Today, at TRB Lounge, we are hosting Abby Arthur, YA Fantasy author of TWINS OF SHADOW, to share some insights into her process of writing.

Note: Details on the giveaway running for the month of August 2020 are at the end of the post*

The Power of Metaphors and Similes

Ever read a book that sucks you in, describing the setting like a whirlwind of mystery wrapped in the snuggly arms of a wild grizzly bear? 

Or have you found yourself so deep in the thick of a battle scene, you could feel the blood gush from your own arm?

I have experienced this, my friend. And I’ve come to analyze these stories to understand why I was so captivated. 

To give you real-life examples of stories that have sucked me in, there are:

• CHILDREN OF BLOOD AND BONE by Tomi Adeyemi 
• SORCERY OF THORNS by Margret Rogerson.

From the very start, the books above use words that paint pictures, pictures that make you feel what the character is feeling.

To do this, the authors use METAPHORS and SIMILES.

What is a Metaphor? 

According to author Pat Pattison in his amazing book, WRITING BETTER LYRICS: 

“In its most basic form, a metaphor is a collision between ideas that don’t belong together.”

Here’s an example: The princess is a delicate lily.

With using a metaphor to describe the character, you can’t see the princess without seeing a delicate lily, and therefore, you instantly know the princess is beautiful and fragile. 

Try this: The princess is a vicious wolf.

In this example, you don’t think of a flower or fragileness. You see a powerful woman with strength, determination, and a dangerous drive to survive. 

What is a Simile?

A simile is a lot like a metaphor, but it differentiates by the connecting word “like” or “as”. A metaphor says the subject IS the descriptor (the princess IS a delicate lily). But a simile merely compares the two (the princess is LIKE a delicate lily). 

I’ve noticed more similes in stories than direct metaphors. Both are beautiful, but I feel saying “the princess IS a vicious wolf” has a more substantial impact on the story verses she is LIKE a vicious wolf. The “IS” transforms her before your very eyes. Don’t you agree?

So How Do You Make Great Metaphors and Similes?

Practice. Take 5-10 minutes a day before you start writing your stories and create metaphors and similes. You can describe your characters, your settings, your cup of coffee, your dinner, your dog… 

The more you practice, the faster your brain will be able to call upon them when you’re writing. 

I promise, it works! 

Try the practice exercise for 7 consecutive days and you will be AMAZED at your progress in such a short time!

Implement Metaphors and Similes in Your Story

When you write, start to watch for moments you can implement a metaphor or simile. 

Just knowing to keep your eyes open will bring forth the opportunity to add them. 

For example, maybe you’re writing something like, “The princess was tall and thin.” Now that you know to watch for a chance to insert a metaphor or simile, you will realize you can say instead, “She was tall and thin, a towering tree overlooking the kingdom like a noble guard.” 

The more you implement metaphors and similes, the more your story will come to life and transport your readers into your magical world (fantasy or not)!

The Major 17 YA Fantasy Book Giveaway

Now for the moment you’ve been waiting for!

For the month of August 2020, Abby Arthur is giving away a total of 17 YA Fantasy novels and a new eReader from Amazon – the Kindle Fire 7, over the course of the next 4 weeks.

YOU GET 4 CHANCES TO WIN A PRIZE!

The details are as follows, and the link to enter is here: https://abbyarthur.com/giveaways/august2020  

Upon entry, every contestant will also receive a FREE eCopy of Abby’s book, TWINS OF SHADOW.

On August 7

Abby is drawing a winner for the current books in Sabaa Tahir’s AN EMBER IN THE ASHES series, which includes:

• AN EMBER IN THE ASHES
• A TORCH AGAINST THE NIGHT
• A REAPER AT THE GATES

These will be HARDCOVER COPIES! With a total value of $60 US Dollars.

On August 14^th

Abby is drawing a winner for 3 books from New York Times Best Selling Authors.

• CHAINS OF GOLD by Cassandra Clare
• A BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS AND SNAKES by Suzanne Collins
• HOUSE OF EARTH AND BLOOD by Sarah J Maas

These will be HARDCOVER COPIES! With a total value of $80 US Dollars.

On August 16^th
I’m drawing a mid-giveaway bonus winner for Starr Z. Davies’ YA Dystopian duology: ORDINARY. 

• ORDINARY
• UNIQUE

These will be AUTOGRAPHED TRADE PAPERBACKS! With a total value of $25 US Dollars. 

On August 21^st

Abby is drawing a winner for Holly Black’s series: FOLK OF THE AIR.

• THE CRUEL PRINCE
• THE WICKED KING
• THE QUEEN OF NOTHING

These will be HARDCOVER COPIES! With a total value of $80 US Dollars.

On August 28^th

Abby is giving away the grand prize, which includes the eReader and 8 eBooks at a $150 value:

Kindle Fire 7

• 1 A SONG OF WRATHS AND RUIN by Roseanne A Brown
• 2 THE KINGDOM OF BACK by Marie Lu
• 3 WICKED SAINTS by Emily A. Duncan
• 4 THE GUINEVERE DECEPTION by Kiersten White
• 5 CHILDREN OF BLOOD AND BONE by Tomi Adeyemi
• 6 THE CURSED CHILD by J.K Rowling
• 7 SIX OF CROWS by Leigh Bardugo
• 8 SORCERY OF THORNS by Margaret Rogerson

Enter NOW for your chance to WIN!

Click here => https://abbyarthur.com/giveaways/august2020

Here’s how to enter:

1. Go to the link above
2. Enter your email address
3. Follow Abby on her social platforms (Gives you 50X more chances to win!)
4. Share your lucky URL (extra 20X chances to win per friend to enter)

Good Luck, my friend!

About the author:

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

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If you are an author and wish to be featured as our guest or if you are a publicist and want to get your author’s guest post on TRB, then please get in touch through email at thereadingbud@gmail.com