As a family, we have been having great fun talking about similes, which ones are the best and which ones are really clever.

We were thinking of writing down the similes that come to us, that we think are really good. So we remember them and can use them in the future.

Mother was reading a book, and she said the similes were so good the lady who wrote it must have a brilliant mind; how does one come up with such similes? Do they just come to you, or do they take a great amount of time to think up?

What is your favourite simile and can you have too many? I sometimes think that if you have too many, it interferes with the flow of the writing. Opinions?

When I first glanced at this, I read it as 'smilies'.

But anyway. I don't use a lot of similes in my novels. Normally I'll use a couple per chapter, but I love rich descriptions.

I love using similes in my descriptions when I am trying to draw attention to a particular object or person. Though, I don't have a particular one I use most often because I make it a rule not to use the same simile twice.

Here are some of mine.

His hair was as black as a ravens feather and his smoky blue eyes held a friendly twinkle in their depths.

The trees whispered and groaned as the wind whistled through their branches, depriving them of some of their leaves; their thin, gnarled fingers reached out as the two men rode through the woods, as if trying to touch their bodies almost crying out for warmth.

Darkness crept through the land with inquisitive fingers, looking in every corner and cranny; the wind whispered secrets to the trees and leaves, snickering in mocking tones. It was Friday night. The moon cast an eerie glare over the woods and the stars shone down like sentinels ever watching any slight movement.

I really like those, Elanor, especially the last one.

I try to use similes, because I love it when I find them in books. But I'm afraid I'm not very good at coming up with them. It takes me a while, so I usually end going back through my book and adding them in. I might look for a couple to post later.

I love using similes!
I was very tired late at night one time and was brainstorming some... One of them looked like this...



Lol!

*rolls on the floor honking for breath like a goose; thereafter dies laughing*




I once heard a writing teacher say that people almost always have the opposite problem of not using them enough. I understand they are hard to overdo.

But, you asked how people think them up. Every now and then I think "I should probably use another simile/metaphor thingy about now..." So I keep my eyes peeled for an opportunity. If none pop out at me, then I burn some energy thinking one up. It may not stay, but it is good practice!

I'm not sure I really use similies... I try to be very organic when I describe stuff. Hmmm.... *must go look now *

*wonders what has happend to Camille*