal entry. “I am incredibly fortunate in having partners like HBO, and David Benioff and Dan Weiss.”

While fans are currently guaranteed at least six seasons, Martin admitted that he’s open to the idea of ten seasons, “with or without one or two feature films.”

“In the end, all that matters is that we tell a great story, with a great end,” wrote Martin, a particular amusing statement for fans of the book series who have waited decades for him to write the next novel, let alone an ending.

The Season 5 premiere, “The Wars to Come,” is slated to air on Apr. 12, 2015.