As we approach the winter holidays, I’ve been reading Caraval by Stephanie Garber which is a great book for winter-wonderland dreaming. I’m always impressed when an author can nail setting and metaphor as these are areas I want to improve upon as a writer.

Stephanie Garber is one of those people. Her novel reminds me of Alice in Wonderland but set at a carnival. Full of whacky characters and odd settings, the book doesn’t disappoint when it comes to magical descriptions and interesting uses of language.

At one point, she describes a man who works at a clock shop saying, “The rotund man who had just entered the shop looked a bit like a clock himself. The mustache on his dark round face stretched out like a minute and hour hand. His shiny brown frock coat reminded Scarlett of polished wood, his brass suspenders of cable pulleys.”

I mean that description, that use of metaphor, is not something I’d ever have thought to do.

It’s these instances that remind me of the Isaac Mizrahi quote about inspiration’s double-edged sword. I am both inspired by and saddened to read Garber’s book, because I know this level of greatness cannot be rivaled. As Mizrahi notes, “Contemplating the arduous road ahead, trying to get anywhere near that level of perfection, I felt defeat.”

I so relate to that idea. Stephanie’s strengths are ones I’m trying to improve in my own writing. I’m aware that a New York Times bestseller with praise from Publisher’s Weekly, Entertainment Weekly, and Teen Vogue might not be in my sights. But as Mizrahi so adeptly noted, reading her book fills me with “inspiration, ideas, and an impulse to get to work.” It fills me with the knowledge that the only way to strive towards those accolades is by putting in the time, fleshing out my ideas, and cultivating my storytelling.

So, what have I learned from reading Caraval? Using metaphor in description paints a vivid picture. I want to incorporate more metaphors and descriptions in my own writing.

I’m also reminded that inspiration is a double-edged sword. One side stabs you in the gut with the knowledge that you might never achieve excellence, but the other side nudges you in the back, pushing you forward.

Because one thing’s for certain. You’ll never attain greatness by simply watching what others do well. That part’s important, because it helps you determine aspects you want to incorporate in your own style. But it’s only one end of the sword.

You also have to listen to the side that prods you to get to work. That side forces you to practice, write, edit, rewrite, and write some more. That side pushes you to show up and be better than the day before. That side pushes you towards greatness.

What have you read recently that inspired you? What books do you plan to cozy up with this winter season?

Photos by Alisa Anton