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!
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I know I read differently that I did years ago and seem to pay special attention to how the story unfolds-the plotting and how themes and woven in with sub plots. Some writers do it _so well_. Just finished reading Anna Krez’s Meal Worm Diaries…and oh. my. how she put that story together, then told it is amazing.