10 Writing Tips from George R. R. Martin on how he wrote Game of Thrones

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Submit your Feature Screenplay here: https://writers.coverfly.com/competitions/view/outstanding-screenplays-feature George R R Martin is an American novelist and short story writer, screenwriter, and television producer. He is the author of the series of epic fantasy novels A Song of Ice and Fire, which was adapted into the Emmy Award-winning HBO series Game of Thrones (2011–2019). 01 - The human heart in conflict with itself is the only thing worth writing about. You need characters to question who, and what, they are and how they fit within the world around them. This is key for character development. 02 - Write for yourself. Following trends, or pleasing your audience in spite of your own plans, harms good storytelling. Listening to critique is good, but inevitably you must be entertained and feel your way through the writing process. 03 - Anyone can die, and death is a key part of any story with conflict. Don't give your characters any special treatment, have them play by the same rules you set upon your world. Not only does it add constant tension, but it also creates a realistic atmosphere. 04 - Sometimes an idea can just come to you. If so, do not disregard it, instead follow the idea as a writer and write it! It could either lead into an interesting project or serve as useful practice. 05 - Show don’t tell. Immersion is essential to any story. Only through visuals and vivid descriptions of your world, can your audience even start to imagine themselves in your world. 06 - Allow yourself to discover in the process of writing. While you need to know the major outcomes of the story, and character arcs, allow yourself to enjoy and be aware of your sixth sense on your way through the story. 07 - When writing a script, dialogue should never be too long. Other than a few monologues, or moments, keep it short and sweet. Also, read the dialogue aloud by yourself or with the cast, this is a simple effective way to see if it works. 08 - When adapting a novel, you’ll always lose some content. However, a good adaptation rides the fine line between cutting side content and keeping smaller meaningful moments that enrich the story. 09 - Being a writer is not a career for those who wish to be stable. It is a massive risk in every way. A true writer, even during the lows of their career, will never stop storytelling. It is essential to whom they are. So, from a beginner to a bestseller, never stop writing. 10 - The ending to an act is fundamental to keeping the audience engaged with your story. Leaving it on a cliff-hanger, or teasing the audience with a different outcome can be the best way to break up converging storylines and finished acts.  Follow us on our main Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/outstanding.screenplays Follow us on our video Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/outstandingscreenplays Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/outscreenplays Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/outstandingscreenplays Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/outstandingscreenplays #GeorgeRRMartin #GameOfThrones #Writing #screenwriting #screenwriter #screenplay #screenwritingtips