He's sold more than 50 million books. There's 'some little Utah connection' in many of them. - The Salt Lake Tribune

It's been very hot today. I just can't stay awake.

Panzer made a stop at The Salt Lake Tribune site today. There our intrepid kitty traveler found a post about bestselling fantasy author Brandon Sanderson.

 

The post begins with how and why he became an author. It then continues with where he gets his ideas and setting locations from. The post also includes a link to a Youtube interview with him.

 

 Panzer says, "It's interesting where some of his ideas come from."

 

Note: This is a long post with the interview on Youtube. You'll need to decide what you want to bring to snack on.

 

To read the post tootle over to Utah Inspiration 

Free Podcast episode: ChatGPT and Creating Fiction · Writer's Fun Zone

Today Panzer went to the Writer's Fun Zone. There he visited fantasy and science fiction novelist Beth Barany's  How To Write The Future podcast. Last week Panzer told you about AI uses for narrating novels, but this podcast is about using it for writing.

 

Episode 29 of the podcast, ChatGPT and Creating Fiction, consists of a lesson demonstrating how she uses ChatGPT in her writing. She uses it to create a story summary, to create a shorter story summary. to create a character arc, and more character enhancements. She explains the instructions as she gives them to ChatGPT. Show Notes and a Transcript of the episode are included below the audio broadcast. The podcast is free.

 

Will AI take over the world?

Panzer says, "It's an informative episode, but you do need to read the Transcript to understand what she's talking about."

 

Note:The episode is 16 minutes long. Bring a cup of cocoa for today's podcast.

 

To read the post tootle over to  ChatGPT

To read Panzer's previous post tootle over to  AI writing

Fantasy Novelist Terry Goodkind Dies at 72 - Publishers Weekly

 Today over at Publishers Weekly, Panzer learned of the death of Terry Goodkind. 

 

In the post Calvin Reid reports bestselling fantasy author Terry Goodkind died on September 17. The post includes information about his novels and writing influences.

I'll miss his books.

Panzer says, "Mom has read all of his series Sword of Truth books to me."

 

To read the post tootle over to Terry Goodkind

 

Strange Days - George R.R. Martin

Today Panzer decided to check in at fantasy author George R.R. Martin's site Not A Blog. If you're a fantasy fan you'll know he's the author behind the TV series Game of Thrones.

It's not allowed in my yard.

According to his post, fantasy author Martin has gone into self-isolation because of the coronavirus (Covid-19). He's doing fine, but is in the high risk group based on his age and preexisting health issues. He's spending his time writing. He has closed his theater and classes, but his bookstore is still open both physically and online. There's even a link to the bookstore included in the post.

Panzer says, "When What's His Name was whining about being bored, I heard Mom tell him, 'We all have to do what we have to do to stay safe.'"

Note: This is a longish post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin for today's reading selection.

To read the post tootle over to Strange Days

Fantasy Author Brandan Barr

 Panzer and I got some bad news today.

We received fantasy author Brandan Barr email newsletter this morning. The leukemia he has been fighting for the past few years has returned. His doctors have informed him there is no further treatment available and he only has a few weeks to a couple of months left to live.

Over the last few years even while battling cancer and the effects of his treatments Brandon continued to write his novels. Author friends have now stepped in to help him finish the last two novels in his series which were already outlined and begun. Another of his novels is being fast-tracked so he can see it come out in November.

Brandon is married and has three young children.  A GoFundMe page with more information about Brandon and his family has been setup for his wife and children.

If you would like to help them, go to the Brandon Barr Family GoFundMe

Ursula K. Le Guin, Acclaimed for her Fantasy Fiction, Is Dead at 88 - The New York Times

Panzer is a sad kitty today. He learned at The New York Times site that one of his favorite fantasy authors, Ursula K. Le Guin,  has passed away.

According to the obituary by Gerald Jonas, Ursula K. Le Guin, author of The Lathe of Heaven and The Left Hand of Darkness, died on January 22 in her Portland, Oregon home at 88 years old.

Panzer says, "The Lathe of Heaven was one of this little kitty's favorite books when he was a kitten."

Note: This is a very l-o-n-g post.

To read the post tootle over to Ursula K. Le Guin