History is a wheel, for the nature of man is fundamentally unchanging. What has happened before will perforce happen again.

I always give my students exercises where they really have to open a vein and bleed all over the paper and that's the way you get the important characters. Sooner or later every writer worth reading writes a story his mother wouldn't read and having to get that stuff out is part of one's growth as a writer.

Valar Morghulis - All men must die.

The ones who look the most suspicious are likely innocent. It's the ones who look innocent I need to beware.

Jon Snow had dreamed of leading men to glory just as King Daeron had, of growing up to be a conqueror. Now he was a man grown and the Wall was his, yet all he had were doubts. He could not even seem to conquer those.

I must show no fear, no weakness, no doubt.

Jon Snow: I'm not afraid to die. Mormont: Nor life, I hope.