In last week's post, we explored the concept of defamiliarization—the art of making the familiar strange to enhance the reader’s perception and engagement. This week, we’re diving into another powerful technique for elevating your descriptions: using unexpected metaphors and similes. Both tools are cornerstones of vivid, compelling writing, and when used creatively, they can turn the ordinary into something extraordinary.
Metaphors and similes are often the secret ingredients that bring your narrative to life, creating images that stay with readers long after they’ve turned the last page. The key is to move beyond the tired, overused comparisons and find fresh, evocative ways to describe the world of your story. In this post, we’ll explore how to craft unique metaphors and similes that surprise and engage your readers, adding depth and dimension to your writing.
What Are Metaphors and Similes?
Before we dive in, let’s quickly recap what metaphors and similes are:
Metaphors make a direct comparison between two unrelated things by stating that one is the other. For example, “Time is a thief” suggests that time steals moments from us, without using “like” or “as.”
Similes compare two things using “like” or “as.” For instance, “Her smile was like sunshine” likens a smile to the warmth and brightness of the sun.
Both metaphors and similes are tools to add color, texture, and emotion to your writing. However, they become truly powerful when they are unexpected—when they make readers pause, think, and see the world in a new way.
Why Use Unexpected Metaphors and Similes?
The right metaphor or simile can accomplish several things:
Create Vivid Imagery: An unexpected metaphor or simile can paint a picture in the reader’s mind that feels fresh and original. It breaks away from clichés, making your descriptions stand out.
Convey Complex Emotions and Themes: Some feelings and concepts are hard to describe with literal language. Metaphors and similes allow you to convey deeper layers of meaning in just a few words.
Engage the Reader’s Imagination: When a comparison surprises the reader, it engages their imagination and curiosity. It invites them to see a person, object, or setting from a new perspective.
Add Depth and Texture to Writing: Well-crafted metaphors and similes add richness to your narrative, making the world of your story feel more vivid and alive.
How to Create Unexpected Metaphors and Similes
Crafting unexpected metaphors and similes takes practice and creativity. Here are some techniques to help you move beyond the obvious and create comparisons that resonate.
1. Combine Unrelated Concepts to Find Fresh Comparisons
One way to create an unexpected metaphor or simile is to combine two things that don’t normally go together. This technique can create a surprising and memorable image that makes readers see both elements in a new light.
Example: Instead of saying, “The ocean was vast,” you might write, “The ocean spread like spilled ink across a manuscript, blurring the boundaries between reality and dreams.” This simile not only describes the vastness of the ocean but also suggests a sense of mystery and infinite possibilities.
Tip: Look for comparisons that evoke an emotion or idea beyond the literal description. How does the metaphor or simile reflect the tone or theme of the scene?
2. Use Sensory Details to Deepen the Metaphor or Simile
Incorporate sensory details to make your metaphors and similes more vivid. By engaging multiple senses, you create a fuller, more immersive experience for the reader.
Example: Rather than writing, “The night was dark,” consider, “The night wrapped around the city like a velvet curtain pulled too tight, hiding its secrets.” This metaphor doesn’t just tell us the night is dark; it evokes texture (velvet), tightness (pulled too tight), and a sense of mystery (hiding its secrets).
Tip: Think about how a metaphor or simile can appeal to sight, sound, taste, touch, or smell. How does it feel, and what emotion does it evoke?
3. Reflect a Character’s Perspective or Emotions
Metaphors and similes can do more than just describe—they can also reveal a character’s inner world. Consider how a character’s unique perspective or emotional state might shape the comparisons they make.
Example: A character feeling anxious might describe a clock as “a relentless predator stalking time with every tick,” while a character feeling at peace might see it as “a gentle reminder of life’s rhythm.” Both metaphors give the reader insight into the characters’ minds while describing the same object in different ways.
Tip: Use metaphors and similes that reflect the character's mindset. This not only enriches the description but also deepens characterization.
4. Avoid Clichés and Embrace Specificity
Clichéd metaphors and similes—like “busy as a bee” or “cold as ice”—are familiar and easy to understand, but they don’t add anything new or memorable to the narrative. Instead, aim for specificity and originality.
Example: Instead of “quiet as a mouse,” try “quiet as a held breath in a church before a confession.” This simile not only describes silence but also conveys tension and anticipation, adding layers of meaning.
Tip: When you catch yourself writing a cliché, pause and think: What’s a more specific, vivid way to express this idea? Consider the setting, mood, or theme of your story for inspiration.
5. Use Extended Metaphors for Greater Impact
An extended metaphor is one that unfolds over several lines or even an entire scene, allowing for deeper exploration and development. This technique can create a more immersive and resonant effect.
Example: If you describe a storm as “a jealous lover,” you could extend this metaphor by describing how “it clawed at the windows, screamed through the trees, and tore at the rooftops, refusing to be ignored.” This extended metaphor adds drama and personification, making the storm feel like a character itself.
Tip: Use extended metaphors sparingly and with purpose. Make sure each part of the metaphor adds to the image or idea you’re conveying, rather than simply stretching it out.
Exercises to Practice Creating Unexpected Metaphors and Similes
Metaphor Mix-Up: Write down a list of unrelated nouns (e.g., “clock,” “ocean,” “city”) and a list of emotions or actions (e.g., “regret,” “whispering,” “crashing”). Combine them to create unexpected metaphors or similes. For example, “regret is a clock that won’t stop ticking in the back of your mind.”
Character-Driven Comparisons: Think of a character from your current project. Write five metaphors or similes that reflect their personality or emotional state. How would they describe a sunrise, a crowded room, or a difficult decision?
Sensory Switch-Up: Choose a familiar object (like a chair or a flower) and describe it using a metaphor or simile that involves a sense not typically associated with it. For example, “The flower smelled like a childhood memory, sweet and distant.”
Cliché Transformation: Take a common cliché (like “sharp as a tack” or “as quiet as the grave”) and rewrite it in a way that feels fresh and original.
Metaphors and similes are more than just decorative language—they are tools that can deepen your storytelling, evoke emotions, and engage your readers’ imaginations. By incorporating unexpected comparisons, you invite readers to see the world of your story in a new way, making your writing more vivid and memorable.
Next time you sit down to write, challenge yourself to find fresh, surprising metaphors and similes that breathe new life into your descriptions. Remember, it’s all about making the ordinary extraordinary.
Happy writing!
Next week, we'll be exploring technique #3--Leaning into sensory details, but making them surprising.
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