Having recently purchased the book The Five Minute Writer, I thought I would post the results of Exercise 3 where writers are asked to make a list of abstract nouns (e.g. life, love, wealth, sadness etc) followed by a list of concrete nouns and attempt to make connections, starting the first sentence with “_____ is like a ______”.
Misery is like a notepad, a history of sadness. The leaves combined collect tales of regret and misfortune. They can be torn free and destroyed, but the paper trails linger with memories; a shredded palimpsest. Mistakes can be rewritten, new tales can be spun, but all equates to a thicker wad of failings. Misery can be lifted, with a new perspective like a fresh notepad of recycled pages.
Happiness is like a mug full of tea. It’s sweet and comforting. Its perfection lasts a specific amount of time and then fades. It’s made from a careful routine that is easily spoilt. When drained, there’s an empty hollowness to the day until the mug is filled again.
Love is like a pill packet. The answer to all problems, a dangerous indulgence, a fixer, an addiction, a wrecker. A combination of chemicals evoking and triggering moods and impulses. A cure to life’s problems and the start of more side effects. Bitter aftertaste, a history of negative reactions.
This is a really stimulating exercise and beginning with “life” is a good way to start. I liked it as it made me make comparisons as you would in looking for similes in the world. It avoids us making the same cliched similes and metaphors too.
To Another Magnet 