“Never forget what you are, for surely the world will not. Make it your strength. Then it can never be your weakness. Armour yourself in it, and it will never be used to hurt you.”

American fantasy author and screenwriter, best known for his epic fantasy series *A Song of Ice and Fire*, which has defined modern fantasy literature. His intricate world-building and morally complex characters have influenced generations of writers and readers, while his work on *Game of Thrones* has made him a central figure in contemporary storytelling.