I want to have dragons and direwolves and mammoths and a wall of ice at 700
and mammoths and a wall of ice at 700
and mammoths and a wall of ice at 700 feet tall a minute ago I don’t like
feet tall a minute ago I don’t like
feet tall a minute ago I don’t like stories of books that are too familiar
stories of books that are too familiar
stories of books that are too familiar too too predictable
too too predictable
too too predictable that I feel like I read a thousand times
that I feel like I read a thousand times
that I feel like I read a thousand times before very few people get up in the
before very few people get up in the
before very few people get up in the morning and say oh I’m evil what evil
morning and say oh I’m evil what evil
morning and say oh I’m evil what evil can I do today it’s always said that no
can I do today it’s always said that no
can I do today it’s always said that no is the sexiest word you could say in
is the sexiest word you could say in
is the sexiest word you could say in Hollywood the more you say no the more
Hollywood the more you say no the more
Hollywood the more you say no the more they want you he’s an American novelist
they want you he’s an American novelist
they want you he’s an American novelist screenwriter and TV producer he’s best
screenwriter and TV producer he’s best
screenwriter and TV producer he’s best known for his series a Song of Ice and
known for his series a Song of Ice and
known for his series a Song of Ice and Fire which was later turned into HBO’s
Fire which was later turned into HBO’s
Fire which was later turned into HBO’s Game of Thrones in 2005 Time magazine
Game of Thrones in 2005 Time magazine
Game of Thrones in 2005 Time magazine called him the American Tolkien he’s
called him the American Tolkien he’s
called him the American Tolkien he’s george RR martin and here’s my take on
george RR martin and here’s my take on
george RR martin and here’s my take on his top ten rules for success rule
his top ten rules for success rule
his top ten rules for success rule number two is my personal favorite I
number two is my personal favorite I
number two is my personal favorite I make sure to stick around all over to
make sure to stick around all over to
make sure to stick around all over to the end for some special bonus clips and
the end for some special bonus clips and
the end for some special bonus clips and as always as George is talking if he
as always as George is talking if he
as always as George is talking if he says something that really is meaningful
says something that really is meaningful
says something that really is meaningful to you that has a big impact on you
to you that has a big impact on you
to you that has a big impact on you please leave it in the comments below so
please leave it in the comments below so
please leave it in the comments below so others can benefit from the experience
others can benefit from the experience
others can benefit from the experience as well enjoy
and I started actually writing a science
and I started actually writing a science fiction novel that had been an idea I’ve
fiction novel that had been an idea I’ve
fiction novel that had been an idea I’ve been playing with a long time book
been playing with a long time book
been playing with a long time book called Avalon and I was working on
called Avalon and I was working on
called Avalon and I was working on Avalon and it was coming pretty well and
Avalon and it was coming pretty well and
Avalon and it was coming pretty well and suddenly the first chapter of Game of
suddenly the first chapter of Game of
suddenly the first chapter of Game of Thrones came to me where they find the
Thrones came to me where they find the
Thrones came to me where they find the dire wolf pups
it’s a direwolf I know it wasn’t part of
it’s a direwolf I know it wasn’t part of the science fiction novel I was writing
the science fiction novel I was writing
the science fiction novel I was writing this was clearly a fantasy medieval had
this was clearly a fantasy medieval had
this was clearly a fantasy medieval had these wolves and this large family I’ve
these wolves and this large family I’ve
these wolves and this large family I’ve been reading a lot of historical fiction
been reading a lot of historical fiction
been reading a lot of historical fiction and might have been in the back of my
and might have been in the back of my
and might have been in the back of my mind but suddenly it all gelled and I
mind but suddenly it all gelled and I
mind but suddenly it all gelled and I wrote and I wrote that chapter in like
wrote and I wrote that chapter in like
wrote and I wrote that chapter in like two three days it just came to pour out
two three days it just came to pour out
two three days it just came to pour out of me don’t stop there are five pups one
of me don’t stop there are five pups one
of me don’t stop there are five pups one for each of the stark children the
for each of the stark children the
for each of the stark children the direwolf is the sigil of your house they
direwolf is the sigil of your house they
direwolf is the sigil of your house they were meant to have them we’ll train them
were meant to have them we’ll train them
were meant to have them we’ll train them yourselves you’ll feed them yourselves
yourselves you’ll feed them yourselves
yourselves you’ll feed them yourselves and if they die you will bury them
and if they die you will bury them
and if they die you will bury them yourselves when I did return the books I
yourselves when I did return the books I
yourselves when I did return the books I said to myself okay I’ve had many things
said to myself okay I’ve had many things
said to myself okay I’ve had many things option they never make them I’ve done
option they never make them I’ve done
option they never make them I’ve done pilots and TV shows tried to keep them
pilots and TV shows tried to keep them
pilots and TV shows tried to keep them within budget and producible and ever
within budget and producible and ever
within budget and producible and ever make that I’m tired of playing that game
make that I’m tired of playing that game
make that I’m tired of playing that game I’m gonna you know I have a big
I’m gonna you know I have a big
I’m gonna you know I have a big imagination I have an epic story able to
imagination I have an epic story able to
imagination I have an epic story able to tell I’m going to make it as big as my
tell I’m going to make it as big as my
tell I’m going to make it as big as my imagination I’m going to have all the
imagination I’m going to have all the
imagination I’m going to have all the the castles and battles I want I’m going
the castles and battles I want I’m going
the castles and battles I want I’m going to have hundreds of characters because
to have hundreds of characters because
to have hundreds of characters because the real world is complex I want my
the real world is complex I want my
the real world is complex I want my fictional world to be complex too not as
fictional world to be complex too not as
fictional world to be complex too not as kind of simplified thing I want to have
