Fantasy writer gives in, reads the competition

PROVO — Despite feeling a twinge of jealousy when he thinks of J. K. Rowling's success, author Brandon Sanderson said he loves the "Harry Potter" series.

"I held off reading it because it's so (popular)," said Sanderson, a Provo fantasy writer. He finally broke down and started reading the series after the fourth book came out.

"I felt like 'Oh darn it! It's good,"' he said. "I'm a big fan now."

Sanderson, who has published two fantasy fiction novels, "Elantris" and "Mistborn: The Final Empire," knew he wanted to be a writer after reading "Dragonsbane" by Barbara Hambly.

A teacher, ironically named Mrs. Reader, introduced him to the book at a time when he wasn't interested in reading. "She said, 'You're kind of a strange guy, read this,"' Sanderson said.

He did, and it changed his view of reading forever.

"It just blew me away and after that I was a total fantasy nerd," said Sanderson, who now has 80,000 copies of his books in print. "I read every book I could get my hands on."

Despite his infatuation with all things fantasy, Sanderson does have some favorites outside the genre.

"'Pride and Prejudice' is wonderful," he said. "I'm an English major, so I can say that as a man."