Back in April, when I first searched the term figurative language, I created a list of about a dozen terms. Anaphora is the last item on the list. It, however, is not figurative language. Anaphora is a writing device.

Simply stated, anaphora is the repetitive use of words or phrases. This does not pass the figurative language test of writing something but meaning something else. Anaphora could be used for emphasis in both poetry and music.

Read the definition below.

Literary Devices

Epithet, the next term on the list of 'figurative language'.

What is it? Epithet is a descriptive word or phrase that usually has emotion or a deeper meaning connected to the person or object being discussed.

In some senses an epithet can be synechdoche because you are using a label to convey something else (remember part for whole). An epithet could very well be idiom as well since the word or phrase has a hidden meaning.

In the well known Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Tolkien uses references to allow the reader to know who his characters are talking about. Such as, the Necromancer or Eye, referring to Sauron. In the Sword of Truth Series by Goodkind, The Lord Rahl is also an epithet because it refers to the leader of an empire, and a family heritage of wizards. So, an epithet could be also a nickname or sobriquet.

Think of epithet as a second name for a person or place that has a connected emotional meaning that would be easily recognized by the audience. The emotional hints and intensity would be clear.

Want to Learn More?
Definition
Epithets Add Character
"Epithets!" Yelled the Short, Grumpy, Red-Eyed, Cancer.
Writing Wednesday – Epithets
Tips 'n Stuff To Make Better Science Fiction/Fantasy Slang & Swear Words

Watch the Video below to learn more:

Imagery is a concept in writing that helps you (the writer) convey sensory details to the reader. Browsing online for articles, as I have done previously, I found several references to "the senses".

Take a moment and think about what senses we have:

See - Sight
Hear - Sound
Smell - Aroma
Taste - Flavor
Touch - Texture

All of these details will create a vibrant experience for your reader. The language itself is meant to be poetic. Not the "be direct and straightforward" writing which many DIY authors and publishers alike enjoy.

Adding these sensory details allows your reader to relate to the character directly. This is a way you can 'show' your reader the scenery rather than 'telling' your reader about it.

Is this figurative language? By itself, no.

But, take a moment, and think of how you might apply those sensory details in writing. How would you create a 'image' for your reader? Let's say your character was looking outside of a window. Without knowing anything else, what you write, gives the reader an impression of time, location, geography, and so much more.

Describing the scenery, is just that, description. (I'll make a post about that later.)

Then, how can imagery, which is rooted in the senses, be written so that it is not description? The answer: use other types of figurative language i.e. metaphor, and simile.

The wind, frigid and silent like a black winter night, brought no comfort.

That is one example of combining figurative language with imagery. Can you think of a way to do this?

Learn More:
A Short Guide to Imagery
Create Powerful Imagery in Your Writing
Definition
How to Use Imagery Effectively
How to Write Imagery


Wanting even more, watch the video below: 

The topic of discussion today is irony.

Definition
The playing around with words such that the meaning implied by a sentence or word is actually different from the literal meaning.

From my earlier post on Figurative Language it would seem that irony and figurative language have too much in common to be separate terms.

But irony is not the umbrella term that figurative language is. Irony is more specific and limited in its scope. As a literary device, irony can be characterized in three different ways:

Dramatic Irony
This form of irony occurs when the reader knows something that the characters do not. There is a process for developing this type of irony: Inform the audience, develop curiosity in the audience, then let the character find out.

Situational Irony
This type of irony is created when there is an expected outcome and then something different happens.


Verbal Irony
When you use words that are intended to mean something else--verbal irony is created. The attitude or tone that the speaker or writer uses is the key factor in developing verbal irony. When the speaker says the opposite of what they mean--you've found verbal irony. 

While reading one of the articles below I found an additional type of irony listed:

Socratic Irony
When you pretend to be 'dumb' to show someone else that they are wrong.

Now you know what types of irony exist. So what? These fragments of figurative language are not useful unless you can place them within your story. The driving force of your story is the tension and emotion created by your characters. If, withholding or manipulating information does not further your story, then, be straightforward.