kind of simplified thing I want to have
kind of simplified thing I want to have giant battles I want to have incredible
giant battles I want to have incredible
giant battles I want to have incredible castles that each one is distinct from
castles that each one is distinct from
castles that each one is distinct from the other two people remember for all
the other two people remember for all
the other two people remember for all time I want to have dragons and dire
time I want to have dragons and dire
time I want to have dragons and dire wolves and mammoths and a wall of ice at
wolves and mammoths and a wall of ice at
wolves and mammoths and a wall of ice at 700 feet tall
700 feet tall
700 feet tall I want something huge and epic that can
I want something huge and epic that can
I want something huge and epic that can stand up there with Tolkien ask yourself
stand up there with Tolkien ask yourself
stand up there with Tolkien ask yourself what if no one ever bought any of my
what if no one ever bought any of my
what if no one ever bought any of my work what if I’m never going to sell a
work what if I’m never going to sell a
work what if I’m never going to sell a book or publish a book or a short story
book or publish a book or a short story
book or publish a book or a short story are you going to continue to write and
are you going to continue to write and
are you going to continue to write and if the answer is yes because I have to
if the answer is yes because I have to
if the answer is yes because I have to do then yeah then you are a writer and
do then yeah then you are a writer and
do then yeah then you are a writer and whether you’re selling out I can’t know
whether you’re selling out I can’t know
whether you’re selling out I can’t know but if they’re stories and you that have
but if they’re stories and you that have
but if they’re stories and you that have to get out you want to put them down in
to get out you want to put them down in
to get out you want to put them down in the paper with whether you ever get the
the paper with whether you ever get the
the paper with whether you ever get the affirmation of a contract or a book in
affirmation of a contract or a book in
affirmation of a contract or a book in your hand or being on the bestseller
your hand or being on the bestseller
your hand or being on the bestseller list if you still have to tell your
list if you still have to tell your
list if you still have to tell your stories then then your writer if you can
stories then then your writer if you can
stories then then your writer if you can give it up then then it probably would
give it up then then it probably would
give it up then then it probably would be an act of sanity to learn accounting
be an act of sanity to learn accounting
be an act of sanity to learn accounting or
or
or something like that I have tons of
something like that I have tons of
something like that I have tons of things I’d like to do and life is short
things I’d like to do and life is short
things I’d like to do and life is short unfortunately but I hope it will be long
unfortunately but I hope it will be long
unfortunately but I hope it will be long enough for me to do to do some of these
enough for me to do to do some of these
enough for me to do to do some of these I have known a few writers who have
I have known a few writers who have
I have known a few writers who have retired
retired
retired I cannot imagine ever retiring I did
I cannot imagine ever retiring I did
I cannot imagine ever retiring I did writing and being a writer is too much
writing and being a writer is too much
writing and being a writer is too much part of my identity and too much part of
part of my identity and too much part of
part of my identity and too much part of what I am I don’t know what I would do
what I am I don’t know what I would do
what I am I don’t know what I would do with all that time if I did stop writing
with all that time if I did stop writing
with all that time if I did stop writing you know play video games or something
you know play video games or something
you know play video games or something like that
like that
like that what’s a lot more television that it
what’s a lot more television that it
what’s a lot more television that it seems unlikely to me I’ve always told
seems unlikely to me I’ve always told
seems unlikely to me I’ve always told stories whether I could make my living
stories whether I could make my living
stories whether I could make my living from it or even when I was a little kid
from it or even when I was a little kid
from it or even when I was a little kid just making up stories for the other
just making up stories for the other
just making up stories for the other kids in the neighborhood and I think I’m
kids in the neighborhood and I think I’m
kids in the neighborhood and I think I’m going to continue to do that until the
going to continue to do that until the
going to continue to do that until the end what the little climb on gee how old
end what the little climb on gee how old
end what the little climb on gee how old are you boy
the things I do for love I mean not many
the things I do for love I mean not many shows or books have the guts to kill a
shows or books have the guts to kill a
shows or books have the guts to kill a ten-year-old let alone me after the him
ten-year-old let alone me after the him
ten-year-old let alone me after the him catching an incestuous relationship
catching an incestuous relationship
catching an incestuous relationship that’s true
probably more surprising in the book
probably more surprising in the book where Chrissy is the first viewpoint
where Chrissy is the first viewpoint
where Chrissy is the first viewpoint character you know he’s the viewpoint
character you know he’s the viewpoint
character you know he’s the viewpoint character in the first chapter and then
character in the first chapter and then
character in the first chapter and then we switch wait a couple of you points
we switch wait a couple of you points
we switch wait a couple of you points don’t come back to him but since he was
don’t come back to him but since he was
don’t come back to him but since he was first I think the the assumption of most
first I think the the assumption of most
first I think the the assumption of most readers is that he’s going to be you
readers is that he’s going to be you
readers is that he’s going to be you know the main guy through that and then
know the main guy through that and then
know the main guy through that and then suddenly you think he’s he’s dead or
suddenly you think he’s he’s dead or
suddenly you think he’s he’s dead or maybe he’s dead but we find out more
maybe he’s dead but we find out more
maybe he’s dead but we find out more later but uh you know it’s by what I we
later but uh you know it’s by what I we
later but uh you know it’s by what I we we write what we want to read and I as I
we write what we want to read and I as I
we write what we want to read and I as I said a minute ago I don’t like stories
said a minute ago I don’t like stories
said a minute ago I don’t like stories or books that are too familiar too too
