Similes and metaphors: do we really need them? - Writers Forum

foreignlump · 09-26-2007, 01:35 PM

I suffer from a figurative language deficit in my writing. My natural voice leans towards using many, perhaps too many, adjectives and adverbs, while disregarding similes and metaphors. I have to make a conscious choice to use one, and then it usually sounds contrived–so I've come to avoid them altogether.

From a reader's point of view, I am fine with a subtle simile or metaphor once in a while. But when I'm reading something that screams, "Look at me, I'm a piece of descriptive writing as fine as an aged Sauvignon Blanc!" or, "This sentence is the sparkling diamond on a queen's engagement ring," or whatever, I get impatient–unless it's done really well.

(And yes, I've seen many authors do it that well. Just not myself.)

As writers and readers of fiction, how do you guys feel about this issue? If you have a similar phobia of writing bad figurative language, how do you handle it?

Truth-Teller · 09-26-2007, 01:49 PM

Similes and metaphors are necessaties.

Without them, King's work would not be as horrifying as it is.

Take a look at how King uses metaphors and similies to his advantage; read any short work and peruse them--don't skim them.

For unsurpassed metaphors, read Chandler and Dahl.

Truth-Teller · 09-26-2007, 01:56 PM

I'm going to tell you a little secret:

Crafting great similies and amazing metaphors just amounts to paying attention to the real world--that is all. Watch alot of national geographic, and modern marvels, on how things work around you. You can then associate two different phenomenon on a single thread like sodium and chloride, to create a bigger, solid picture.

Azmakna · 09-26-2007, 03:03 PM

metaphors are essential. for instance, a thug pulling up flowers at midnight because he can't have beauty in his own life, would be the perfect metaphor for a forum user who attacks any story regardless of quality.

Ilasir Maroa · 09-26-2007, 03:55 PM

This isn't the hate board AZ...

Anyway, yup, you need em. Adverbs and adjectives can get annoying after awhile, and they are too precise, I want my descriptions to be evocative and flowery, not a surgeons notes on degrees of scalpel insertion.

Dawnstorm · 09-27-2007, 05:16 AM

1. I'm not sure what adjectives and adverbs have to do with figurative language, other than that they can feature in such.

2. You don't need metaphors and similes. You certainly shouldn't force them. It will show.

3. Chances are, though, you're using them anyway, without noticing. (Example: "suffer from a figurative language deficit" = medical metaphor; so there.) Writing without similes and metaphors is actually hard.

Mike C · 09-27-2007, 05:19 AM

It's actually impossible to write without using metaphor - like when you read something that 'screams' at you or your 'voice' 'leans' ; they are all metaphors. The English language is built on metaphor. Metaphor is woven into the very fabric of the language.

pervarakapadiaatwforum · 09-27-2007, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike C

It's actually impossible to write without using metaphor - like when you read something that 'screams' at you or your 'voice' 'leans' ; they are all metaphors. The English language is built on metaphor. Metaphor is woven into the very fabric of the language.

I would agree to this. You use them after you understand and are sure on who will be reading your written piece. If your reader tends to have a better visualisation power via a metaphor and similes route then why not

foreignlump · 09-27-2007, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dawnstorm

1. I'm not sure what adjectives and adverbs have to do with figurative language, other than that they can feature in such.

Nothing; I was saying that I often use modifiers rather than figurative language to describe things.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dawnstorm

3. Chances are, though, you're using them anyway, without noticing. (Example: "suffer from a figurative language deficit" = medical metaphor; so there.) Writing without similes and metaphors is actually hard.

Excellent point! Mike C. said it too. In that case, I suppose I do use implicit metaphors quite a bit. The ones I have trouble with are the more blatant kind, such as "his crescent moon grin" or similes that use "like" or "as." I can come up with them well enough to make examples like that, but when I put them into my fiction, they stick out as purple prose.

lin · 09-27-2007, 12:23 PM

There's not much that is absolutely necessary. There is always somebody who will write a good novel without using the letter "e" or having human characters or verbs or whatever.

But there is no reason not to use similes and metaphors in writing, just as you do when speaking. No reason to go out of your way to use them, either.

A point here: there is a difference between that sort of metaphor and the thematic kind like Azmakna is using or saying that "Lord of the Rings" is a "metaphor for the Third Reich".