Learn More

• Irony (definition)
• Irony (4 types)
• Five Ways to use Dramatic Irony in your Writing
• How can I make an 'ironic death'
• The Four Reasons To Use Dramatic Irony In Your Story
• Writing With Irony
• A Readers Guide to Irony
• How to tell if you’re using ‘irony’ or ‘sarcasm’
• 3 Types of Irony

In on a secret? That's dramatic irony - Christopher Warner

What is verbal irony? - Christopher Warner

Idiom

When I read the definition of idiom:

The term refers to a set expression or a phrase comprising two or more words. An interesting fact regarding the device is that the expression is not interpreted literally. The phrase is understood as to mean something quite different from what individual words of the phrase would imply.

I was immediately reminded of the metaphor:

Metaphor is a figure of speech which makes an implicit, implied or hidden comparison between two things or objects that are poles apart from each other but have some characteristics common between them.

Further research revealed that the two concepts may overlap but are distinct.

• Difference Between Metaphor and Idiom
• Idioms vs. metaphors?

The metaphor is a comparison between two things to help the reader understand the relationship. The idiom is an expression that has a hidden meaning that is meant to be interpreted differently than the literal meaning of that same expression.

Idioms in Fantasy-Fiction Writing
When writing your story, remember to keep the language consistent to your character(s) and setting. The idioms in your writing will be more natural and might not be perceived as cliche.

I plan on illustrating this by finding examples in published fantasy-fiction.

Learn More About the Topic
Definition
Anachronistic Idioms In Fantasy Writing
Idioms and Catchphrases
Idioms and clichés in creative writing
Using Idioms In Fantasy and Science Fiction
Using Idioms to Add Flavor to Your Writing

Synechdoche

This type of figurative language is the 'part for the whole' concept in writing.

L.E. Modesitt Jr., in the Saga of Recluse, uses this frequently. He labels those that use ordered magic as, Blacks, and those who use chaotic magic as, Whites.

In several fantasy stories, the reference to Fist, is the reference to whole armies or companies of soldiers.

The term synechdoche could be substituted with the term Label. I would argue that the language of the concept needs to be modernized and simplified.

Technically synechdoche is figurative language and I will keep it in the original list.


Learn more about it:
Definiton
Synechdoche: The Art of Getting Eyeballs

I have been writing posts on figurative language. I felt that it would be appropriate to clarify a distinction of the two terms: Figurative Language and Figure of Speech.

The Onomatopoeia...

This is a writing 'device' used to place words into a sentence that sound like the word itself. Words such as thunk, flap, drip, flush, etc..

Using this in your writing is a matter of preference. You like it or you do not.

I'll have to wait and see what I find in the fantasy fiction literature to explain this concept more concretely. Granted, I could just copy some text from an elementary school teacher's lesson plan. But...that would not be adequate.

For further reading:

• Definition
• Onomatopoeia or Overwhelming Writing Devices
• The Sound of One Knife Stabbing
• Use onomatopoeia to make your writing pop
• Why Most Attempts and Onomatopoeia Fail
• Fantasy Writers: Forum Discussion

Below you will find some examples of alliteration from my favorite fantasy fiction stories. To help out I have highlighted some of the similar sounds to help identify the alliteration within the writing.

"I have seen a rumor born swathed in snug mystery left lying under the sun in the hills of the Gadrobi where the sheep have scattered on wolf-laden winds and the shepherds have fled a whispering of sands and it blinked in the glare a heart hardened into stone while the shadow of the Gates of Nowhere crept 'cross the drifting dust of home I have seen this rumor born a hundred thousand hunters of the heart in a city bathed in blue light..."
-P.538 Gardens of the Moon, Steven Erikson

Below are some examples of personification:

"Despair, he told himself, always demands a direction, a focus."
-P.285 Gardens of the Moon, Steven Erikson

This post, like others, it to further illustrate figurative language. Below are examples of similes from my favorite books.

