Creating Magic with Words
They say the best way for a writer to learn is to read. A lot. Read widely in all genres and soak up how others have spun words into gold. The upside (and I guess some might say a downside 
) of being an author is that you can never really master this writing gig. There’s always room for improvement, always a chance to hone your craft.
One thing I particularly notice when I read is how well some authors weave their similes and metaphors. Not everyone can do this with magical results, but the authors who do really stand out, because the words truly resonate with the reader, allowing a deeper connection. What I enjoy is finding an author who can do this with 1) a unique blending of words I never would’ve thought to put together, which results in 2) amazing imagery or an emotional response that’s absolutely so perfect I’m applauding in my head because I couldn’t imagine a way to improve it. And if they can sift irony into the mix, man, I love it!
What this does for me as an author, is it forces me to consider why that metaphor or simile worked for me, so that I can think of different ways to approach conveying an idea to the reader in a unique and effective way in my own stories.
What about you? I’m sure that there’s a particular metaphor or simile an author used that really struck you as just…well, PERFECT. The kind of phrase you read two or three times, soaking up the author’s brilliance before moving on to the next line. If you can’t remember the exact phrase, just tell us what the author compared to the situation at hand that worked so well for you.
Metaphors are good when used wisely. A well placed and worded metaphor brings the story to life.
However, I have read some books, an author in particular (that I can’t remember her/his name) that used them WAY, WAY, WAY too much. I remember thinking part way through the book that the book would be half as long if the author took out all the metaphors (and they weren’t even really good metaphors either). It obviously killed my interest in the book or future books since I can’t remember the author or the title.
You bring up a good point, one that I meant to mention…I agree on spare use of metaphors and similes. I definitely think less is more.
One that has me visualizing is one that J D Robb uses in her “In Death” series,when Eve’s case is beginning to make sense and come together. She talks of pulling a thread, unraveling, just a little tug here and there. And stitching up a theory, when pulling all her conclusions together.
That’s a great one that’s easily visualized!
tough as a mummified foot
Eek. Unless a book is right in front of me, I can’t remember anything.
I will agree JD Robb always has a way of weaving words together that works for me.
Jeaniene Frost, Lynn Viehl, Rob Thurman, Nalini Singh…I could go on, but I’d better stop there.
I’m gonna be a suck up and say how much I love the images and worlds that Nalini Singh is able to create with just a few words. Beautiful!
I finally got Archangel’s Kiss the other day and I could not put it down. That book is so completely utterly spellbinding. And this one line just stuck in my head and made me want to cry – “My immortal with the mortal heart”. It just brought to mind the song “My Immortal” by Evanescence.