At a recent event at the Sydney Opera House, A Game of Thrones author George R. R. Martin shared ten tips for writing fantasy. Here is the list; click through to Chris Jager’s Lifehacker article for the details:

• Don’t limit your imagination
• Choose your point-of-view characters to broaden the narrative’s scope
• It’s okay to “borrow” from history
• On believable POVs
• Grief is a powerful tool — but don’t overdo it
• Violence should have consequences — so spare nothing!
• Avoid fantasy cliches
• On creating “grey” characters
• Juggling lots of characters takes skill — and luck
• Remember: Winter is coming