"He listened to her soft, regular breathing behind him-like the breath of a dragon-he was certain he could feel it gusting against the back of his neck."
--P.327 Gardens of the Moon, Steven Erikson 

"Gaborn watched the girls drift by, feeling that their beauty was as stunning as that of larks in flight, knowing he would never forget their smiles."
-- P.41-42, Runelords, David Farland

""Because you are young, you value men based upon their insights into the human heart, Your Lordship." This statement struck Gaborn like a blast of air off a frozen lake. It was stunning, refreshingly honest, and, of course, obviously true."

-- P. 141, Runelords, David Farland

"Dozens of Raj Ahten's legendary Invincibles had followed Borenson's men into the woods, and the Invincibles were now so full of arrows that their corpses looked as prickly as hedgehogs."

-- P.600, Runelords, David Farland 

 "The rain, like icy needles, lashed at my unprotected face and head, since I hadn't bothered with the cloak's hood."
--P.159, Magic of Recluse, L.E. Modesitt Jr. 

• Alliteration Defined
• Rules for Alliteration
• Sound Sound Sound
• What is Alliteration

All writers, must be readers....

As I was reading one of my favorite novels I came across some metaphors that I thought would further illustrate a my post on Metaphors.

Read this!

"High Fist," he said at last, aware that both men had been waiting for him to speak, "there's still a few Bridgeburners left. Fewer hands on the sword. But the sword's still sharp. It's not our style to make life easy for those who oppose us--whoever they happen to be. To just quietly walk away..."

P. 127 Gardens of the Moon, Steven Erikson

 "He'd come into her  room, a place where the noble brats drooling at her heels couldn't enter, a place where she might talk to the ragged dolls of her childhood, when innocence didn't just mean a flower not yet plucked. Her sanctuary."

P. 190 Gardens of the Moon, Steven Erikson

 The second example is slightly different. When you read 'flower not yet plucked' the speaker is referring to the virginity of a woman.

Both illustrate how metaphors are used within fantasy fiction.

More examples:

"Her soft voice carries across the road, still shrouded in the mist laid down before dawn."
--P.289, Magic of Recluse, L.E. Modesitt Jr.  

Definition

Personification in writing is when writers give human traits to a non-human item.

The metaphor is another method for comparing things. Similar to the simile but less direct. The metaphor is an indirect comparison.

For a definition of metaphor:

A figure of speech which makes an implicit, implied or hidden comparison between two things or objects that are poles apart from each other but have some characteristics common between them.

As an author you must have an understanding of the relationship between the idea or thing that you are wanting to compare.

For instance: you could compare the abilities of a fighter and a dancer.

As with the simile the list of examples could be endless. It is for the author to decide what the important elements and relationships are.

For some examples: Young Writers has listed a few that should help you out.

Related Posts

• Think Backward to Write Meaningful Metaphors
• How to Use the Persuasive Power of Metaphors
• 25 Things You Should Know About Metaphor

The art of the metaphor - Jane Hirshfield

• Simile
• Simile of Opposites
• Simile in Motion
• Simile from Author
• Simile from Character

The construction of the simile is very simple.

• X is like Y.
• Something is as X as Y.

• Have a single theme
• Follow the Jalapeno Analogy: a little spice is good—too much spice makes the reader give up

1. Start off with your primary subject
2. List several things that you can compare your subject to
3. Add some sensory details

• Warrior

• Drunkard, King, Merchant, Pirate, Farmboy, etc.

• Drunkard – coordination, aroma, decision making, noisy, attention-span

Moments after the warrior walked past, his presence lingered, like the aroma of a drunkard reeking of stale ale. 

Related Links

• 5 Tips for Creating Great Similes and Metaphors
• 20 Great Similes from Literature to Inspire You
• How to Make your Similes Sparkle
• Making Comparisons—Simile and Metaphor in Fiction
• Writing the Perfect Simile

• Simile 
• Metaphor
• Personification
• Alliteration
• Onomatopoeia
• Hyperbole
• Cliche
• Synecdoche
• Puns
• Oxymoron
• Idioms
• Irony
• Imagery
• Epithet
• Anaphora

After researching several of the terms above I found it necessary to define Figurative Language because it seemed that several lists were thrown together without consideration for what the concept was. 

