because they don’t think they are going to die. Back in `96 Robert Jordan was 48, had no health issues at all, and had already written and published 7 WOT books. Logically he had no reason to think he wouldn’t be able to finish the series long before retirement age. It’s really sad that he died 11 years after, but he certainly did a heck of a job to make certain his series would be finished, he obviously left massive amounts of detailed notes.

I think GRRM is closer to Stephen King and his Dark Tower books. King couldn’t prepare any notes in case he died, because he goes on a journey of discovery himself when he writes, and never had a clue where that journey would take him. Its nothing malicious about it, it’s just how writing works for him.

Back in the day I was really afraid I would never learn what happened to Jon Snow and Tyrion, but it doesn’t really bother me any more. I haven’t known for 11 years now, that’s a huge chunk of life, and I have gotten used to the idea of not knowing.