Similes and metaphors.

[Altissimus]

I use similes or metaphors in my writing as rarely as you might find a modest peacock, though on occasion one will turn up and I'll feel as smug as Donald Trump after a tweet.

I'm reminded of Blackadder describing a sticky situation as "the stickiest situation since Sticky the stick insect got stuck on a sticky bun."*

How often do similes/metaphors turn up in your work? Does it happen by accident or do you seek to include them?

And, more to the point: what similes/metaphors have you particularly enjoyed reading (whether in your own or another's work)?

* and yes I know this is neither. Paraprosdokian. For some reason I just always think of it when I write a simile or metaphor.

 

[StillStunned]

From a story I'm working on right now: "The sky above was clear and black, stars scattered across the heavens like… well, like stars in a clear night sky."

The best simile I ever came across, and I can't remember where, was something like, "The landscape was as boring as a long descriptive paragraph."

 

[MillieDynamite]

I probably use similies and metaphors in my writing. I don't particularly try to use them, nor do I don't try to avoid them. They just happen like a bloated red full moon rising over the horizon, it's a surprise to me they do.

 

[Djmac1031]

I slip a few in from time to time.

One of my personal favorites from one of my Jenna chapters:

Jenna turned back to me, her eyes as fiery as her hair, with a grin like the Devil's Mistress. "Last rule: no one makes him cum but me."

 

[SimonDoom]

Similes and metaphors can really spice up the writing when they are done right. When they're done wrong, they can be very cringy.

Similes are great for comic effect. I used a bunch of similes in my BTB, Incorporated story, which was told in a jokey Mickey Spillane style. My favorite was this one:

"he shook like a baby in the hands of a psychotic day care provider."

And this one:

"My respect for him, low already, disappeared like steam over bad coffee."

In general, though, I use metaphors and similes more sparingly than I'd like to.

 

[lovecraft68]

Girl, he's eyeing you like a hungry man staring at a buffet.

That boy was beating his dick like it owed him money.

 

[MillieDynamite]

Her hair cascaded down to her shoulders like strands of crimson silk.

 

[lovecraft68]

I rode him like a mechanical bull at a country music bar

 

[lovecraft68]

His face looked like he'd just gone three rounds with Tyson.

 

[lovecraft68]

One of my most shameless

Jo the redhead, Robin's long raven hair, and Claire with her honey blonde curls the three of them were like sexy skittle and there wasn't a man there that wouldn't want to taste the rainbow.

 

[Altissimus]

Similes and metaphors can really spice up the writing when they are done write. When they're done wrong, they can be very cringy.

100%. A deft touch needed, unless a bit of cringe is the route to the humour you're seeking.

 

[Altissimus]

On a less politically-correct front:

Sweating like a black man in a Texas Court

And

Sweating like a pedo on a school bus

...not that I'd ever include them in a story.

 

[Duleigh]

Similes and metaphors in my work? They're as rare as chicken lips, but when you find one it's as fine as frog hair.

 

[Kumquatqueen]

I try not to overdo them. Just scanned one story and only found one, in four pages:
"She was lovin' it, pet," the big blond woman interrupted. "Eyes closed, purring..."
"Like a cat, you had her going," the redhead chipped in. "Real nice.

Plus referring to people as 'obedient sheep', I suppose. (Meaningless Kisses)

Though it occured to me other characters had a more vivid turn of phrase, so a quick scan for 'like' with Adrian narrating, and half-a-dozen on one page - "we're snogging like teenagers at a school disco" and "the man takes the hint, grabs my bent legs to him, and pounds me up the bum like an escaped queer pile-driver." for example.

 

[PrincessArianrhod]

I love metaphor like the trees love the rain. Indeed, I am a bee drawn to their literary nectar.

 

[Bamagan]

His face looked like he'd just gone three rounds with Tyson.

...it was so covered in chicken products.
(Sorry, just amusing myself with deliberate referential errors. I'll let myself out.)

 

[lovecraft68]

...it was so covered in chicken products.
(Sorry, just amusing myself with deliberate referential errors. I'll let myself out.)

Either way his face was battered

 

[lovecraft68]

On a less politically-correct front:

Sweating like a black man in a Texas Court

And

Sweating like a pedo on a school bus

...not that I'd ever include them in a story.

Busier than a one legged man in an ass kicking contest

 

[Bamagan]

I don't necessarily try to use similes, but I'm sure they happen, especially in the context of body parts. I've noticed that there's an extremely high correlation between nipples and diamonds, for example.

 

[Duleigh]

Busier than a one legged man in an ass kicking contest

Busier than a long tailed tom cat in a room full of rocking chairs

 

[Duleigh]

Or, if you've been watching the news

Busier than an Alabama riverboat crew on nickel beer night

 

[Altissimus]

I've noticed that there's an extremely high correlation between nipples and diamonds, for example.

I would argue rather more of the former than the latter.

 

[AchtungNight]

You should not get me started on this topic. I’m a metaphor addict and advocate. A few of mine from Passion 4-

“This is our turf, bitches. Back off!”
“We’re not hookers. Just ‘Almost Famous’.”
“Ladies, fucking ladies, Jay & Silent Bob got what you need!”
“It’s getting over me, trying to take control of me, it’s only causing me a hot hot riot!”
“It’s Snake Plissken. I thought he was dead.”
“I’m a navigator on a small destroyer…”
“She’s only guilty by association and a bit institution-alized.”
“Shove your bigotry up your shit-chute.”
“Two houses, both alike in dignity. In fair Los Angeles, where we lay our scene…”
“Do you not want to make peace with your enemy?”
“These people need rooms.”
“My husband is a rock star off fucking groupies. Interested in helping me see if I like returning the favor?”
[pool party with some very attractive people not allowed to participate while others do]
“Prison gates won’t open up for me! Come please, I’m calling…”
Red sky at morning….
“When you look into an abyss, it looks back…”
“Let’s Get it On…”

https://www.literotica.com/s/passion-of-erika-christensen-ch-04

Hope readers enjoy!

 

[lovecraft68]

I've noticed that there's an extremely high correlation between nipples and diamonds, for example.

Pearls and clits

 

[Bamagan]

Pearls and clits

Proof that writers treasure women or enjoy commoditizing them?