As a writer, you create mental images for your readers. Metaphors are a tool that helps create these images. Here’s what they are, how to use them, and why they give your story punch.
Metaphor Vs. Simile
Because metaphor and simile often get confused, it’s important to understand the difference between the two. As stated by Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary,
A simile is a figure of speech that compares two otherwise dissimilar things, often employing the words like or as (‘cheeks like roses’). A metaphor is a figure of speech in which a word or phrase that has one literal meaning is applied to another thing in order to suggest a likeness or similarity between the two (‘the baby’s cheeks were newly bloomed roses’).
Now that we got that out of the way, here’s why metaphors is the better figure of speech.
Escape the Comparison Game
Comparison is helpful. When someone says a dog is as big as a small horse, you know you’re dealing with a big canine. A really big canine, like Clifford-size. However, comparisons brought on by simile have a weakness. They have filler words. As a result, they’re a bit indirect.
Metaphors, on the other hand, get straight to the point. Instead of comparing two things, metaphors claim one thing is another thing.
With this wonderful figure of speech, the dog isn’t as big as a horse. The dog is a horse. In Clifford’s case, the dog is a house.
This direct language grabs you by the throat and demands your attention.
Using Metaphor Requires Care
Because metaphors are so powerful, use them carefully. Get sloppy with them, and you’ll lose your readers.
Unsure whether your metaphor lands? Have a friend read your writing. If your friend looks or acts confused, rewrite the sentence with a different metaphor or scrap the metaphor altogether.
Remember—every word in every sentence you write should improve your writing, adding to the mental image readers enjoy while reading. Any writing that pulls readers out of your story and makes them feel lost should get updated.
So, if readers cringe that Samantha’s breath was a Himalayan mountain goat, just say her breath stank. It gets the point across and—Bonus points!—uses a funny word.
Wish someone would help make your writing the best it can be? At Argyle Fox Publishing, we only accept books we like, and we edit every manuscript to be its absolute best. Then we design your cover and interior to look its absolute best. Sound like services you need? Submit your manuscript for consideration today.