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Minnesota author Abby Cooper on Friday visited Southwest Middle School to talk to the students about being a writer. Southwest Middle School students read Cooper’s 2016 book, “Sticks and Stones,” this year.

“It’s just really fun to actually meet readers of the books I write because they just have so much enthusiasm and excitement,” Cooper said.

Originally from Plymouth, Cooper now lives in St. Louis Park with her husband, son and dog.

Cooper covered many different topics during her talk with the students.

She told them about starting to write books as a young elementary student, continuing to pursue writing throughout her school career and eventually completing her first novel.

She also talked about the long road it took to get her finished book published. The story included getting rejected by agents 70 times before finding someone to represent her.

Her hard work paid off, she said, as she is now a professional author. “Sticks and Stones” is even available in German and Greek.

Cooper spoke at two sessions, one for sixth-graders and one for seventh-graders. After each session there was a short question-and-answer time for the students. Many of the students were enthusiastic about her book they had read and wanted to know if she planned to do any more with the characters and story, like a prequel or sequel. She said she had not decided yet, but it gave her something to think about.

Following the two sessions, Cooper also spoke with English-Language Arts students who showed special interest in writing. Here, she was able to give a little more specific insight on the craft.

Cooper said she used to be a teacher and enjoys getting back into the classroom to work with students.

Cooper has written four books, all targeted towards students from about fourth through seventh grade. She said one of her favorite things about visiting with students is encouraging them to read and write.

“It’s fun to … remind them that they, too, have important voices and things to say and that they can and should write their own stories, too,” she said.