I could have written a story about a well-adjusted family. Ned Stark comes down to King’s Landing and takes over and solves all their problems. Would that have been as exciting?

I've written some standalone novels, but a book series allows fans in. There's much more intense involvement.

Some allies are more dangerous than enemies.

What's dead may never die.

The man who passes the sentence should swing the sword. If you would take a man's life, you owe it to him to look into his eyes and hear his final words. And if you cannot bear to do that, then perhaps the man does not deserve to die.

He pushed away from her and raised his arm, forcing his stump into her face. "A Hand without a hand? A bad jape, sister. Don't ask me to rule.

A hedge knight must hold tight to his pride. Without it, he was no more than a sellsword