Fantasy author speaks to pupils about writing

By D.A. Wilkinson

Alan St. John is the author of the ‘Aidan of Oren’ trilogy.

SALEM — Author Alan St. Jean was explaining one of his characters to pupils.

“I’m not saying he’s good or bad,” St. Jean said Thursday. “But you will never, ever, ever forget Simon.”

St. John paused and added, “Ever.”

Sixth-graders at Southeast Elementary were hanging on his every word about his trilogy: “Aidan of Oren — The Journey Begins,” “Aidan of Oren — The Elf Princess,” and “Aidan of Oren — Valley of the Dragons.”

Principal Ed Jenkins said the series is in the same vein as the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy that was wildly successful in print and movies.

That helps explain why St. Jean’s comments to the pupils included, “My slant is that an elf speaks in rhyme all the time.”

In the modern world aimed at degrees and high tech jobs, St. Jean told the kids they can enjoy reading and writing prose and poetry on their own.

“Put it in a book and it can be read over and over again,” he told them.

The author had a career in business before turning to writing. When he finished his first effort, a publisher told him he would have to rewrite it.

St. Jean said there was no way he was going to do that. But he did.

“All writing is about writing over and over again,” he said.

Mary Beth Shivers, a sixth-grade teacher, said the pupils had taken part in various activities based on the characters in the books.

That included younger pupils coloring prints of the artwork on the cover of St. Jean’s books, and poster-size creations by the older kids.

Jenkins said they also created poems, drawings and maps as part of the project.

Shivers said that just bringing a writer to the school created a lot of enthusiasm.

All the pupils met with St. Jean at an assembly in the morning. He then met with different classes.

Sixth-grader Autumn Behon, 12, was able to briefly talk one on one with the author between sessions. Behon had already begun her own writing project before St. Jean traveled from Battle Creek, Mich., for the day-long effort. She said she hopes to eventually have her work published.

Jenkins said that when he worked in the Howland School District, he was able to bring in eight authors. When he raised the idea in Salem, the staff ran with it.

“The teachers started to take 10 minutes a day and read to the kids. That makes kids lifelong readers,” he said. “They heard what was read, and that brings it to life.”

wilkinson@vindy.com