When it comes to writing, similes are powerful tools that can enhance your descriptions and create vivid imagery. However, overused similes can make your writing feel predictable and lackluster. If you’ve ever found yourself reaching for clichés like “as slow as a turtle” or “as bright as the sun,” you know how these tired comparisons can weaken your work.
How to write original similes is an essential skill for any writer. Crafting unique and fresh comparisons will help your writing stand out, making your descriptions more engaging and memorable. Whether you’re writing a novel, poem, or blog post, mastering how to write original similes can elevate your work to a new level.
In this guide, we’ll explore the art of creating original similes. From avoiding clichés to using creative techniques, you’ll learn the steps to make your comparisons as unique as your writing style.
What Makes a Strong Simile?
To truly understand how to write original similes, it’s essential to know what makes a simile effective. A strong simile does more than just compare two things—it paints a vivid picture in the reader’s mind, adds depth, and evokes emotion. Here are the three key ingredients that make a simile work:
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Unexpected Connections – A great simile connects two seemingly unrelated things in a way that surprises but makes perfect sense.
Example: “Her laugh was like a balloon popping in a silent room.” This unexpected connection captures both the sound and the effect of her laugh in a unique way. -
Concrete Details – Strong similes use specific, tangible details that help the reader visualize the comparison.
Example: “The cake was as moist as a freshly picked strawberry.” This simile uses a specific detail to bring the description to life. -
Emotional Impact – The best similes evoke an emotional response, whether it’s joy, sorrow, or excitement.
Example: “His words hit me like a cold gust of wind—shocking and unwelcoming.” This simile enhances the emotional weight of the sentence.
By following these three guidelines, you can begin to understand how to write original similes that resonate with your readers and breathe life into your writing.
Avoiding Clichéd Similes
One of the biggest challenges in learning how to write original similes is avoiding clichés. Overused phrases like “as fast as lightning” or “as cold as ice” have become so familiar that they no longer have any impact. These comparisons can make your writing feel stale and uninspired.
How to write original similes involves moving past these predictable, overused comparisons. If a simile comes to mind too quickly, there’s a good chance it’s a cliché. Instead, take a moment to think of something more unique and fitting for your subject.
Let’s look at a few examples of clichéd similes and how they can be improved:
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“As fast as lightning” → “As fast as a squirrel darting across a busy street.”
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“As cold as ice” → “As cold as an abandoned car on a winter morning.”
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“As strong as an ox” → “As strong as a tree rooted deep in the ground.”
By breaking free from the familiar, you begin to discover how to write original similes that feel fresh and engaging.
Techniques for Crafting Original Similes
So, how can you generate these fresh and unique comparisons? Let’s explore some techniques that will help you understand how to write original similes.
1. The “Wrong Context” Method
This technique is simple but effective. It involves thinking of your subject in a completely different context. For example:
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Step 1: Take your subject (e.g., “excitement”).
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Step 2: Think of an unrelated context (e.g., “tools”).
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Step 3: Find a surprising connection between them.
Instead of writing “Her excitement bubbled like champagne,” you could write “Her excitement scattered itself like loose screws in a toolbox.” It’s unexpected, specific, and original. This method helps you think outside the box and find connections that others might overlook.
By practicing this method, you’ll start to grasp how to write original similes with ease.
2. Use Personal Experience
One of the best ways to write original similes is by drawing from your own experiences. Personal, relatable comparisons add authenticity and depth to your writing. Consider moments from your life that have made an impact, and translate those experiences into unique similes.
For example:
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If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by a deadline, you might say, “The pressure built like waves crashing against a storm-beaten shore.”
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If you’ve felt nostalgic about childhood memories, you might write, “The memory was as sweet as the first bite of homemade apple pie.”
Your experiences are unique, and by incorporating them, you’re showing readers exactly how to write original similes that feel personal and real.
3. Draw Inspiration from the Modern World
Clichéd similes often come from nature or timeless sources, but to keep things fresh, try incorporating modern references into your comparisons. Think about technology, pop culture, or current events.
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“As fast as a 5G connection”
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“As smooth as a touch-screen phone”
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“As strong as a Wi-Fi signal at peak hours”
These references bring your similes into the present and make them feel relevant to today’s audience. By using modern elements, you show your readers exactly how to write original similes in a way that connects with their daily lives.
4. Combine Similes and Metaphors
If you want to take your simile-writing to the next level, try blending similes with metaphors. This hybrid approach creates multi-layered comparisons that are both rich and creative.
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Example: “The city was like a spider’s web, its streets tangled like threads in a loom.” Here, the simile and metaphor combine to convey the complexity and confusion of city streets in an original and evocative way.
Mixing similes with metaphors shows your mastery of creative writing and helps you understand how to write original similes that stand out.
A Step-by-Step Process for Crafting Original Similes
Creating original similes is a process that requires time and thought. Here’s a simple, step-by-step method to help you learn how to write original similes effectively:
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Start with the obvious comparison.
Get your first idea down on paper, even if it’s a cliché. It’s important to start the process and then refine it later. -
Brainstorm five different contexts.
