Metaphors and similes are constantly being used in writing, on television, in poetry, in the media, and in everyday conversations to compare one thing to another.
And the examples are endless. Such as ...
Life is like a box of chocolates.
My life is an open book.
She is as sharp as a tack.
Steve is as cool as the other side of the pillow.
But how many metaphors and similes exist when talking about the writing process? Well, being the nosey writer that I am, I decided to check it out.
And trust me when I say this – there are a lot!
First things first – What's the difference between a metaphor and a simile?
Metaphors and similes serve a similar purpose in adding color to your writing. They also help a reader draw a connection, evoke a mood, establish a memory, etc. The only difference between the two are a few simple words. A metaphor is defined as a figure of speech that describes an object or action in a way that helps explain an idea or make a comparison. A simile serves the same purpose in writing, with the exception of adding "like" or "as."
For example ...
She is as sly as a fox (simile).
He has a heart of stone (metaphor).
But back to my point ... there are many colorful figures of speech about writing. Here are 14 metaphors and similes that expertly describe the writing process.
“Good writing is like a windowpane.” – George Orwell.
"All good writing is swimming underwater and holding your breath." – F. Scott Fitzgerald.
"Writing is like painting a picture using words." – Unknown author.
"Writing is like running a race. You sweat until you cross the finish line." – Judith Briles.
"Writing is like a board game. I only like it when I'm in control." – Unknown author.
"Writing is like opening the closet you haven't cleared out in years. You are looking for the ice skates but find the Halloween costumes. Don't start trying on all the costumes right now. You need the ice skates. So, find the ice skates. You can go back later and try on all the Halloween costumes." – Michele Weldon, Writing to Save Your Life, 2001.
“Writing is an exploration. You start from nothing and learn as you go.” – E. L. Doctorow.
"Writing's a lot like cooking. Sometimes the cake won't rise no matter what you do. Now and again the cake tastes better than you ever could have dreamed." – Neil Gaiman.
"Writing is like running away. Running away to a place you made with your own hand." – YK Raikou.
"Writing is a deeply immersive experience. When the words are flying, the house could be burgled, and I wouldn't notice. I have a low boredom threshold, and I like intensity. Writing is a way of escaping the quotidian." – Monica Ali.
"Being a writer is easy. It's like riding a bike, except the bike is on fire, you're on fire, everything is on fire, and you're in hell." – unknown author.
“Writing a novel is like driving a car at night. You can only see as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.” – E. L. Doctorow.
"Writing is like a light bulb switching on when an idea comes to mind." – unknown author.
"Writing is an act of faith, not a trick of grammar." – E. B. White.
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Thanks for reading!
*STEVE GAMEL is the President & Owner of Edit This, a writing and editing services company located in Denton, TX, and the author of Write Like You Mean It: Mastering Your Passion For The Written Word. Steve handles anything involving the written word. Give him a call today to help give your business a clear voice.