Spice Up Your Novel With
A Figure of Speech Or Two

When you write a novel, you may find yourself unconsciously using a figure of speech repeatedly. While there's nothing wrong with that, if it fits the novel's style, you must be cautious not to overuse such constructions.


What's the Meaning of This?

In their attempt to make their writing fresh, writers tend to enjoy creating phrases with unusual meanings. Instead of clarifying themselves, though, they may end up muddying the waters.

So, a figure of speech is a word that can be used to mean several things, or a phrase that implies a deeper meaning. Rather than being straightforward, you are trying to create a different emphasis or skewed meaning.

Done well, such a configuration of words sings. (See, there I am, playing around with the meanings. Words can't literally sing, now can they?) Some books are full of such language, and can be a joy to read, as long as that's what you're reading them for.

If that isn't the purpose of your reading - or the author's intention with the book - it's time to move on.

So, feel free to indulge, but not to excess.


How's That Again?

I'd be the first to admit that I like playing with my words. (Which is not nearly as messy as playing with my food.) Twisting words into new meanings is much like a game to me, and I find myself doing it without thinking.

However, when it comes to your novel, some care must be used or you'll confuse the heck out of your readers.

I found a great example of how many meanings a figure of speech may have by looking the phrase up via Google. Wikipedia gives this example:

I am going to crown you.

The word "crown" can be taken several ways such as:

• I am going to place a literal crown on your head.
• I am going to symbolically exalt you to the place of kingship.
• I am going to put a second checker piece on top of your checker piece to signify that it has become a king (as in the game of checkers).
• I am going to violently strike you on the head with an object.

Obviously, if you're going to play with words this way, you better be sure you make your meaning clear for the context.

Beyond that, too much of this sort of writing can get tedious to read and decipher. So use figures of speech sparingly.


Six of One Kind...

If your novel lends itself to the occasional use of a figure of speech, go for it. Just try to be creative when you use language this way.

One of my favorite uses of such wording is to say something, then insist I meant the literal, not the figurative interpretation. My son does this to me all the time. If I say "Please throw your garbage," he will pick up his crumpled napkin and toss it into the air (rather than throw it in the garbage, which is what I meant).

This could be great inspiration for a character who is forever taking things literally and causing problems (or just laughter) over it. None of this has to be difficult. Just think about how you say everyday things (like the above example), then have fun goofing around with it.

However you choose to use figures of speech in your books, enjoy the process of creating new ways to say the same old things.