A SHEEP OR A ROCK?

Lynnette Jalufka

Comparisons are a useful way to create imagery in a story. My friend considers a well-written novel to be full of metaphors. In the book Word Painting: A Guide to Writing More Descriptively, Rebecca McClanahan states, “An effective metaphor or simile is significantwhen it calls forth an image that reinforces the overall description.”

Beware of mixing your metaphors. For example: “The fluffy sheep grazed in the pasture, a black rock in knee-deep grass.”

Wait. Rocks are solid and unmoving. The sheep is soft and in motion. Which image am I suppose picture in my mind?

Every word you choose is important. They should work together to create one solid image to immerse your readers into your world.