Another aspect of writing sometimes neglected in today’s fondness for pared back writing is the use of imagery. We might think of imagery as
being the domain of poets in particular, but metaphors, similes etc., are embedded
in every aspect of language. Our conversations are littered with comparisons
(the bees’ knees, spring clean, couch potato etc., etc.,) which have become so
common we no longer connect them with the original concrete image.
However, although using comparative images to acquaint
readers with something beyond their experience is an effective tool for
writers, using imagery to bring our ordinary, everyday world
alive in a new way can be a more rewarding challenge.
Both uses increase the scope of our understanding.
The ability to create potent images stems from acute
observation of the sights, sounds, smells, tastes and touches around us. Using
sense perception to tie disparate objects together allows writers to reveal new
insights to readers.
Mixed metaphors are a weak
point to guard against as they can produce unintended results - witness the
following which was originally from the Detroit
News, and quoted in The New Yorker.
"I don’t think we should wait until the
other shoe drops. History has already shown what is likely to happen. The ball
has been down this court before and I can see already the light at the end of
the tunnel."
Mixed metaphors often arise
because a writer hasn’t seen the clash of content inherent in the meanings.
Another thing which is hard for writers to spot in
their own writing, because we often see what we aim to write rather than what
is in front of us, is the use of clichés. Clichés are metaphors, but are
exhausted, ready to be retired metaphors in use since Noah walked off the Ark. Ironically, because clichés
do contain powerful images, if they are rejuvenated and rethought, they are
often more powerful than a newly created metaphor.
Sprinkled sparingly among your
words, like small shining jewels, metaphors provide an exercise for the
imagination of both reader and writer.
Writing Update
I’m chugging along with my
supernatural mash-up, and finding it a very different experience from my first
novel where I used an assembly line approach of taking, for example plot flaws, and fixing them throughout the book, before moving on to the next aspect. This worked fine until I met Pro
Writing Aid and entered Purgatory for about five months.
This time I’m approaching the
edit chapter by chapter, which breaks down the use of Pro Writing Aid into smaller bite-sized chunks. So
far the process seems easier than last time – even my ‘was/were’ score for
chapter three in the overused words section said ‘Perfect’. So despite having found this online editing tool a tortuous learning curve, I must give credit where it's due.
I’ve set a goal of finishing
this book by the end of June (as always, a flexible date), and – please don’t hold me to this – have scenes popping into my brain for a second in the series. A series? Seriously? I have no idea where is
this coming from, but I’m going to explore it a bit. After all, while the conflict
set up in the current book is resolved, the dilemma of the eternal triangle remains.
I already have the basic outline of beginning, plot, climax and resolution, and my subconscious is under strict orders to incubate ideas.
I took a two day break from
social media over the weekend – life and other stuff. It’s good to change
things sometimes – helps keep life and other stuff in perspective.
Today’s Haiku
WINTER
snow lies on the ground
one red apple left hanging –
blackbird finds a feast
Useful Links:
The title of this post tells
you what it’s all about:
An interesting post on the role of editing in one
writer’s journey to publication.
http://ellisshuman.blogspot.co.il/2013/06/how-i-found-my-editor.html
Join me on Twitter at: teagankearney@modhaiku
To all story lovers out there, good reading, and to
those of you who write, good writing.
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