Hanna Woods Elementary School’s librarian said that when her colleagues first heard Judy Young at a conference two years ago, they were inspired by the author’s ability to deconstruct the writing process.

In particular, librarian Rosemary Trotier said, she appreciated Young’s ability to approach writing as a simple thought process.

“She talks about how writing isn’t hard if you don’t think thinking is hard,” Trotier said.

In a series of small forums throughout the day Tuesday, Young engaged students with a combination of storytelling and interactive activities intended to explain how writers work and how students can improve their own writing.

Part of that process is research, Young said, which preceded virtually all of her 11 books published to date. The author’s personal favorite, “A Book for Black-Eyed Susan”, follows a 10 year-old girl’s journey across the Oregon Trail in which she and her sister were estranged.

Young said that while that book, which is roughly aimed at readers around ages 8 through 10, may contain heavier themes than typical children’s books, it remains a standout because of its narrative and its lessons, which have applications well beyond the book’s historical settings, Young said.

“There are so many books that are very candy coated about what actually happened in history,” Young said. “But kids are really interested in what things were really like back then, and I think kids can handle that."

“Kids do lose their parents or people that they love, or are separated for various different reasons … and it gives them something they can relate to and say ‘I’m not the only one out there.’”

Among the students who heard Young speak Tuesday was Porter Cowan, 8, and his 5 year-old sister, Jessie.

Porter, a precocious 2^nd grader who was heading to chess club after school Tuesday, selected a copy of Young's “The Hidden Bestiary of Marvelous, Mysterious and (maybe even) Magical Creatures” among the books he and his sister wanted Young to sign before taking home.

“Please address it to The Cowan Family,” he said.

And the best advice Young can give to aspiring authors of any age?

“To read, and to think,” Young said. “If you’re reading and you’re thinking, you’re going to come up with creative ideas.”