Turtles have always been my sigil, I suppose. When I was a kid, growing up in Bayonne, NJ, I lived in a federal housing project, and we were not allowed to have a dog or cats. The only pets I could have were turtles. So, I had an entire toy castle filled with dime-store turtles. I gave them all names, and since they were living in a toy castle, I decided they were all knights and kingsand I made up stories about how they killed each other and betrayed each other and fought for the kingdom. So, Game of Thrones, actually began with turtles. I decided later to recast it with actual human beings.
George R. R. MartinThe north remembers, Lord Davos. The north remembers, and the mummerโs farce is almost done. My son is home.
George R. R. MartinThey say it grows so cold up here in winter that a manโs laughter freezes in his throat and chokes him to death,โ Ned said evenly. โPerhaps that is why the Starks have so little humor.
George R. R. MartinI am surrounded by flatterers and fools. It can drive a man to madness,.. . Half of them donโt dare tell me the truth, and the other half canโt find it.
George R. R. MartinGo Ahead, call me all the names you want," Sansa said airily. "You won't dare when I'm married to Joffrey. You'll have to bow and call me Your Grace." She shrieked as Arya flung the orange across the table. It caught her in the middle of the forehead with a wet squish and plopped down into her lap. "You have juice on your face, Your Grace ," Arya said.
George R. R. Martin