'Game of Thrones' Author George R.R. Martin Reveals The Inspiration Behind His Books Like 'Winds Of Winter'

Author George R.R. Martin and his epic fantasy novels “A Song of Ice and Fire” are some of the most talked-about subjects in modern pop culture. The same can be said of the hit HBO show “Game of Thrones,” which is based on Martin’s books. In a small chat with New York Jets player D’Brickashaw Ferguson on Wednesday, the author spoke about the influences behind his stories and the inspiration behind his books, including the much-awaited “Winds of Winter.”

“I love to read history, popular history, the stories of the wars and the betrayals and the kings and the murders and the poisonings — it's great material," said the famous author. He spoke to Ferguson, a self-confessed “Game of Thrones” fan, while he visited the Jets' training camp on Wednesday.

Martin explained that he drew inspiration from real historical events as well as fictional works that are also set in the medieval era. He dropped the name William Shakespeare, and said he finds “Richard III” a fascinating play. He says that it has played a part in influencing his own writing.

Well-known for lurid plots involving murder, intrigue, scandal, fornication, violence and the like, Martin explains that these are things that he’s seen in real-life history. The big difference between history and his works of fiction is that the ending is unknown in his works.

He explains that in history, everyone knows the ending. In “A Song of Ice and Fire,” he used similar themes and just added a few dragons and other mystical creatures. What engages his audience is the shock factor and the unknown ending. This is why the sixth installment in the series, a book called “Winds of Winter,” is so highly anticipated.

“If you read history, you know how it's going to end, you know who wins the battles, you know who gets murdered and who the murderer is. So I wanted to take those same ideas and that same feel but use it in fantasy, where you don’t know how it is all going to come out,” he explained.

In the same interview, Martin admitted that he feels the pressure to finish the book. No release date has been set for the book. However, the TV series “Game of Thrones” has already begun filming for Season 6.