Welcome to Gaia! :: Writing and Publishing Tips and Links

I read through (most) of this thread and I have a bit of a question that was worrying me. I was wondering, does a writer's success with a book (let's say the writer's first book) depend on how successful or well-known the publishing house that publishes that book is? Or does a writer's success truly reflect on the individual's skill? Like could a big-name publisher make a book more successful than a regular, run-of-the-mill publisher could? I'm not talking about vanity press or any sort of self-publishing agency, but a real, no-s**t, official publisher.

To answer that from a really big reader, it's kind of like video games. The better review, the better the game. To put it more simply, if a book is said to be really good, it will be but it also might not be. All authors are judged on their work. If you write an incredible book, people will love it for that instead of the format.

That's how Ellen Hopkins is. She writes in-verse (poem form) and people love her books because of her truths of deep issues that are commonly ignored. She's where I get my inspiration from because now I write in real life.

To the writer of this thread - These tips are really helpful but I'm currently not finding any information on how to send them an email for confirmation or to ask a few questions but it could be because I didn't search hard enough. Do you have anymore advice?

Hey, thanks alot for all of the advice! biggrin

oh great, tip smile thanks so much heart

This has helped me sooooooo much. Thanks! heart heart

It's pretty tricky pinpointing the difference between similes and metaphors. Even trickier to know when to use them, how to avoid the "forced metaphor" cliche similes, and how to "figure" out figurative language. Some writers seem to have the knack: metaphors roll from their fingertips and similes are something they can do in their sleep. The instinct when to use the appropriate figurative language can be honed, but it takes practice and time.

Avoid: Sticking in metaphors or similes anywhere in your writing to "spice it up". Most of the time these will look contrived and feel contrived. A poor metaphor or simile will throw a reader right out of your story - and you don't want that!

From the book Word Painting by Rebecca McClanahan : Metaphor, like all components of successful description, begins in the eye and ear of the beholder. It isn't fancy embroidery stitch, something with which to embellish the surface of the written piece. It's the whole cloth of which writing is formed.


A simile is a comparison using "like" or "as" other less common links are "than" and "resembles".

A metaphor is an comparison implied between two objects that suggests a wide range of qualities.

Simile: Your skin is like moonlight.
Metaphor: your skin is moonlight.

The difference is more than one word. A metaphor is two parts: the tenor, or the "main subject" that is usually a thing, but can be an idea or emotion. And the vehicle, the concrete image giving weight to the main subject; e.g. "he carried his guilt like a heavy suitcase". Guilt is the tenor, and suitcase is the vehicle. An effective metaphor does more than shed light on the two things being compared. It can bring to the mind's eye something that has never been seen before.

Then there is the implied metaphor, a metaphor that only has the one side of the tenor or vehicle.

Such as: Your skin is radiant and glows from within. The tenor (skin) is present, but radiant and glows merely suggests the vehicle (moonlight).

Bottom line: A Metaphor is an implied comparison. Simile is comparison made explicit. The simile calls attention to itself as a figure of speech; it not only shows the relationship between the two things compared, it explains the relationship.

A metaphor suggests the thing being compared is the other, and for this reason, metaphor carries more weight in emotion and intensity than a simile.

Other Figurative Language

Hyperbole: is an exaggerated metaphor or simile.

=> Your boss is a pig or your hair is brighter than the most radiant ruby.

Personification: giving an inanimate object, force of nature or an abstract term traits as if it were a person.

=> The roses hesitated at the coming of the dawn, uncertain whether to spread their petals or stay closed against the unseasonably cold air.

Animism: Closely related to personification, but does not imply human life.

=> My anger was swept away by the wind and he flew over the trees, his eyes wide and mouth yawning in a scream.

Paradox: Creates a relationship that at first seems contradictory, but upon closer examination, makes sense.

I loved my sister too much to stay with her.

Metonymy: Referring to something not by its name, but a close relation.

=> Who's watching the baby? Not the mother, but the "hand that rocks the cradle". The President is the "White House"

Analogy: Is a comparison between two relationships, but contains four parts.

=> From Franz Kafke: A book is an axe for the frozen sea within.

Allegory: is a story or description where each element is metaphorical. these elements "add up" to something greater than the sum of their parts. This is an extended metaphor.

Conceit: Is a complicated comparison between two things extremely unalike. This requires logic and ingenuity on the writer's part. Not recommended unless you really know what you're doing.

=> Think separated lovers compared to the legs of a compass as in John Donne's poem, "A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning."

Symbols: As in metaphor, with the two sides: the tenor and the vehicle, symbolism is only the vehicle itself. A symbol points to the abstraction. As Poe's "The Raven", death isn't the symbol; the bird is. In the Red Badge of Courage, courage isn't the symbol, the blood is. A symbol reveals itself slowly, growing from its source from setting, character, plot, conflict, language and from our passion. A symbol can carry the weight of a hundred lesser metaphors. It's a powerful tool.

Use wisely, for if a symbol is forced, it can ruin the entire story.



Now, when to use metaphors and the like? The answer is: whenever it feels natural. I keep saying do not force these onto your writing and I mean it. Metaphors exist in the imagination, they come from our emotion, our memories, our childhood, our dreams. The best thing to do is not worry about it; metaphors are at best self-conscious and bad metaphors are like a poke in the arm to the reader. If we have too many in our writing, they call attention to themselves. Use them with discretion.

If you're having trouble with metaphors or figurative language in general, try to read poetry, study surreal artwork, play with children; children often find interesting uses for every day items. Study other authors who use metaphor effectively in their stories. Look at an ordinary household item and imagine another use for it. Can a chopsticks be antlers? Can a spoon or bowl be a hat? Could they combined to make a boat?

Use your imagination smile

You're welcome Aubree smile