If you’re writing fiction, you need to use metaphors and similes. Why? Because you need to develop memorable characters, characters that your readers can hardly wait to tell their friends about. “You’ve got to read this book. You’ll (love, hate, laugh at, cry about, want to marry, want to kill—pick one) this character (supply name here).”
So, what do I mean by metaphors and similes in fiction.
“John had big ears.” That’s not going to make John memorable. “John had large ears.” Nope. No better. “John had huge ears.” A tiny bit better. “John’s ears looked like weather balloons attached to his head.” That’s a simile – comparing two things which are dissimilar items, such as comparing ears to weather balloons, and using the word “like” or “as.” Which description are you going to remember? Sure, it’s a gross exaggeration, but it gets the idea across and in a way that will be remembered.
“Mano’s hand was a catcher’s mitt.” That is a metaphor — the comparison of two things that are in general not alike, without using “like” or “as.” The reader knows this guy didn’t really have a catcher’s mitt for a hand. But the reader knows very clearly, this guy had big hands, exceptionally big hands. Your reader will remember that feature about him. You, the author, can use that fact later in the book to good advantage. And guess what? The reader will remember.
“Her eyes were like sapphires cut to catch the light and sparkle.” Simile. (Her eyes were like…) “His eyes were lasers, the kind that cut through steel.” Metaphor. (His eyes were …) “He was only five feet tall, but his feet were as big as a seven-foot giant’s.” Simile.
Can you overdo the use of metaphor and simile? You most certainly can. They should be like the habañera: not used on everything, and not used too much. (Simile.)
Remember, one of your goals is to develop memorable characters. Similes and metaphors can help make a character memorable. It’s one of the simplest things to do and it produces results. It helps to develop a memorable character.
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I enjoyed this! You made me think about metaphors and similes, and here’s what I have realized. I think the metaphor or simile that a character uses, e.g., the narrator, reveals something about him/her. Can show bitterness, wry humour, fear.
Thanks, I could never keep track of the difference between similies and metaphors. Apparently I’ve been using similies in my work and never knew it!
Great post – reminds me of Danny DeVito in Renaissance Man. Good movie – made me happy as a clam at high tide!
Gee, thanks, Jim. Brief, yet effective post on metaphor and simile. I just printed it out in nice, larger print and will be using it as a handout this fall in writing classes, crediting you with the information, of course!
Glad it will be of help, Eileen. Thanks for the comment.
Great post and I agree. One simile or metaphor goes a very long way. Although some of the great mystery writers of the 20s and 30s filled their pages with cheezy metaphors. Part of their charm.
Use like the habañera.
Great article, Jim. When I saw it, I said What? Metaphor and Simile? Funny, because I also have a blog post ready to go on the same subject! Before I post it, and I’m not sure when I will, because I generally do several at a time, I may go back and reference yours, because it’s so good.
You did a great job of clearly describing and furnishing examples of each.
Sorry I beat you to it. Very unusual for me to beat anybody. But then, you’ll have a whole raft of different readers. Thanks, Ann.
Great post and great examples, James. Many times the characters make the story even when the story isn’t that good. Memorable characters and they way they’re presented is half the battle. Well, almost half the battle. : )
I can go with half.
A clear explanation of the difference between the two. Enjoyed the read, Jim.
Excecllent and easy to understand reminder for writers not only of fiction. I used these two tools from my writer’s toolbox in my book of exciting flying adventures fthat have taken me from the cotton fields of West Texas to the bottom of the world (Antarctica). All My Downs Have Been Ups has just been released as an ebook and is getting super reviews that indicate readers love simile and metaphor in nonfiction! Come fly with me and see!
Thanks, Nancy. I’m not surprised you use those tools. You have a very complete toolbox.
Jim,
Good post! Similes and metaphors can definitely add a lot to a piece of writing, if used sparingly.
I think a writer also needs to take into consideration the type and mood of the book they’re writing. For example, if I’m writing a very serious, dark novel, I wouldn’t want to use a simile or metaphor that’s cute or funny – unless I had a specific reason to do that.
But, I’ll bet you can find a very serious, dark metaphor or simile. Thanks, Patricia.