or books that are too familiar too too
or books that are too familiar too too predictable that I feel like I read a
predictable that I feel like I read a
predictable that I feel like I read a thousand times before so I want to keep
thousand times before so I want to keep
thousand times before so I want to keep you on edge and surprise you and make
you on edge and surprise you and make
you on edge and surprise you and make you think that no one is safe and that
you think that no one is safe and that
you think that no one is safe and that was that was certainly the intent there
was that was certainly the intent there
was that was certainly the intent there and that scene has I think gotten a lot
and that scene has I think gotten a lot
and that scene has I think gotten a lot of people hooked on these books and said
of people hooked on these books and said
of people hooked on these books and said you know I I thought I was reading just
you know I I thought I was reading just
you know I I thought I was reading just another fantasy till I hit that scene
another fantasy till I hit that scene
another fantasy till I hit that scene and then I realized but this was
and then I realized but this was
and then I realized but this was something a little different so so that
something a little different so so that
something a little different so so that moment has worked very well for me you
moment has worked very well for me you
moment has worked very well for me you are no Knight you’re forsaken every vow
are no Knight you’re forsaken every vow
are no Knight you’re forsaken every vow you ever took so many vows they make you
you ever took so many vows they make you
you ever took so many vows they make you swear and swear defend the King obey the
swear and swear defend the King obey the
swear and swear defend the King obey the King obey your father protect the
King obey your father protect the
King obey your father protect the innocent defend the weak what if your
innocent defend the weak what if your
innocent defend the weak what if your father despises the king what if the
father despises the king what if the
father despises the king what if the King massacres the innocent it’s too
King massacres the innocent it’s too
King massacres the innocent it’s too much no matter what you do you’re
much no matter what you do you’re
much no matter what you do you’re forsaking one vow or another I think the
forsaking one vow or another I think the
forsaking one vow or another I think the struggle between good and evil is
struggle between good and evil is
struggle between good and evil is central to fantasy and indeed in some
central to fantasy and indeed in some
central to fantasy and indeed in some ways central to most fiction it’s
ways central to most fiction it’s
ways central to most fiction it’s certainly a worthy subject for fiction
certainly a worthy subject for fiction
certainly a worthy subject for fiction but where I think I differ is I regard
but where I think I differ is I regard
but where I think I differ is I regard the distrub
the distrub
the distrub between good and evil as being waged
between good and evil as being waged
between good and evil as being waged within the individual human heart it’s
within the individual human heart it’s
within the individual human heart it’s not waged as fantasy would have it where
not waged as fantasy would have it where
not waged as fantasy would have it where a character like all the Dark Lord
a character like all the Dark Lord
a character like all the Dark Lord gathers all the evil people together and
gathers all the evil people together and
gathers all the evil people together and puts them in black clothing and you know
puts them in black clothing and you know
puts them in black clothing and you know they’re evil because they’re really ugly
they’re evil because they’re really ugly
they’re evil because they’re really ugly and all the good people are handsome and
and all the good people are handsome and
and all the good people are handsome and they wear white and they meet on a big
they wear white and they meet on a big
they wear white and they meet on a big battlefield in the real world good and
battlefield in the real world good and
battlefield in the real world good and evil or not that complex very few people
evil or not that complex very few people
evil or not that complex very few people get up in the morning and say oh I’m
get up in the morning and say oh I’m
get up in the morning and say oh I’m evil what evil can I do today I’m going
evil what evil can I do today I’m going
evil what evil can I do today I’m going to cover the world with darkness and my
to cover the world with darkness and my
to cover the world with darkness and my legions of evil will rule that’s silly
legions of evil will rule that’s silly
legions of evil will rule that’s silly you know the greatest monsters of
you know the greatest monsters of
you know the greatest monsters of history as we look back on them thought
history as we look back on them thought
history as we look back on them thought they would have heroes at a story you
they would have heroes at a story you
they would have heroes at a story you know the villain is the hero of the
know the villain is the hero of the
know the villain is the hero of the other side as sometimes said that
other side as sometimes said that
other side as sometimes said that doesn’t mean that it’s all more really
doesn’t mean that it’s all more really
doesn’t mean that it’s all more really relative that doesn’t mean that all
relative that doesn’t mean that all
relative that doesn’t mean that all things are equally good and evil I think
things are equally good and evil I think
things are equally good and evil I think there there is good and there is evil in
there there is good and there is evil in
there there is good and there is evil in the world but you know it’s it’s
the world but you know it’s it’s
the world but you know it’s it’s sometimes I struggle to tell one from
sometimes I struggle to tell one from
sometimes I struggle to tell one from the other and to make that make the
the other and to make that make the
the other and to make that make the right choices and and all of us I’ve
right choices and and all of us I’ve
right choices and and all of us I’ve always been attracted to great
always been attracted to great
always been attracted to great characters maybe because that’s what I
characters maybe because that’s what I
characters maybe because that’s what I see when I look around the real world
see when I look around the real world
see when I look around the real world where I read about it in history books
where I read about it in history books
where I read about it in history books or the news or just people I meet I mean
or the news or just people I meet I mean
or the news or just people I meet I mean all of us have it within ourselves to be
all of us have it within ourselves to be
all of us have it within ourselves to be heroes all of us have it within
heroes all of us have it within
heroes all of us have it within ourselves to be villains
ourselves to be villains
