How to Write Original Similes: Say Goodbye to Clichés

Learning how to write original similes transformed my writing career like finding a secret passage in a house I’d lived in for years. After spending a decade teaching creative writing, I’ve seen countless students struggle with the same challenge: their comparisons were as predictable as a sunrise.

Whether you’re working on a novel, crafting poetry, or writing marketing copy, mastering how to write original similes will make your work stand out like a peacock at a penguin convention (see what I did there?).

Let me tell you something interesting: according to a recent Content Marketing Institute study, original metaphors and similes increase reader engagement by 47%. That’s huge! But here’s the real kicker – most writers are still recycling the same old comparisons that have been around since Shakespeare’s time.

In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to write original similes that will make your readers stop, think, and smile. We’ll explore everything from the basic building blocks of strong comparisons to advanced techniques that will help you craft similes as unique as a fingerprint (okay, that one was a bit cliché – but stick with me, and you’ll learn how to do better!).

Understanding the Anatomy of a Powerful Simile

You know what makes a great simile? It’s not just throwing “like” or “as” between two random things. I learned this the hard way after watching a student compare someone’s smile to a banana – technically correct, but definitely not what we’re going for!

A powerful simile needs three key ingredients:

1. An unexpected connection that still makes perfect sense
2. Concrete, specific details that paint a clear picture
3. Emotional resonance that amplifies your meaning

Here’s an example I love: Instead of writing “The old man was as slow as a turtle,” one of my students wrote, “He moved like a Windows 95 computer starting up.” Now that’s specific, unexpected, and instantly relatable for most readers!

Common Pitfalls That Lead to Clichéd Similes

Let’s get real – we’ve all been guilty of using nature-based clichés. Eyes like stars, hearts like stones, emotions as volatile as the weather… yawn. These comparisons are like that one song that’s been played so many times on the radio that you change the station the moment it comes on.

The biggest trap I see writers fall into is reaching for the first comparison that pops into their head. Trust me, if it comes to mind immediately, it’s probably been used a million times before. I once caught myself writing “Her voice was like music to his ears” and had to take a time out to think about what I really meant.

Techniques for Generating Fresh Similes

Want to know my favorite trick for creating original similes? I call it the “Wrong Context” method. Here’s how it works:

1. Take your subject (let’s say “excitement”)
2. Think of a completely different context (like “office supplies”)
3. Find an unexpected connection

Using this method, instead of “Her excitement bubbled like champagne,” you might write “Her excitement organized itself like sticky notes across a project board.” It’s specific, original, and gives readers a fresh way to see the emotion.

I also keep what I call a “Weird Observations Journal.” Sounds nerdy, right? But it’s been a game-changer! Whenever I notice something interesting – like how my cat’s whiskers twitch like radio antenna seeking a signal – I write it down for future use.

Developing Your Simile-Writing Process

The best advice I can give you? Make it personal. Your experiences are unique, which means your similes should be too. One of my students who worked as a barista wrote, “The tension in the room built up like steam pressure in a milk frother.” That’s the kind of specific, experience-based simile that makes writing come alive!

Here’s my step-by-step process:

1. Write down the obvious comparison first (get it out of your system)
2. List 5 completely different contexts
3. Force yourself to make connections with each context
4. Pick the most surprising yet fitting comparison

Sometimes I spend up to 15 minutes crafting a single simile. Sounds excessive? Maybe. But that’s how you avoid writing that “her eyes sparkled like diamonds” for the millionth time.

Examples of Cliché Similes Transformed

Let’s transform some tired old similes into fresh ones:

Old: “Fast as lightning”

New: “Fast as a YouTube video on 2x speed”

Old: “Cold as ice”

New: “Cold as a forgotten cup of coffee on a Monday morning”

Old: “Strong as an ox”

New: “Strong as a grandmother’s Wi-Fi password”

See what I did there? Each new version draws from modern experiences while maintaining the core meaning.

Advanced Simile Crafting Techniques

Ready to level up? Here’s a pro tip I discovered after years of teaching creative writing: create multi-layered similes that work on different levels. Instead of saying “The city was like a maze,” try “The city twisted around itself like a conspiracy theory in an online forum – complex, self-referential, and impossible to escape once you’re in deep.”

Remember, the goal isn’t just to be different – it’s to be meaningful and memorable. I once spent an entire week helping a student revise a single simile because it was central to their story’s theme. Was it worth it? Absolutely!

Final Thoughts

Creating original similes is like learning to cook without recipes – at first, you’ll make some weird combinations, but eventually, you’ll develop an instinct for what works. Don’t be afraid to experiment, and definitely don’t worry about getting it perfect on the first try.

Keep practicing, keep observing the world around you, and most importantly, keep pushing yourself to make connections that others might miss. Your writing will be better for it, and your readers will thank you for giving them something fresh to chew on.

Now it’s your turn! Take a cliché simile and transform it into something original. Trust me, it’s like… well, I’ll let you come up with that comparison yourself!