11/04/2026
What does it take to turn an idea into a book? Emerson Elementary School students recently got to hear it straight from the source.
Wisconsin author Miranda Paul spent the day at Emerson, working with students in grades PreK-5 and sharing the stories, research, and creative thinking behind her books.
During the workshop with students in grades 3-5, Miranda pulled back the curtain on the writing process. She talked about where her ideas come from, how she researches topics that haven't been written about before, what happens when inspiration runs dry, and how to work through rejection and keep moving forward.
One of the best examples? Her book One Plastic Bag took 12 years to go from an idea to a published book. Twelve years of learning, researching, revisiting an idea, and sticking with it. That's a powerful lesson for young writers: meaningful ideas are worth pursuing, and sometimes the best work takes time.
The visit continued that evening with Emerson's Literacy Night, bringing students, families, and community partners together. Families enjoyed dinner, a book walk, and a craft hosted by the La Crosse Public Library. Miranda also shared a keynote, and every child went home with a free Miranda Paul book.
Having a Wisconsin author spend time with our students is a special opportunity. They got to meet a real writer, hear the stories behind the books, ask questions, and see firsthand what curiosity, creativity, and perseverance can accomplish.
A big thank-you to Bree Moore-Lawrence and the Emerson team for creating this experience, Miranda Paul for sharing her time and talents, and the La Crosse Public Library for helping make the evening special.
Who knows? One of the students in that room may have an idea today that someday becomes a book on someone else's shelf.