ourselves to be villains we’ve all done good things in our lives
we’ve all done good things in our lives
we’ve all done good things in our lives and most of us have also done selfish
and most of us have also done selfish
and most of us have also done selfish things cowardly things things that were
things cowardly things things that were
things cowardly things things that were ashamed of in later years and to my mind
ashamed of in later years and to my mind
ashamed of in later years and to my mind that that’s I don’t know the glory of
that that’s I don’t know the glory of
that that’s I don’t know the glory of the human race we’re such wonderfully
the human race we’re such wonderfully
the human race we’re such wonderfully contradictory mixed-up creatures that
contradictory mixed-up creatures that
contradictory mixed-up creatures that we’re endlessly fascinating to write
we’re endlessly fascinating to write
we’re endlessly fascinating to write about and read about David Benioff and
about and read about David Benioff and
about and read about David Benioff and Dan Weiss are the showrunners you know I
Dan Weiss are the showrunners you know I
Dan Weiss are the showrunners you know I don’t have any veto power you know I
don’t have any veto power you know I
don’t have any veto power you know I find a pretty standard contract where I
find a pretty standard contract where I
find a pretty standard contract where I gave them rights to to adapt this into a
gave them rights to to adapt this into a
gave them rights to to adapt this into a television series and I got certain
television series and I got certain
television series and I got certain titles
titles
titles and the agreement I’d write one script a
and the agreement I’d write one script a
and the agreement I’d write one script a year and and a large dump truck full of
year and and a large dump truck full of
year and and a large dump truck full of money and they can do you know they can
money and they can do you know they can
money and they can do you know they can have the aliens come down next season
have the aliens come down next season
have the aliens come down next season they can turn the old cast into vampires
and I’m powerless to stop them but I
and I’m powerless to stop them but I don’t think they they will do that
don’t think they they will do that
don’t think they they will do that they love the books and they’re they
they love the books and they’re they
they love the books and they’re they seem committed to telling my story in a
seem committed to telling my story in a
seem committed to telling my story in a different medium and I knew all that
different medium and I knew all that
different medium and I knew all that before I signed any of the contracts I
before I signed any of the contracts I
before I signed any of the contracts I mean when these books started hitting
mean when these books started hitting
mean when these books started hitting the New York Times bestseller list which
the New York Times bestseller list which
the New York Times bestseller list which was as early as Clash of Kings I was
was as early as Clash of Kings I was
was as early as Clash of Kings I was approached by other people who wanted to
approached by other people who wanted to
approached by other people who wanted to adapt them many for feature films and I
adapt them many for feature films and I
adapt them many for feature films and I had meetings with those people and you
had meetings with those people and you
had meetings with those people and you know heard their plans how are they
know heard their plans how are they
know heard their plans how are they going to fit this giant thing in a
going to fit this giant thing in a
going to fit this giant thing in a feature film well we’re going to make it
feature film well we’re going to make it
feature film well we’re going to make it a little better on snow and we’ll drop
a little better on snow and we’ll drop
a little better on snow and we’ll drop all these other characters or we’ll make
all these other characters or we’ll make
all these other characters or we’ll make it all about Danny and we’ll drop all
it all about Danny and we’ll drop all
it all about Danny and we’ll drop all these are the characters that they had
these are the characters that they had
these are the characters that they had various schemes or of how they would do
various schemes or of how they would do
various schemes or of how they would do it or well we’ll just make we’ll just
it or well we’ll just make we’ll just
it or well we’ll just make we’ll just make the first book up to this point and
make the first book up to this point and
make the first book up to this point and then you know we hope that the movie
then you know we hope that the movie
then you know we hope that the movie will do well after the water second
will do well after the water second
will do well after the water second movie and and none of these really
movie and and none of these really
movie and and none of these really appealed to me so I said no which is
appealed to me so I said no which is
appealed to me so I said no which is it’s always said that no is the sexiest
it’s always said that no is the sexiest
it’s always said that no is the sexiest word you could say in Hollywood the the
word you could say in Hollywood the the
word you could say in Hollywood the the the more you say no the more they want
the more you say no the more they want
the more you say no the more they want you and I I guess I was true because
you and I I guess I was true because
you and I I guess I was true because they kept coming and eventually David
they kept coming and eventually David
they kept coming and eventually David and Dan came and we had a wonderful
and Dan came and we had a wonderful
and Dan came and we had a wonderful meeting that lasted like most of the day
meeting that lasted like most of the day
meeting that lasted like most of the day we met for lunch and and you know we
we met for lunch and and you know we
we met for lunch and and you know we were talking and getting all animated
were talking and getting all animated
were talking and getting all animated about how we’re going to do series over
about how we’re going to do series over
about how we’re going to do series over lunch and in a crowded restaurant in Los
lunch and in a crowded restaurant in Los
lunch and in a crowded restaurant in Los Angeles and little by little it emptied
Angeles and little by little it emptied
Angeles and little by little it emptied out and pretty soon we were the only
out and pretty soon we were the only
out and pretty soon we were the only people there you don’t drink in our
people there you don’t drink in our
people there you don’t drink in our seventh cup of coffee and iced tea and
seventh cup of coffee and iced tea and
seventh cup of coffee and iced tea and still talking about it and and then more
still talking about it and and then more
still talking about it and and then more hours passed and we’re still talking and
hours passed and we’re still talking and
hours passed and we’re still talking and the restaurant to dinner crowd is coming
the restaurant to dinner crowd is coming
