George R. R. Martin’s Game of Thrones became a global phenomenon and reshaped how readers and writers view epic fantasy. Its gritty realism, morally complex characters, and intricate world-building offered something far richer than dragons and swords.
If you’re looking to write a fantasy novel with the same emotional depth and narrative complexity, you don’t need to copy Martin. Instead, learn from the structure, techniques, and themes that made Game of Thrones unforgettable—and apply them to your own voice.
This blog will guide you through the storytelling methods behind the series and how you can build an epic that feels just as bold and immersive.
What Makes Game of Thrones a Masterclass in Epic Fantasy
To write a book “like” Game of Thrones, you must first understand what actually sets it apart. It’s not just the violence, the shocking deaths, or even the dragons. What makes Martin’s series a standout is the complexity: sprawling plots, real-world consequences, political realism, and morally gray characters.
It’s epic fantasy grounded in human choices—where magic exists, but politics rules. Every twist, every betrayal, and every war is rooted in motivations that feel believable, even when they’re brutal. That’s your goal: to create a story where fantasy supports, not replaces, the human drama.
Key Steps to Writing a Book Like Game of Thrones
Writing something of this scale may seem intimidating, but when broken down into clear steps, it becomes much more achievable. Here’s how to build an epic that feels just as immersive and compelling.
1. Build a Complex, Lived-In World
The strength of Game of Thrones lies not only in its characters but also in the richness of its setting. Westeros isn’t just a fantasy map—it’s a world shaped by centuries of conflict, culture, class systems, and belief.
To do the same:
- Develop a history that includes wars, revolutions, and dynastic changes.
- Create regional cultures that differ in speech, dress, and values.
- Define religious systems and how they influence politics.
- Think about economy, trade routes, and how geography affects strategy.
A believable world should function even without your characters in it. Let the world feel as though it existed long before your story began—and will go on after it ends.
2. Create Flawed, Human Characters
One of Martin’s most praised qualities is his ability to write deeply flawed characters who feel painfully real. No one is completely good or evil—everyone is shaped by ambition, loyalty, fear, and survival.
Your characters should:
- Have internal conflicts (duty vs. love, revenge vs. justice).
- Make mistakes—and face consequences.
- Grow, regress, and surprise the reader.
- Stay consistent to their motivations, even if their actions are unpredictable.
Readers stay hooked when they don’t know what a character might do next—not because it’s random, but because it’s human.
3. Weave Political and Social Intrigue
If you strip away the dragons, Game of Thrones is, at its heart, a political thriller. It explores how power is won, held, or lost—and at what cost.
To capture this in your book:
- Build factions with opposing goals and hidden agendas.
- Let characters manipulate, betray, and strategize—not just fight.
- Include class struggles, regional tensions, and ideological rifts.
- Explore the ripple effect of power decisions—on families, armies, and ordinary people.
It’s not just who sits on the throne—it’s who’s pulling strings behind the curtain that makes your story unpredictable.
4. Use Multiple POVs for Depth and Scope
Martin’s use of rotating point-of-view characters lets readers experience the same world through multiple lenses. It creates layered tension and a broader emotional investment.
Here’s how to make this work:
- Choose a few key POV characters with unique roles (e.g., ruler, rebel, spy, knight).
- Give each a strong, individual voice.
- Let readers know things your characters don’t—this builds suspense and dramatic irony.
- Allow stories to intersect or collide naturally.
Rotating perspectives lets you cover a huge world without info-dumping—and it deepens reader connection across the board.
5. Subvert Expectations Thoughtfully
Game of Thrones became famous (or infamous) for killing beloved characters and flipping typical story arcs. But this only worked because the choices felt true to the world and the characters involved.
To do this without gimmicks:
- Use foreshadowing—lay subtle clues early on.
- Allow the worst-case scenario to happen sometimes.
- Don’t protect characters just because they’re likable.
- Avoid predictable resolutions—complex stories deserve messy outcomes.
The key is to keep the tension real. When readers know anything can happen, they keep turning pages.
6. Introduce Magic Slowly and Strategically
Magic exists in A Song of Ice and Fire, but it’s rare, feared, and misunderstood. That restraint is what makes it powerful.
Here’s how to use magic in a grounded way:
- Set clear limits—magic should not solve every problem.
- Introduce it through myths, symbols, or side stories before it becomes real.
- Let magic raise the stakes, not lower them.
- Tie magic into the world’s history or religion for deeper meaning.
The less your magic explains, the more mystique it holds—and the more seriously your readers will take it.
7. Plan Long-Term, But Write in the Present
Even if Martin didn’t finish A Song of Ice and Fire (yet), it’s clear he had a long-term vision. The scope of his storytelling came from planting seeds early and letting them grow across books.
To do the same:
- Sketch out your story’s major arcs and themes.
- Know your beginning, middle, and likely end—even if it changes.
- Use symbols, dialogue, or plot devices that reappear with new meaning.
- Let the world and characters evolve as the story progresses.
Think like a chess player—plan a few moves ahead, but adapt when things shift.
Developing Your Own Voice (Not Just Imitating GRRM)
You don’t need to write like George R. R. Martin to build a book that feels epic. In fact, the worst mistake you can make is to try to copy his tone, style, or world too directly.
Instead:
- Learn from his strengths: world-building, character depth, and narrative tension.
- Keep your voice—whether it’s lyrical, gritty, humorous, or minimalist.
- Tell the story only you can tell, with the tools that make your writing shine.
Remember, people love Game of Thrones not because it’s fantasy, but because it feels true. Let your own truth come through your storytelling.
Final Thoughts on Writing Your Own Epic
Writing a book like Game of Thrones isn’t about copying Martin’s world—it’s about learning from what made it unforgettable: layered characters, immersive worlds, political tension, and fearless storytelling.
You don’t need a medieval setting or dragons. What you do need is the courage to take your story seriously—to think big, go deep, and trust your voice. Build your own version of an epic—one where readers don’t just turn pages, they live inside your world.
FAQs
Q1: Do I need to write a series to match Game of Thrones’ scale?
Not necessarily. While epics often span multiple books, you can write a single-volume story with layered plots. What matters is depth, not length.
Q2: How long should my fantasy book be?
Most epic fantasies start around 100,000–150,000 words. Focus on telling the story well—don’t pad or rush just to meet a word count.
Q3: Can I still use common fantasy tropes?
Yes—but twist them. Subvert reader expectations. Use familiar elements in new ways to keep your world fresh and unpredictable.
Q4: What if I don’t know my whole plot yet?
That’s okay. Start with key arcs and world rules. You can discover more as you go—just be ready to revise and restructure if needed.
