What is dead may never die, but rises again, stronger and harder. George R. R. Martin More Quotes by George R. R. Martin More Quotes From George R. R. Martin Summer is the time for squabbles. In winter, we must protect one another, keep each other warm, share our strengths. George R. R. Martin lone-wolf summer winter I hate outlines. I have a broad sense of where the story is going; I know the end, I know the end of the principal characters, and I know the major turning points and events from the books, the climaxes for each book, but I don't necessarily know each twist and turn along the way. That's something I discover in the course of writing and that's what makes writing enjoyable. I think if I outlined comprehensively and stuck to the outline the actual writing would be boring. George R. R. Martin hate writing book Ruling is hard. This was maybe my answer to Tolkien, whom, as much as I admire him, I do quibble with. Lord of the Rings had a very medieval philosophy: that if the king was a good man, the land would prosper. We look at real history and it's not that simple... Real-life kings had real-life problems to deal with... My people who are trying to rule don't have an easy time of it. Just having good intentions doesn't make you a wise king. George R. R. Martin leadership kings wise Madness and greatness are two sides of the same coin. Every time a new Targaryen is born, the gods toss the coin in the air and the world holds its breath to see how it will land. George R. R. Martin greatness land air Writing is like sausage making in my view; you'll all be happier in the end if you just eat the final product without knowing what's gone into it. George R. R. Martin knowing views writing I'm not a writer who's preaching some particular philosophy or something but the big questions do concern me and I like to make my readers think and debate and argue with each other and look at some aspect of the world or some act of governance or war or power and have an angle they haven't considered before, and that's something I strive for and hopefully have accomplished. George R. R. Martin philosophy war thinking My brother is undoubtedly arrogant," Tyrion Lannister replied. "My father is the soul of avarice, and my sweet sister Cersei lusts for power with every waking breath. I, however, am innocent as a little lamb. Shall I bleat for you? George R. R. Martin brother sweet father Some writers enjoy writing, I am told. Not me. I enjoy having written. George R. R. Martin fabulous inspired writing Sleep is good, he said, And books are better. George R. R. Martin healing sleep book Inside the room, a man and a woman were wrestling. They were both naked. George R. R. Martin naked men wrestling I would also suggest that any aspiring writer begin with short stories. These days, I meet far too many young writers who try to start off with a novel right off, or a trilogy, or even a nine-book series. That's like starting in at rock climbing by tackling Mt. Everest. Short stories help you learn your craft. George R. R. Martin climbing rocks book I have an instinctual distrust of conventional happy endings. George R. R. Martin conventional happy-endings distrust Ten years from now, no one is going to care how quickly the books came out. The only thing that will matter, the only thing anyone will remember, is how good they were. That's my main concern, and always will be. George R. R. Martin care book years The wildlings seemed to think Ygritte a great beauty because of her hair; red hair was rare among the free folk, and those who had it were said to be kissed by fire, which was supposed to be lucky. George R. R. Martin fire hair thinking There’s part of me that loves words. But sometimes it feels like you’re trying to drive nails with your shoe. George R. R. Martin nails shoes trying When we speak of the morrow nothing is ever certain. George R. R. Martin morrow certain speak When the snows fall and the white winds blow, the lone wolf dies but the pack survives. George R. R. Martin loneliness inspiring friendship The man who never reads lives only one. George R. R. Martin ice reading men I want to weep, she thought. I want to be comforted. I'm so tired of being strong. I want to be foolish and frightened for once. Just for a small while, that's all....a day.....an hour. George R. R. Martin tired strong want Men have scars, women mysteries. George R. R. Martin scar mystery men