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I just finished reading the Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater. Maggie has been an online associate of mine for several years now, but after her last series came out, we’ve been in touch less frequently. I guess when I have 17,346 followers on Twitter, I’ll have a hard time keeping up on correspondence with people, too. I already struggle to do so. I can’t imagine being able to keep track of so large a following at all.

But I digress. Back to the Scorpio Races. I don’t know if you are aware, but this title was an ALAYM winner this year. Since I had planned to read it when Maggie started talking about it as a “sekrit project” I figured I should pop over to the local library and grab a copy. I know my librarian often purchases award winners for the children’s section, so I was fairly confident I’d see it on the shelves.

I get a lot of books to review throughout the year, but on occasions such as this, I read a book just for my own personal pleasure. No note taking, no keeping track of things to speak about later when I write the review.

But I’ve noticed something in recent year, even with books I’m reading just for personal enjoyment.

When I read a book now, I notice and digest the way the author puts their words on the page. I dissect the feel of the word flow into its many pieces and mull over how I can utilize the turn of phrase in one of my current works-in-progress. I observed myself doing this with the Scorpio Races quite frequently. Maggie has such a way with language. And I got to thinking, do other writers working on their own craft and style, do this as well? At what point did I go from a reader who writes to a writer who reads? Is this something that happens to all serious writers?

I’d love to hear what you have to say. Please leave me a comment with your opinion.

This week’s coloring page is a request from a 9 year-old fan from New Jersey. A unicorn jumping over a star with a rainbow trailing behind. I hope you all enjoy coloring it!

Click on the image to get your 8.5X11 download coloring page.

I love to hear from you. Emails, comments and your colored pages make my day.

Email your colored image (less than 1mb) to coloringpage (at) handcraftedpagan (dot) com and I’ll post it to my blog!

Do you have a special request for a coloring page? Let me know either via an email or through one of my social networking sites. I’m on Twitter and Facebook. Let me know that you found me here in a message so I know why you’re following me.

I send out coloring pages to let people know about me, my art and my children’s books. Help support my efforts by spreading the word or buying any of my books. Please stop by any of my social networking sites to leave me a message (here is good too!) and let me know how you like the coloring pages. Remember, I provide these pages free of charge for your own personal use. Do not reproduce them or use them for any other purpose without my written permission.

Sign up to receive alerts when a new coloring page is posted each week and/or click here to view more coloring pages!

I’ve been an avid viewer of the popular Sunday night series “Downton Abbey” on PBS. It’s not often that my TV viewing tastes coincide with a huge population, but this show has hit some pretty impressive numbers.

As a story-teller myself, I wonder what makes a show catch fire and take off.

What exactly is the secret formula? Is it the characters, the story, the scenery or a combination of them all?

The things that make Downton Abbey successful are also present in simplified form in children’s literature.

For example: in last night’s episode the younger daughter, who has lost her purpose as a wounded soldiers’ nurse, arrived at a life altering decision to get married. This is a big deal in and of itself, but there is added drama and story layering in this specific situation because she’s the lord’s daughter and her intended is the chauffeur. OMG! Not the help! The expected drama of her older relations becoming angry and forbidding the marriage plays itself out during the episode, but with a twist at the end.

Of course, in an adult drama such as this there are many such threads going on at the same time. In a picture book, there is usually only one main theme. But the drama that is present in the above situation can make for a compelling narrative in a children’s book as well.

What are some of your favorite kids’ books? Can you pick out the drama initiation, the build up of the emotions and the climax when the story resolves? Do books without this story development work?

Click on the image to get your 8.5X11 download coloring page.

I love to hear from you. Emails, comments and your colored pages make my day.

Email your colored image (less than 1mb) to coloringpage (at) handcraftedpagan (dot) com and I’ll post it to my blog!

Do you have a special request for a coloring page? Let me know either via an email or through one of my social networking sites. I’m on Twitter and Facebook. Let me know that you found me here in a message so I know why you’re following me.

I send out coloring pages to let people know about me, my art and my children’s books. Help support my efforts by spreading the word or buying any of my books. Please stop by any of my social networking sites to leave me a message (here is good too!) and let me know how you like the coloring pages. Remember, I provide these pages free of charge for your own personal use. Do not reproduce them or use them for any other purpose without my written permission.

According to the Farmers’ Almanac, the traditional name for the full moon in February is the Deep Snow or Hunger Moon. Some other places also refer to this month’s moon as the Wolf Moon. What is more iconic than a Snowy owl flying across a wintry sky to decorate this week’s coloring page?

It seems strange to look outside with this in mind and see the daffodils poking their heads out from the ground. Meanwhile in other parts of the country, the snow is deeper than it’s been in decades.

Here in Missouri, there’s been no real winter to speak of, it’s been more of an extended fall. To a North East native, I feel as if I’m waiting for the season to start. On the other hand, there is absolutely no reason why I can’t take my daily walk to the library and back.

Click on the image to get your 8.5X11 download coloring page.

I love to hear from you. Emails, comments and your colored pages make my day.

Email your colored image (less than 1mb) to coloringpage (at) handcraftedpagan (dot) com and I’ll post it to my blog!

Sign up to receive alerts when a new coloring page is posted each week and/or click here to view more coloring pages!

Do you have a special request for a coloring page? Let me know either via an email or through one of my social networking sites. I’m on Twitter and Facebook. Let me know that you found me here in a message so I know why you’re following me.

I send out coloring pages to let people know about me, my art and my children’s books. Help support my efforts by spreading the word or buying any of my books. Please stop by any of my social networking sites to leave me a message (here is good too!) and let me know how you like the coloring pages. Remember, I provide these pages free of charge for your own personal use. Do not reproduce them or use them for any other purpose without my written permission.

Sign up to receive alerts when a new coloring page is posted each week and/or click here to view more coloring pages!

Click the image to open a .jpg to print and color.

Tomorrow is Ground Hog Day. It seems odd this year to worry about whether winter will come to an end since it never really arrived. It’s also Candlemas, a traditional Celtic celebration of the birthing of the new lambs. Here is a trio of the happy newborns for you to color.

Email your colored image (less than 1mb) to coloringpage (at) handcraftedpagan (dot) com and I’ll post it to my blog!

Do you have a special request for a coloring page? Let me know either via an email or through one of my social networking sites. I’m on Twitter and Facebook.

I send out coloring pages to let people know about me, my art and my children’s books. Help support my efforts by spreading the word or buying any of my books. Please stop by any of my social networking sites to leave me a message (here is good too!) and let me know how you like the coloring pages. Remember, I provide these pages free of charge for your own personal use. Do not reproduce them or use them for any other purpose without my written permission.

Sign up to receive alerts when a new coloring page is posted each week and/or click here to view more coloring pages!

Click the image to open a .jpg to print and color.

Email your colored image (less than 1mb) to coloringpage (at) handcraftedpagan (dot) com and I’ll post it to my blog!

Do you have a special request for a coloring page? Let me know either via an email or through one of my social networking sites. I’m on Twitter and Facebook.

I send out coloring pages to let people know about me, my art and my children’s books. Help support my efforts by spreading the word or buying any of my books. Please stop by any of my social networking sites to leave me a message (here is good too!) and let me know how you like the coloring pages. Remember, I provide these pages free of charge for your own personal use. Do not reproduce them or use them for any other purpose without my written permission.