the restaurant to dinner crowd is coming in and they’re setting up for dinner I
in and they’re setting up for dinner I
in and they’re setting up for dinner I think we closed that restaurant that
think we closed that restaurant that
think we closed that restaurant that night so it was one of those classic
night so it was one of those classic
night so it was one of those classic meetings that you only get once in a
meetings that you only get once in a
meetings that you only get once in a while but I had
while but I had
while but I had great feeling about them I mean you know
great feeling about them I mean you know
great feeling about them I mean you know if you’re JK Rowling you can go into a
if you’re JK Rowling you can go into a
if you’re JK Rowling you can go into a situation where every studio in
situation where every studio in
situation where every studio in Hollywood want you and you can set very
Hollywood want you and you can set very
Hollywood want you and you can set very stringent terms where you get to approve
stringent terms where you get to approve
stringent terms where you get to approve everything but I’m if you’re not JK
everything but I’m if you’re not JK
everything but I’m if you’re not JK Rowling and virtually nobody is JK
Rowling and virtually nobody is JK
Rowling and virtually nobody is JK Rowling except for JK Rowling then you
Rowling except for JK Rowling then you
Rowling except for JK Rowling then you can’t do that and you have to find
can’t do that and you have to find
can’t do that and you have to find people that you trust and put your faith
people that you trust and put your faith
people that you trust and put your faith in in in them and in the understanding
in in in them and in the understanding
in in in them and in the understanding of the story I think I was a sophomore
of the story I think I was a sophomore
of the story I think I was a sophomore in high school
in high school
in high school and I was kind of a nerdy kid that you
and I was kind of a nerdy kid that you
and I was kind of a nerdy kid that you know I wasn’t one of the cool kids I
know I wasn’t one of the cool kids I
know I wasn’t one of the cool kids I wasn’t good at sports as good I was good
wasn’t good at sports as good I was good
wasn’t good at sports as good I was good at you know on a roll and stuff that
at you know on a roll and stuff that
at you know on a roll and stuff that doesn’t cut in East any slacking in in
doesn’t cut in East any slacking in in
doesn’t cut in East any slacking in in school that just gets you more abuse but
school that just gets you more abuse but
school that just gets you more abuse but sophomore year my one of my English
sophomore year my one of my English
sophomore year my one of my English teachers uh was teaching pose fit in the
teachers uh was teaching pose fit in the
teachers uh was teaching pose fit in the pendulum and he said you know this story
pendulum and he said you know this story
pendulum and he said you know this story has a terrible ending if you remember
has a terrible ending if you remember
has a terrible ending if you remember that story the guys in the pit the
that story the guys in the pit the
that story the guys in the pit the pendulums coming lower and lower and
pendulums coming lower and lower and
pendulums coming lower and lower and then suddenly in the last paragraph
then suddenly in the last paragraph
then suddenly in the last paragraph trumpet sound and depending on pulls up
trumpet sound and depending on pulls up
trumpet sound and depending on pulls up and he saved the Inquisition is in the
and he saved the Inquisition is in the
and he saved the Inquisition is in the hands of its enemies is the last thing
hands of its enemies is the last thing
hands of its enemies is the last thing and and you know my English teacher said
and and you know my English teacher said
and and you know my English teacher said this is a classic example of the deus ex
this is a classic example of the deus ex
this is a classic example of the deus ex machina so our assignment was to write a
machina so our assignment was to write a
machina so our assignment was to write a better ending for the bit oh boy so I
better ending for the bit oh boy so I
better ending for the bit oh boy so I wrote an ending where the rats came out
wrote an ending where the rats came out
wrote an ending where the rats came out and ate the guy and they ate is they ate
and ate the guy and they ate is they ate
and ate the guy and they ate is they ate his cheeks and they ate his toes and and
his cheeks and they ate his toes and and
his cheeks and they ate his toes and and you know they ate his face and the
you know they ate his face and the
you know they ate his face and the pendulum cut him in half and he died
pendulum cut him in half and he died
pendulum cut him in half and he died horribly screaming and in horrible pain
horribly screaming and in horrible pain
horribly screaming and in horrible pain I thought it was a much better ending
I thought it was a much better ending
I thought it was a much better ending than the one that Edgar Allan Poe came
than the one that Edgar Allan Poe came
than the one that Edgar Allan Poe came up with it has a certain uplift to it I
up with it has a certain uplift to it I
up with it has a certain uplift to it I feel it does but what was the real boost
feel it does but what was the real boost
feel it does but what was the real boost for me is the teacher liked it too and
for me is the teacher liked it too and
for me is the teacher liked it too and he had me read it to the class and
he had me read it to the class and
he had me read it to the class and suddenly suddenly all these kids who’d
suddenly suddenly all these kids who’d
suddenly suddenly all these kids who’d never thought much of me thought I was
never thought much of me thought I was
never thought much of me thought I was the coolest kid in class man wow what a
the coolest kid in class man wow what a
the coolest kid in class man wow what a great
great
great what a great story the rats ate the guy
what a great story the rats ate the guy
what a great story the rats ate the guy they loved it and I said I I got to do
they loved it and I said I I got to do
they loved it and I said I I got to do more this writing stuff it’s really it’s
more this writing stuff it’s really it’s
more this writing stuff it’s really it’s really pays off when you’re writing
really pays off when you’re writing
really pays off when you’re writing fantasy when I’ve never I’ve never been
fantasy when I’ve never I’ve never been
fantasy when I’ve never I’ve never been a prince I’ve never been a king I’ve
a prince I’ve never been a king I’ve
a prince I’ve never been a king I’ve never murdered anyone I’ve never been a
never murdered anyone I’ve never been a
never murdered anyone I’ve never been a dwarf I’ve never been an eleven-year-old
dwarf I’ve never been an eleven-year-old
dwarf I’ve never been an eleven-year-old girl so you know the question is how do
girl so you know the question is how do
girl so you know the question is how do you write these characters well there’s
