Happy Birthday, George R.R. Martin! George Raymond Richard Martin turns 71 years old today. Here are five br fun facts about the br fantasy novelist. 1. He made money as a kid br by selling monster stories. 2. He credits comic books for inspiring him to start writing. 3. Martin's first piece br of published writing was br a fan letter in a 'Fantastic br Four' comic book. 4. HBO’s 'Game of Thrones' is based on his br ‘A Song of Ice and Fire' book series. 5. Martin bought a home br across the street from his br own in Santa Fe and built br a library tower inside. Happy Birthday, br George R.R.