I wouldn't say ASOIAF is full of nothing but cruel characters just doing cruel things for the sake of it. They all have their own separate motivations for the things they do. I get the sense that this is a dangerous world with lots of ambitious people. Of all the main characters, I'd say only Joffrey seems cruel just for the sake of it. He has no rhyme or reason for what he does, which makes him all that more horrifying. However, some of the other characters who have done cruel things, such as Cersei, has her own motivations and reasons for doing things the way she has.
I think the key for having a gritty world that people can connect with is in the characters. Anyone can just write something with lots of cursing, killing, and sex in it. It's like the horror genre has a lot to offer as well. But a lot of people only think of the grotesque stuff that comes with it and not the characters, emotions, etc.
I think the key for having a gritty world that people can connect with is in the characters. Anyone can just write something with lots of cursing, killing, and sex in it. It's like the horror genre has a lot to offer as well. But a lot of people only think of the grotesque stuff that comes with it and not the characters, emotions, etc.