Author: Tammy Lane • First Posted: Wednesday, April 15, 2009

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Kentucky-born author Paul Brett Johnson invited two boys to help him explain the publishing process. Chris Brown (left) played the role of the editor considering a manuscript submitted by Rayny Palmer.

For Makenzie Carroll and Keionna Bailey, hearing a real-live author talk about how to publish a book reinforced something they’d already learned at Mary Todd Elementary School: The difference between writing and good writing is rewriting.

Makenzie, a third-grader, figured that one out earlier this year while working on her original story “Molly Gets Rid of Her Shyness,” which she revised several times. After Paul Brett Johnson’s talk Tuesday, Makenzie confirmed that “being a writer is harder than it looks.”

Keionna, a fifth-grader who might want to be a newspaper reporter one day, agreed. “When you’re writing a story, you shouldn’t just go with the first idea” that comes to mind, she said.

Keionna was also intrigued when Johnson talked about conceiving and creating his illustrations. “It was kind of cool,” she said after his flip-book explanation of the yellow, magenta, blue and black plates needed on the printing press.

A native of the Appalachian Mountains, Johnson has published more than 20 books for children. His work has garnered numerous honors, including two Kentucky Bluegrass Awards and a California Young Readers’ Medal. These days, he also talks with schoolchildren about his craft.

“I hope they get fired up about reading and writing,” Johnson said. “I try to fuel their own creativity and get the juices flowing and make them feel good about themselves as readers and writers.”

He spoke three times at Mary Todd Elementary – to grades K-2 and grades 3-5 in separate assemblies, then later at the monthly Family Literacy Night.

During his presentation, Johnson invited a couple of boys up front to walk through the publishing process. He played the part of the mailman delivering a writer’s manuscript to an editor for consideration. “It’s tough,” Johnson warned. “There’s lots of competition out there.”

It all begins with a simple idea, he said. “Before you start a book, you have to have a story,” he told students gathered in the school gym. People, places, conversations – everything provides a bank of ideas for real-life stories, fantasy and tall tales. “Ideas all by themselves aren’t stories. In stories, something has to happen.”

But sometimes authors get stuck; that’s when free-association activities like “What if …” can help. The kids sitting crossed-legged on the floor caught on quickly. “What if it rained pigs?” someone suggested. Each answer leads to another question, and soon the story practically writes itself.

Makenzie said the next time she gets frustrated with her writing, “I’m going to find a friend and try that ‘what if’ game.”

Johnson’s parting advice to the young authors? “Just let your imagination go.”