you write these characters well there’s
you write these characters well there’s certain amount of stuff that you have to
certain amount of stuff that you have to
certain amount of stuff that you have to get by doing research you have to talk
get by doing research you have to talk
get by doing research you have to talk to people who actually have had these
to people who actually have had these
to people who actually have had these experiences like when when brand was
experiences like when when brand was
experiences like when when brand was crippled by his fall I had a couple
crippled by his fall I had a couple
crippled by his fall I had a couple correspondences with with readers of
correspondences with with readers of
correspondences with with readers of mine who were paraplegic and had had no
mine who were paraplegic and had had no
mine who were paraplegic and had had no use of their legs and you know described
use of their legs and you know described
use of their legs and you know described to me some of the consequence some of
to me some of the consequence some of
to me some of the consequence some of the things I might not have thought of
the things I might not have thought of
the things I might not have thought of and made suggestions to me of how better
and made suggestions to me of how better
and made suggestions to me of how better to write that I certainly took that sort
to write that I certainly took that sort
to write that I certainly took that sort of stuff into into account but then the
of stuff into into account but then the
of stuff into into account but then the main thing is is empathy is saying well
main thing is is empathy is saying well
main thing is is empathy is saying well okay how would I feel because because
okay how would I feel because because
okay how would I feel because because the character is still a person there’s
the character is still a person there’s
the character is still a person there’s a certain basis of common humanity and
a certain basis of common humanity and
a certain basis of common humanity and that’s true when writing about women or
that’s true when writing about women or
that’s true when writing about women or writing about a dwarf or or writing
writing about a dwarf or or writing
writing about a dwarf or or writing about any there’s you have to start with
about any there’s you have to start with
about any there’s you have to start with the basis they’re more like me than they
the basis they’re more like me than they
the basis they’re more like me than they are unlike me they have some special
are unlike me they have some special
are unlike me they have some special condition that they have a different set
condition that they have a different set
condition that they have a different set of genitals than I do but they still
of genitals than I do but they still
of genitals than I do but they still it’s still the same old story a fight
it’s still the same old story a fight
it’s still the same old story a fight for love and glory right real we all
for love and glory right real we all
for love and glory right real we all want kind of the same things out of life
want kind of the same things out of life
want kind of the same things out of life and that humanity can motivate
and that humanity can motivate
and that humanity can motivate characters and make them real and that’s
characters and make them real and that’s
characters and make them real and that’s what I try to remember at all times when
what I try to remember at all times when
what I try to remember at all times when you write when I write anyway I want to
you write when I write anyway I want to
you write when I write anyway I want to I want to engage my my readers emotions
I want to engage my my readers emotions
I want to engage my my readers emotions or my viewers emotions you you don’t
or my viewers emotions you you don’t
or my viewers emotions you you don’t want you know death death is a big thing
want you know death death is a big thing
want you know death death is a big thing you know when when we experience death
you know when when we experience death
you know when when we experience death in real life it affects us you know when
in real life it affects us you know when
in real life it affects us you know when when a spouse dies or your parents died
when a spouse dies or your parents died
when a spouse dies or your parents died your brother dies your dog gets run over
your brother dies your dog gets run over
your brother dies your dog gets run over or god forbid one of your children dies
or god forbid one of your children dies
or god forbid one of your children dies rips your heart out it affects you
rips your heart out it affects you
rips your heart out it affects you emotionally
emotionally
emotionally if we’re creating characters that we
if we’re creating characters that we
if we’re creating characters that we really care about we should react the
really care about we should react the
really care about we should react the sim away when they die in in fiction it
sim away when they die in in fiction it
sim away when they die in in fiction it and war on television it shouldn’t be
and war on television it shouldn’t be
and war on television it shouldn’t be just oh okay
just oh okay
just oh okay that character is dead let me go out and
that character is dead let me go out and
that character is dead let me go out and get a sandwich or in a commercial I mean
get a sandwich or in a commercial I mean
get a sandwich or in a commercial I mean then then you’re not doing your job I
then then you’re not doing your job I
then then you’re not doing your job I want to I want to grab hold of my
want to I want to grab hold of my
want to I want to grab hold of my readers and make them cry and make them
readers and make them cry and make them
readers and make them cry and make them grieve and make them laugh as well and
grieve and make them laugh as well and
grieve and make them laugh as well and experience joy experience the world’s on
experience joy experience the world’s on
experience joy experience the world’s on the page as if they were living them
the page as if they were living them
the page as if they were living them that’s the dream of me at least and I
that’s the dream of me at least and I
that’s the dream of me at least and I think most writers how did you decide on
think most writers how did you decide on
think most writers how did you decide on the name Hodor um that’s not his real
the name Hodor um that’s not his real
the name Hodor um that’s not his real name that’s just what they call him his
name that’s just what they call him his
name that’s just what they call him his real name is waldir if your name Walder
real name is waldir if your name Walder
real name is waldir if your name Walder you might want to be cool code or two I
you might want to be cool code or two I
you might want to be cool code or two I don’t know you have to keep reading
for the door of the door the door
for the door of the door the door [Music]
[Music]
[Music] ha ha
[Music]
[Music] ha ha ha ha
thank you guys so much for watching I
thank you guys so much for watching I made this video because the balls asked
