def writer(element_pairs):
            from libdvid import DVIDNodeService, Vertex, Edge

            # write graph information
            node_service = DVIDNodeService(str(server), str(uuid))

            if element_pairs is None:
                return

            vertices = []
            edges = []
            for element_pair in element_pairs:
                edge, weight = element_pair
                v1, v2 = edge

                if v2 == -1:
                    vertices.append(Vertex(v1, weight))
                else:
                    edges.append(Edge(v1, v2, weight))

            if len(vertices) > 0:
                node_service.update_vertices(str(graph_name), vertices)

            if len(edges) > 0:
                node_service.update_edges(str(graph_name), edges)

            return []