• The Art of Description
• The Art of Dynamic Description
• How to Write Description that will Delight Your Readers Senses
• 11 Secrets to Writing Effective Character Description
• On Writing
• Improving Description

During my last post I wrote about backstory. As an oversimplified reminder Backstory can be broken down into scene and summary. Scene is good. Summary is bad.

The telling of events that have already ended has its limitations. The stuff has already happened. This can be overcome by making the scene develop the character meaningfully.

Again you can read all of the criticisms of backstory and find yourself not wanting to use the literary element at all. That would be a mistake. The past of your character can bring enlightenment to your reader. You can probably imagine a critical scene for your character where the action or lack of action has immediate and vast consequence. The reader might want to know why. How could you possibly answer that question? Answer: Show the reader a scene from the past.

The literary device of the 'flashback' is your friend.

A flashback, by its very nature, interrupts your current story and is often criticized as a 'story-killer' because it stops the momentum of your story. This is a minor setback because you can place a flashback after a very strong emotional scene. You are allowing the reader to learn more about a character at a moment in your story when they are very interested.

Think about it. Your reader is turning every page and waiting to find out what you have written. Then you pull them away for a scene. After a moment of'ah-ha you take the reader back and resume showing them the excitement of the plot that is already established.

Almost every successful story uses this tactic. Think about Harry Potter and Voldemort. Flashbacks were used . . . successfully.

There are some technical considerations that must be addressed while using the flashback. Make sure your reader is clear that you are changing time. If you are using multiple plots make sure that those plots are moving chronologically.

Now all you have to think about is the structure of your plot. Where are you going to place these scenes? What do you need to show the reader to help keep the plot moving? How will this scene help develop your character further.

Remember that the length of the flashback can also help you determine how the flashback is presented. Short flashbacks can be a brief recollection triggered by an event or memory placed withing the current plot. A longer flashback can be an entire scene or chapter by itself. This is entirely dependent on what will develop your character further.

For some further reading check out these links:

• 1. 3 Tips for Writing Successful Flashbacks
• 2. How to Handle Flashbacks in Writing
• 3. Using Flashback in Fiction
• 4. The Five Rules of Writing Flashbacks
• 5. Writing a Flashback 
• 6. On Flashbacks
• 7. Anatomy of a Flashback

After reading several articles online I have come to find that it is important to redefine how 'back-story' is known.

Without initially taking the time to define the concept it is difficult and problematic to analyze.

For instance, in many of the articles that are posted online, back-story is mistaken for 'background' and plenty of criticism is developed.

Many editors and authors simply state, "get rid of it", without clarifying what they are attempting to remove from  a story.

Plenty of self-proclaimed-critics argue that back-story slows the story down and "bogs" the reader down with unnecessary information.

I would entertain that a story is not limited by the typical a-b-c method of chronology. Imagine how a Dr. Who might operate with this limitation. Not pleasant. There is a beauty to transcending the physical limits of this universe. Plenty of stories do this regularly. Think of Robert Jordan's 'The Wheel of Time' or maybe even Tolkien's 'The Lord of the Rings', just to mention a simple few. The point is clear. Fantastic writing often involves breaking the rules that us mere mortals are limited by.

Time is just another one of those rules. A story can move forward. Stop, turn around. Begin anew. Think about a character that has nightmares of her past. What about a character that dreams about a divergent future? Would it be possible for a character to tell the reader about events that have already happened?

If you take a moment to look at the diagram that I have placed above (go ahead and look over it again) you will notice that back-story is divided into two concepts. Flashback and background.

Flashback is break in the present story that relates past events to the reader i.e. the character with nightmares. A flashback can occur within a story several ways.

1. Dreams / Nightmares
2. Conversation / Thoughts
3. Memories
4. Scene