made this video because the balls asked
made this video because the balls asked me to so there’s a famous entrepreneur
me to so there’s a famous entrepreneur
me to so there’s a famous entrepreneur that you want me to profile next leave
that you want me to profile next leave
that you want me to profile next leave in the comments below and I’ll see what
in the comments below and I’ll see what
in the comments below and I’ll see what I can do I also love to know which rule
I can do I also love to know which rule
I can do I also love to know which rule was your personal favorite and why what
was your personal favorite and why what
was your personal favorite and why what impact is it going to have on your
impact is it going to have on your
impact is it going to have on your business or life please leave it down in
business or life please leave it down in
business or life please leave it down in the comments I’m going to join in the
the comments I’m going to join in the
the comments I’m going to join in the discussion I also want to give a quick
discussion I also want to give a quick
discussion I also want to give a quick shout out to Tuan nuyen thank you so
shout out to Tuan nuyen thank you so
shout out to Tuan nuyen thank you so much for picking up 10 copies of my book
much for picking up 10 copies of my book
much for picking up 10 copies of my book and leaving that awesome picture on the
and leaving that awesome picture on the
and leaving that awesome picture on the Amazon review I really really really
Amazon review I really really really
Amazon review I really really really appreciate it so thank you guys again
appreciate it so thank you guys again
appreciate it so thank you guys again for watching I believe in you I hope you
for watching I believe in you I hope you
for watching I believe in you I hope you continue to believe in yourself and
continue to believe in yourself and
continue to believe in yourself and whatever your one word is much love I’ll
whatever your one word is much love I’ll
whatever your one word is much love I’ll see you soon
you have to read widely that’s one thing
you have to read widely that’s one thing that I try to hammer home especially at
that I try to hammer home especially at
that I try to hammer home especially at things like a comic book convention or
things like a comic book convention or
things like a comic book convention or science fiction convention because the
science fiction convention because the
science fiction convention because the fans I’ve met and this has been true for
fans I’ve met and this has been true for
fans I’ve met and this has been true for decades many of the fans I meet read a
decades many of the fans I meet read a
decades many of the fans I meet read a lot but they read very narrowly they
lot but they read very narrowly they
lot but they read very narrowly they discover at a very early age they like
discover at a very early age they like
discover at a very early age they like superhero stories and then they read
superhero stories and then they read
superhero stories and then they read nothing but superhero stories or they
nothing but superhero stories or they
nothing but superhero stories or they like science fiction and they read that
that’s fine and I like superhero stories
that’s fine and I like superhero stories too and and I like science fiction
too and and I like science fiction
too and and I like science fiction fantasy but I also read a mystery novels
fantasy but I also read a mystery novels
fantasy but I also read a mystery novels I also read a lot of historical fiction
I also read a lot of historical fiction
I also read a lot of historical fiction I also read literary fiction and you
I also read literary fiction and you
I also read literary fiction and you know I Raymond Chandler and F scott
know I Raymond Chandler and F scott
know I Raymond Chandler and F scott Fitzgerald and William Goldman and and
Fitzgerald and William Goldman and and
Fitzgerald and William Goldman and and Dennis Lehane and people like that are
Dennis Lehane and people like that are
Dennis Lehane and people like that are marvelous writers and the more you read
marvelous writers and the more you read
marvelous writers and the more you read the more you see the techniques being
the more you see the techniques being
the more you see the techniques being used and what different people were
used and what different people were
used and what different people were doing the more you learn have you ever
doing the more you learn have you ever
doing the more you learn have you ever been influenced by some of the crazy
been influenced by some of the crazy
been influenced by some of the crazy theories your fans come up with for
theories your fans come up with for
theories your fans come up with for mysteries in the books have you ever
mysteries in the books have you ever
mysteries in the books have you ever changed an aspect of your story based on
changed an aspect of your story based on
changed an aspect of your story based on fan feedback ie if one of their theories
fan feedback ie if one of their theories
fan feedback ie if one of their theories is better than what you originally
is better than what you originally
is better than what you originally planned and no but I am concerned about
planned and no but I am concerned about
planned and no but I am concerned about that possibility which is one of the
that possibility which is one of the
that possibility which is one of the reasons I don’t tend to read the the fan
reasons I don’t tend to read the the fan
reasons I don’t tend to read the the fan boards I mean when the first fan board
boards I mean when the first fan board
boards I mean when the first fan board started occurring and they started
started occurring and they started
started occurring and they started theorizing and analyzing the books in
theorizing and analyzing the books in
theorizing and analyzing the books in such detail and I’m going back now to
such detail and I’m going back now to
such detail and I’m going back now to the mid 90s really when when the first
the mid 90s really when when the first
the mid 90s really when when the first boards appeared Dragonstone coming out
boards appeared Dragonstone coming out
boards appeared Dragonstone coming out of Australia that Peter Gabe brand I
of Australia that Peter Gabe brand I
of Australia that Peter Gabe brand I think was the first board I was aware of
think was the first board I was aware of
think was the first board I was aware of and a couple others came up after that I
and a couple others came up after that I
and a couple others came up after that I was very flattered and I did read all
was very flattered and I did read all
was very flattered and I did read all the theories and then precisely this
the theories and then precisely this
the theories and then precisely this point occurred where it says you know
point occurred where it says you know
point occurred where it says you know what if they’re guessing the things that
what if they’re guessing the things that
what if they’re guessing the things that I haven’t revealed yet what if they
