Simple Fantasy Writing

Show me the Metaphor

5:36:00 PM

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

In this first example the speaker is referring to a squad of marines. Can you find the metaphor?

"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.

Figurative Language

Personification

12:07:00 AM

Definition

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

To give you a clear example I am going to use a cliche:

A man stands beside his friend and says, "Isn't she a beauty". (Referring to the car he just bought.)

Obviously the car cannot have a gender but the use of this type of figurative language enhances the meaning behind the words. The character (the man) is comparing his new car to a beautiful woman. This can change the scene and the character.

For a basic formula:
{ Non-Human Thing + Human Trait / Verb = Personification }

What is it? Who Cares!! It's Your Story

Do it Right

Personification can impact the character, story, tone, and mood, of your writing. When using this type of comparison it is important to remember the context of your story. If your story occurs in a fantasy medieval setting--the example above would seem ridiculous. Make sure that your comparisons come naturally for your characters.

Do it wrong

Don't confuse personification with anthropomorphism. Don't confuse personification with fantasy race creation. In a fantasy story you may have characters that are unique--such as Tolkien's talking trees.

A fantasy race is allowed to act on its own accord.

Examples

What does it look like?

(1) The fire fed its belly on the village.

(2) The fire fed on the village.

Non-Human Thing = Fire

Human Attribute = belly

Verb = Fed

Further Reading

Anthropomorphism v Personification
Characteristics of Personification
Personification
Personification - Giving Life to the Inanimate

Figurative Language

Metaphor

7:13:00 PM

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

Helpful Video

The art of the metaphor - Jane Hirshfield

Figurative Language

Simile

2:33:00 PM

Not too long ago I wrote a post that simply defined the simile. It was a quick, last-minute effort to get a blog post completed. Several days later, I found that the writing was not as useful as I had hoped. Since the ultimate goal of this project is to write a book on Fantasy Fiction—it would be more useful to have relevant and detailed writing developed now.

The Simile

Similes are a mixture of words that can be poetic, descriptive, and meaningful, and at the same time, the simile can be bland and painted with cliché. Editors suggest that a simile should be used once or twice and then forgotten. Authors, on the other hand, say that breaking a few rules can help you. Before I entertain that argument it would be useful to re-learn the simile.

The simile compares two things using the words like or as. Some would suggest that a simile is stronger when you compare unlike things. Others suggest that you should use action or movement to strengthen your simile.

Types of Simile:

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.

Do it Right

The simile impacts emotion and feeling. It can also be poetic in nature. When done correctly, the simile molds story, character, tone, and mood.

To do this:

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

Do it Wrong

Unless you are writing poetry—which has its own ‘rules’—you should be less flowery in your writing. The reader wants to see something happen—not stumble upon great phrases. The reader also wants to understand what is written—so don’t use a simile that is out of time or context. Hesitate on these things and you will not create ‘simile fatigue’ in your story.

Do it

I feel that this process will allow you to develop unique similes that will help your reader and have a specific purpose in your writing.

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

Example:

Let’s start off with a simple fantasy simile...

Warrior

Now, let’s list several things that I could compare my warrior to...

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

I should pick one of these things and list several sensory details...

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

Now, create a phrase...

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

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