Think about unrelated areas like objects, emotions, or experiences. How could they be connected to your subject? -
Find unexpected connections.
Take the contexts you brainstormed and try to link them to your subject in unique ways. -
Choose the most fitting and surprising comparison.
Pick the one that feels both surprising and clear. This will be the simile that elevates your writing. -
Refine it.
Make sure your simile is specific, evocative, and emotionally resonant. This is the final step in learning how to write original similes.
Developing Your Simile-Writing Process
Creating original similes takes time, practice, and a little creativity. The best way to master how to write original similes is to develop your own process for crafting them. Just like any other aspect of writing, practice makes perfect. Here’s a step-by-step guide to developing your simile-writing process:
1. Start with the Basics
When you first start writing a simile, it’s okay to fall back on the obvious comparison. This is simply to get your creative juices flowing. For instance, if you’re describing a slow person, you might think of the typical comparison, “as slow as a turtle.”
This might seem like a cliché, but don’t worry! The goal here is to get that first idea on paper. Once you’ve written down the obvious comparison, it’s time to push yourself further and think about how to make it more original.
2. Challenge Yourself with Unexpected Comparisons
Once you’ve got the first comparison out of the way, it’s time to move on to more unusual comparisons. Here’s where you can use your “wrong context” method. Take your subject—let’s say “anger”—and think of something completely unrelated, like “kitchen appliances.” Now try to come up with a comparison, such as “Her anger buzzed like a malfunctioning blender.”
This technique forces you to make connections that are unique, and it shows you exactly how to write original similes that are fresh and surprising.
3. Use Your Surroundings for Inspiration
Another way to enhance your simile-writing process is by using your immediate surroundings as inspiration. Look at objects around you, the people you interact with, or the events happening in your life. Inspiration can strike at any moment.
For example, if you’re sitting in a coffee shop and watching someone work at their laptop, you might think, “His concentration was as steady as a coffee stirrer stuck in a mug.” It’s specific to the situation, and it provides a fresh perspective.
By drawing inspiration from your environment, you’ll see how to make your comparisons both original and relatable.
4. Refine and Edit
Great similes don’t always come out perfectly on the first try. Often, you’ll need to refine and edit them to make sure they’re both original and effective. Don’t be afraid to rework your similes until they feel right.
When editing, focus on the following:
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Clarity: Does the simile make sense? Can the reader clearly picture the comparison?
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Specificity: Are you using concrete, specific details?
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Emotion: Does the simile evoke a feeling or add depth to the sentence?
If your simile passes these tests, it’s likely a great fit for your writing. Remember, how to write original similes is a practice that involves both creativity and careful editing.
More Tips for Crafting Memorable Similes
To become an expert at how to write original similes, it’s important to consistently push the boundaries of creativity. Here are some additional tips to help you take your simile-writing skills to the next level:
1. Use Metaphors and Similes Together
As mentioned earlier, blending metaphors with similes can make your comparisons more layered and impactful. A metaphor asserts that something is something else, while a simile simply compares it using “like” or “as.” Combining these two devices allows you to add complexity and depth.
For example:
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“The old house creaked like a door on a stormy night, its walls holding memories like photographs in an old album.”
Here, the simile and metaphor work together to give the description more texture, helping the reader feel both the sound and the weight of the house.
2. Draw from Specific Experiences
Your experiences are full of rich material for original similes. Whether it’s a family tradition, a favorite childhood memory, or an unforgettable trip, these details can bring an extra layer of authenticity and relatability to your writing.
For instance:
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“Her laughter was as contagious as a song you can’t stop humming after hearing it once.”
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“The quiet was as deep as the silence in a library on the first day of summer.”
Both of these similes draw from real experiences—things you can almost physically feel or imagine. By using such similes, you help your readers connect more deeply with your writing.
3. Keep It Simple
While it’s tempting to craft intricate, long-winded similes, sometimes less is more. The most powerful similes are often the simplest ones. When considering how to write original similes, remember that clarity and brevity are your friends.
For example, instead of saying “The forest was dark and eerie, its trees looming like the shadows of ghosts long forgotten,” you could say “The forest was as dark as a forgotten room.” It’s shorter, but just as effective and more immediate.
4. Embrace the Unexpected
One of the hallmarks of original similes is their ability to surprise. Try combining elements that don’t usually go together to create something fresh. For example:
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“Her voice was like a cup of over-brewed coffee—bitter, strong, and hard to ignore.”
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“His resolve was like a leaky faucet—persistent, even when it seemed insignificant.”
These comparisons are unusual but still make perfect sense, and they are more likely to capture the reader’s attention.
Final Thoughts on How to Write Original Similes
The art of how to write original similes is about much more than just avoiding clichés. It’s about making fresh connections, being specific, and evoking strong emotions. By taking your time to think through your comparisons and using creative techniques, you can craft similes that elevate your writing and captivate your readers.
The key is to practice and refine your simile-writing process. As you get more comfortable with it, creating original and meaningful comparisons will become second nature. So, the next time you sit down to write, challenge yourself to think beyond the obvious and start crafting similes that are as unique as your voice.