I haven’t revealed yet what if they
I haven’t revealed yet what if they guessed them correctly how does that
guessed them correctly how does that
guessed them correctly how does that affect me do I then say oh my god they
affect me do I then say oh my god they
affect me do I then say oh my god they figured it out already I better change
figured it out already I better change
figured it out already I better change it or do I just ignore it and plow ahead
it or do I just ignore it and plow ahead
it or do I just ignore it and plow ahead and what if they come up with better
and what if they come up with better
and what if they come up with better ideas than the ones I had do I steal
ideas than the ones I had do I steal
ideas than the ones I had do I steal them
them
them and I didn’t like any of these
and I didn’t like any of these
and I didn’t like any of these possibilities so I said it would be
possibilities so I said it would be
possibilities so I said it would be better for me to try to keep my distance
better for me to try to keep my distance
better for me to try to keep my distance and not not go on these boards and try
and not not go on these boards and try
and not not go on these boards and try to get some while it’s a futile effort
to get some while it’s a futile effort
to get some while it’s a futile effort because people also write me emails and
because people also write me emails and
because people also write me emails and people come to public forums like this
people come to public forums like this
people come to public forums like this and and you know they come up with me at
and and you know they come up with me at
and and you know they come up with me at signings of whispering theories in my
signings of whispering theories in my
signings of whispering theories in my ear and things like that so I am kind of
ear and things like that so I am kind of
ear and things like that so I am kind of aware of some of the speculation out
aware of some of the speculation out
aware of some of the speculation out there but I try to keep my distance from
there but I try to keep my distance from
there but I try to keep my distance from it precisely because I don’t want to be
it precisely because I don’t want to be
it precisely because I don’t want to be impacted I mean you know it’s one of the
impacted I mean you know it’s one of the
impacted I mean you know it’s one of the it’s one of the drawbacks of the the
it’s one of the drawbacks of the the
it’s one of the drawbacks of the the whole internet culture in this world
whole internet culture in this world
whole internet culture in this world that you guys have created that
that you guys have created that
that you guys have created that something that previously maybe one
something that previously maybe one
something that previously maybe one reader in a thousand would have guessed
reader in a thousand would have guessed
reader in a thousand would have guessed but you still had the other 999 who
but you still had the other 999 who
but you still had the other 999 who would have no inkling until you reveal
would have no inkling until you reveal
would have no inkling until you reveal it in a book now that one person in a
it in a book now that one person in a
it in a book now that one person in a thousand puts it on a Internet message
thousand puts it on a Internet message
thousand puts it on a Internet message board and everybody sees it and they say
board and everybody sees it and they say
board and everybody sees it and they say oh yeah yeah that’s right dot no now I
oh yeah yeah that’s right dot no now I
oh yeah yeah that’s right dot no now I see the clues I got it and pretty soon
see the clues I got it and pretty soon
see the clues I got it and pretty soon half the readership or at least the
half the readership or at least the
half the readership or at least the internet-savvy portion of your
internet-savvy portion of your
internet-savvy portion of your readership knows it but what do you do
readership knows it but what do you do
readership knows it but what do you do then do you change it and come up with
then do you change it and come up with
then do you change it and come up with something goofy and outlandish that you
something goofy and outlandish that you
something goofy and outlandish that you haven’t led D you haven’t done the the
haven’t led D you haven’t done the the
haven’t led D you haven’t done the the foreshadowing for that you haven’t laid
foreshadowing for that you haven’t laid
foreshadowing for that you haven’t laid the foundation for just in order to
the foundation for just in order to
the foundation for just in order to surprise people I mean sure I could have
surprise people I mean sure I could have
surprise people I mean sure I could have like aliens come down and that would
like aliens come down and that would
like aliens come down and that would certainly surprise the Hat of everybody
certainly surprise the Hat of everybody
certainly surprise the Hat of everybody no one is predicting that but it would
no one is predicting that but it would
no one is predicting that but it would ruin the series so so basically you
ruin the series so so basically you
ruin the series so so basically you can’t you can’t let yourself be
can’t you can’t let yourself be
can’t you can’t let yourself be influenced by this stuff is and I try
influenced by this stuff is and I try
influenced by this stuff is and I try not to I’m writing the winds of winter
not to I’m writing the winds of winter
not to I’m writing the winds of winter which is book 6 in a series and I hope
which is book 6 in a series and I hope
which is book 6 in a series and I hope the next to last book the last book will
the next to last book the last book will
the next to last book the last book will be a dream of spring once those are done
be a dream of spring once those are done
be a dream of spring once those are done then I can take a rest and enjoy a few
then I can take a rest and enjoy a few
then I can take a rest and enjoy a few of the accolades and the fruits of
of the accolades and the fruits of
of the accolades and the fruits of success that have accumulated to me and
success that have accumulated to me and
success that have accumulated to me and then go back to writing something or
then go back to writing something or
then go back to writing something or other and I’ll be a different person
other and I’ll be a different person
other and I’ll be a different person that in the world will have changed and
that in the world will have changed and
that in the world will have changed and I’ll see what I feel like writing in
I’ll see what I feel like writing in
I’ll see what I feel like writing in whatever year that happens to be I
whatever year that happens to be I
whatever year that happens to be I should be doing that right now you’re
should be doing that right now you’re
should be doing that right now you’re interfering with me I’m sure this book
interfering with me I’m sure this book
interfering with me I’m sure this book will be a year late just because of you
”
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