by C. Patrick Schulze
To listen to a podcast of this article, click HERE.
As fiction writers, we have access to any number of tools, tips and techniques with which to pen the Great American Novel. Today we’ll discuss two of the most fun and powerful items available to us, similes and metaphors.
Simile is a comparison of different actions, concepts or objects using the words “like” or “as.” In contrast, a metaphor compares dissimilar things without using either of those words. In effect, a simile indicates one thing is MUCH LIKE another whereas a metaphor says it IS like the other. Here are a couple simple examples.
Her eyes were as blue as the ocean. (Simile)
Her eyes are blue pools of laughter.(Metaphor)
What are the advantages of similes and metaphors?
The secret within these literary devices is their innate ability to create powerful mental pictures with a limited number of words.
They enhance your novel by adding effective portrayal and originality.
Similes and metaphors offer your readers a more personal experience and you a better emotional hook.
They also add great depth and imagery to your writing.
Let’s see if I can’t come up with an image, then improve it by way of one of our new friends, simile or metaphor.
“Her eyes flashed with anger.”
“Her eyes flashed with the power of a lightning strike.”
Well, that second example is more hyperbole, (explained below), but you can see the strength between the two images. This first tells the story well enough, but the second shows us the emotion in her face, doesn’t it? The second example conveys a much more powerful image.
The problem with these tools? Metaphors bombs.
Misuse of these wonderful tools will bore and confuse a reader and draw attention to the author’s lack of writing skill.
The most common traps when using metaphors are the cliché, the mixed metaphor, (two or more incompatible metaphors in one expression), and the dead metaphor, (one that has lost its effectiveness over time).
Overuse of similes and metaphors tends to overpower your reader.
Poor word choice can break a reader’s interest at once. Here’s an example of what I mean. “Her skin shinned in the darkness like a fog light.” (Oh, so close!) A single improper word choice rips your image apart. Chose your words with care.
The exaggerated use of similes and metaphors may tend a writer toward hyperbole, (high-PUR-buh-lee), or an obvious exaggeration. Uh, kind of like eyes flashing with the power of lightning.
If you’d like to try your hand at creating metaphors and similes, I found a “Create Your Own Metaphor” exercise at THIS web site.
Be careful with your use of these fun and interesting literary tools and your novel will be all the better for it.
Until we meet again, know I wish you only best-sellers.
C. Patrick Schulze
Author of the emerging novel, “Born to be Brothers.”
AUTHOR OF THE NOVEL
This Business of Writing 
Yes! Finally someone writes about alabama.
When writing fiction (in this case romance) do the metaphors have to be physically possible? Or for example in a sentence such as, ‘dismay supplanted her heart’. Obviously dismay cannot replace her heart, but is it okay to use as a description of her distress, or is it consider amateurish?
Thanks for the great post. I signed up today for your emails, and look forward to reading them.
I’m glad you found something of use, Stina, and thanks for following this blog.
C. Patrick Schulze