Prompt–Sunday, August 14

Suzanna Anderson Creates ♦ August 14, 2011 ♦ Leave a comment

“He ached from head to foot, all zones of pain seemingly interdependent. He was rather like a Christmas tree whose lights, wired in series, must all go out if even one bulb is defective.” (161)

The quote above is from J.D. Salinger’s “Nine Stories,” specifically the short story “For Esme—with Love and Squalor.” Reading these two sentences inspired me to write more creative similes that go beyond the figurative language to add more details to the character’s mindset.

Brainstorm a list of 5 similes (or metaphors) and use one in a piece of writing.

My list of five:

1. She curled up in bed with a cup of hot tea and biscuits to read the latest fashion magazine like a turtle who decided to stay in her shell.

2. Christopher sat down like a mouse ready to nibble his captured cheese.

3. She cleaned with a fury that defied the demons she trapped inside.

4. Like an excited child when the paint was released, she was ready to dig in to the parenting books from the library.

5. Charla’s dog jumped up and licked every visitor’s chin, like an extroverted human without a leash.

She cleaned with a fury
that defied the demons
she had strapped inside,
locked into a cage,
never to be released,
certainly not by her,
and then she met him.
He had more demons
than she expected,
locked in his own cellar.