Utah author Brandon Sanderson set to release final installment of much-loved Wheel of Time series

Sanderson has been an industrious worker these past five years. In addition to finishing the three final books of the Wheel of Time series, he published four middle grade fantasy books, four novels, three novellas and a young adult novel set to come out in May. All the while he engaged in a weekly broadcast, "Writing Excuses," participated in several writing conferences, taught a creative writing class at Brigham Young University one semester per year and had a family.

Sanderson attributes his ability to accomplish so much to the strong pioneer work ethic his parents taught him.

"It was kind of baffling to (my parents) that I took all of this work ethic they taught me and I turned it into a job I spend daydreaming, but it really does work on the same principle. You've got to practice," said Sanderson.

With an emphasis on helping others who want to become authors, Sanderson has devoted a significant amount of time to the writing community. His award-winning weekly podcast, "Writing Excuses," is a 15-minute pick-me-up about one writing topic per episode, designed to help amateur writers. A set of Youtube videos of his BYU lectures are also available online at writeaboutdragons.com.

While attending BYU as an undergraduate student, Sanderson took a course taught by fantasy novelist Dave Wolverton, a class which he feels was invaluable to his writing education and one of the reasons he feels the need to give back to the writing community. "Being able to actually talk to a real writer and listen to them was so useful that I feel like I need to take the chances I get to do the same thing for other writers because there are so few opportunities for that."

Becoming good at any endeavor takes a lot of time investment, according to Sanderson. He wrote 13 books before publishing one.

"The biggest (advice to aspiring writers) is just to practice. If you really want to do this, look at other people who excel in their fields and ask yourself, 'how much time did they take?' … These things take time and practice and hours, and if you want to learn to do that, you want to be a writer professionally, you're going to have to spend that time."

For more information on Sanderson or to read one of his novels, "Warbreaker," for free, visit www.brandonsanderson.com. Click here to read the first chapter of "A Memory of Light" on Tor.com.

If you go...

What: "A Memory of Light" release party

When: Monday, Jan. 7, 8 p.m.- Tuesday, Jan. 8, 4 a.m.

Where: Brigham Young University Bookstore, Provo, and Provo High School auditorium, 1125 N. University Ave., Provo,

Web: www.brandonsanderson.com/events

Schedule:

7:30 a.m.: BYU Bookstore employees will hand out numbers to people in line

7:50 a.m.: Books can be bought in the bookstore and tickets picked up until 8 p.m.

7 p.m.: Provo High School auditorium opens for seating

8 p.m.: Reading and Q&A with Brandon Sanderson, Harriet McDougal who is Robert Jordan's widow, and Maria Simons, who was Robert Jordan's assistant, at Provo High School

10:30 p.m.: Meet and greet at the BYU bookstore with Brandon, trivia contests, prizes

11:45 p.m.: Lines begin in numerical order from tickets received earlier in the day

Midnight - 4 a.m.: Book pick-up and signing

Notes: All books are pre-signed, but Brandon Sanderson will personalize up to three books per person. Lines for books and personalizations at midnight will be ordered by ticket numbers picked up from the bookstore beginning at 7:30 a.m. on Jan. 7. Tickets are first come, first serve. Books must be prepaid for, but you can prepay at the bookstore from 7:50 a.m.-8 p.m. For pre-ordered books online, bring your receipt or confirmation number as proof of purchase.

Also ...

What: Brandon Sanderson book signing

When: Friday, Feb. 1, 7 p.m.

Where: Weller Book Works, 607 Trolley Square, Salt Lake City

Web: www.brandonsanderson.com, www.samwellers.com

Email: ajones@desnews.com