You always try to do your own thing. One of the things I wanted to do was to write a book that combines some of the best traits of contemporary fantasy with some of the traits of the historical novel.

Sam loved to listen to music and make his own songs, to wear soft velvets, to play in the castle kitchen beside the cooks, drinking in the rich smells as he snitched lemon cakes and blueberry tarts. His passions were books and kittens and dancing, clumsy as he was.

A bruise is a lesson... and each lesson makes us better.

There was an agelessness about him, a stillness; on Roose Bolton's face, rage and joy looked much the same.

You are an honest and honorable man...Ofttimes I forget that. I have met so few of them in my life.

I beg you both, take heart.'(Varys) 'Whose?' asked Tyrion sourly. He could think of several tempting choices.

A mad man sees what he sees.