Interesting facts about GoT author George RR Martin

George R.R. Martin is known for the TV series Game of Thrones (GoT) which is adapted from his epic fantasy book series 'A Song of Fire and Ice'. Take a sneak-peek behind his pacy novels and know more about your favourite author through these facts:

Early life:
He was Born on September 20, 1948 to Raymond Collins Martin and Margaret Brady Martin in Bayonne, New Jersey. A Catholic by birth, Martin says his original name was short of one 'R'. 'I arrived short one “R” but fixed that at my confirmation thirteen years later' he tells on his official website. George R.R. Martin has two sisters-- Darleen Martin Lapinski and Janet Martin Patten,both younger to him.
(Pic: Getty Images)

Amateur writing:

Martin started writing at a very young age. He even sold monster stories to other neighborhood kids along with their dramatic readings for pennies. In high school, he became a comic book fan and collector. At this time, he also started writing fiction for amateur comic fan magazines.
(Pic: Getty Images)

Selling the first story:

His first professional sale was made at the age of 21 in the year 1970. He sold 'The Hero' to Galaxy, which got published in February, 1971 issue. This, of course, was just the beginning. He later wrote his first novel 'Dying of the Light' that got published in 1977.

Education:

Martin received a B.S. in Journalism from Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois in 1970. A year later he completed a M.S. in Journalism from the same university.
(Pic: Getty Images)

Early career:

Throughout the 1970s, Martin wrote part-time. He also worked as a VISTA Volunteer, chess director, and Journalism instructor during this period. In 1979, he became a full-time writer.
(Pic: Getty Images)

Moving to Hollywood:

'Martin signed on as a story editor for Twilight Zone at CBS Television in 1986. In 1987 Martin became an Executive Story Consultant for Beauty and the Beast at CBS. In 1988 he became a Producer for Beauty and the Beast, then in 1989 moved up to Co-Supervising Producer. He was Executive Producer for Doorways, a pilot which he wrote for Columbia Pictures Television, which was filmed during 1992-93,' reads a statement on his official website.
(Pic: Getty Images)

Personal life:

His first marriage was with Gale Burnick in 1975 but they divorced in 1979, with no kids. He later married Parris McBride in 2011 and they live together in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
(Pic: George RR Martin with wife Parris; Getty Images)

George R.R. Martin's inspirations for 'Game of Thrones':

Martin graduated in from school in 1962.'“Honor, Not Honors” was the school motto. Maybe that’s where Eddard Stark came from. I should really borrow that motto for one of the noble houses of Westeros,' he reveals on his website.
(Pic: hbo.com)

George R.R. Martin's inspirations for 'Game of Thrones':

His first pet cat with his wife Parris was named Mulligan aka Mully. Martin later named a brother of the Night's Watch in GoT after him!
(Pic: Getty Images)

George R.R. Martin's inspirations for 'Game of Thrones':

For writing the best-selling GOT series, George R.R Martin did quite a lot of research. Some of the books which he found useful are--

'For anything military, one good place to start is with the Osprey series of illustrated reference books... Some other good stuff can be found in: The Medieval Soldier by Gerry Embleton & John Howe, A Distant Mirror by Barbara Tuchman, Medieval Swordmanship by John Clements, The Medieval Warfare Source Book by David Nicolle, Life in a Medieval Castle and Life in a Medieval City both by Joseph and Frances Gies, The Dictionary of Heraldry by Joseph Foster, Tournaments by Richard Barber & Juliet Barker, Great Cities of the Ancient World by L. Sprague de Camp, The Chronicles of England, France, Spain, and other places adjoining by Sir Jean Froissart,' a statement reads on his official website.

He further adds, 'Those are just the tip of the iceberg. There are also specialized books that focus on things like Fools and Jesters, Medieval Feasts, the Knights Templar, and the history of the Hundred Years War or the Wars of the Roses.'
(Pic: George RR Martin with the star cast of GoT; Getty Images)