David Patneaude, a writer of mystery stories for teens and young adults, says he once figured writers are born into their craft.

After getting his first book published past the age of 40, Patneaude changed his mind.

He and fellow author Laura McGee Kvasnosky were two of the celebrated writers leading discussions at the annual Cougar-Wolf Writing Conference at Helen Haller and Greywolf elementary schools last week.

Kvasnosky, a children’s book author and illustrator from Seattle, led workshops titled “Our Own Stories,” talking about how the writing process unfolds, and answering questions.

Patneaude, a Woodinville resident, did much the same, explaining how he grew to enjoy writing in his later years after not enjoying it as a student, detailing how to cultivate and grow ideas, dealing with publisher’s rejection letters and handling the all-important editing process.