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Using Metaphors: Metaphorically Speaking

August 9, 2017 by Jim Potter 2 Comments

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·  Metaphorically Speaking  ·

“Our marriage is like an iris that no longer blooms,” she said. “It doesn’t laugh. It doesn’t smile. The plant looks healthy but never joyous.”

“Jesse, you can still bloom,” the counselor said.

“Is it too late?” Jesse asked. “A healthy marriage needs the right nutrients. A good marriage, a great marriage, has the right ingredients and it has them in balance: the right amount of air, sun, and water.”

I marvel at the sight of blooming iris. They bring me pleasure. So, it’s not surprising that irises found a way into my contemporary novel, Taking Back the Bullet. The character-driven literary fiction is not a horticulture manual, but I found the opportunity to compliment the wonders of God’s creations.

Jesse explains how too little sun and too much water are both problems for rhizomes. (“They don’t like wet feet,” she said, “unless they’re Louisiana iris.”)

Metaphorically speaking, Jesse is the iris who needs a change of environment in order to thrive.

Two years ago I took a course through the K-State Research and Extension Office, called Master Gardeners. The classes were packed full of information on understanding the needs of plants and identifying the many resources at our fingertips.

Because I was engulfed in nature, in and out of the classroom, I was thinking about my irises so much that they elbowed (another metaphor, irises don’t exactly have elbows) their way into my writing. It’s not surprising. Our thoughts become our actions.

Which reminds me of the author who was castigated by his fans when he killed off a popular character in his crime novel. He tried to explain that sometimes the characters push the writer aside and take over literary control. “I couldn’t help it,” he explained. “I entered the room and found her dead.”

In my novel I also have a scene where a young character shows off her pet worms. The scene was due to a Master Gardener class that covered the topics of soil science and organic matter. The instructor introduced us to the joys of composting and raising worms, earthworms that is, red wigglers, Eisenia fetida, to be precise.

After a growing number of students built worm bins and received their mail-ordered hermaphrodites, we were soon asking each other a common question: “How are your worms?” followed by uncontrolled laughter!

When laughter comes so easily, then it’s worth recycling into your writing.

So, all you writers out there, write what makes you happy and remember to listen to conversations. Carry a notepad or write on your phone’s memo screen.

Use real life to help your writing come to life.

“Do you want to see my worms,” Suanna asked Julia and Hannah. They’re in my bedroom.” Suanna is serious, and her friends don’t laugh. Instead they’re curious, like any good gardener . . . or writer.

Until next time, happy writing and reading!

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  1. Phil Wood says

    Interesting thought, “write what makes you happy.” I would do that but I feel that nobody wants to read about what makes me happy. So what I probably need to do is find a way to sneak up on it and make it interesting and entertaining or find a metaphor.

    Reply
    • Jim Potter says

      My novel, Taking Back the Bullet, is not full of happiness. It’s essentially serious and about conflict. But it makes me happy to create believable characters and situations that readers can identify with and learn from.

      Reply

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Karleen Wilson-Moon

Terrific story relevant to today’s social issues . . . well written . . . likable characters . . . insightful perspective from an insider in law enforcement.

Larry Kruckman, anthropologist

Jim Potter displays ethnographic skills in Taking Back the Bullet: Trajectories of Self-Discovery, creating vivid scenes and fascinating characters. The Greeks had a word for subcultures and people’s behavior: ‘ethos,’ or ‘ways of being.’ In colorful, sometimes marvelous detail, this novel captures various people and settings . . . the ethos of rural Kansas: a… Read more “Larry Kruckman, anthropologist”

Steve Becker

I’m impressed. It was an excellent read. . . . I hope you continue with more projects in the future.

Morgan Penner

Taking Back the Bullet is a novel that provides the reader with a window into the world of law enforcement. As the novel unfolds, the reader is able to see how split-second decisions alter the lives of the main characters in the story. Taking Back the Bullet also explores how humanity is impacted by mental… Read more “Morgan Penner”

Sean McArdle, Winchester, England

Retired police officer Potter’s novel centers on very disparate characters and through the tried and tested means of gradually introducing each one, builds a sense of anticipation about what is going to happen to them. This often used methodology is not easy to do well but is superbly handled by Potter who knows how to… Read more “Sean McArdle, Winchester, England”

Jane Holzrichter

I finished it last night around midnight. What a great piece of work. It kept me intrigued all the way to the end.

Deb Theis, LSCSW, clinical therapist/hypnotherapist

Jim Potter has done it again! After his book, Cop in the Classroom: Lessons I’ve Learned, Tales I’ve Told, Jim has written another great work. In Taking Back the Bullet: Trajectories of Self-Discovery, Jim Potter takes us on an insightful journey into the lives and relationships of numerous characters. Jim is such a talented storyteller… Read more “Deb Theis, LSCSW, clinical therapist/hypnotherapist”

Diana Dester

Good story line, building the characters along the way. Great job!

Wynona Winn, PhD, retired school superintendent

Three main characters walk different paths but with the same destination – each coping with his or her self-discovery, self-identity, and self-realization. Much like their earlier counterparts – Huck Finn and Holden Caulfield – their journeys are often joyous, often tedious and often tragic.

Judy Hawk

. . . I was impressed with the Native American information as well as the depth of character development . . . .

John & Cindy Morrill, 20 years Air Force retired, 17 years law enforcement

I enjoyed your book. When I am looking for a new read, I always read the first page, last page and choose a random page somewhere in the middle before I decide to buy it. You had me on all three pages. I also like reading a book where you can relate to the characters… Read more “John & Cindy Morrill, 20 years Air Force retired, 17 years law enforcement”

Sheryl Remar

I enjoyed the different stories of this book because Tom, James, and Suanna, the three main characters, represent in their own way the different struggles with themselves and society’s idea of what is normal.

Rebecca Schillaci

As a former law enforcement officer, I found the story very relatable as it details the life of a law enforcement officer and the struggles some face throughout their careers. . . Taking Back the Bullet is a journey of understanding, respect, and forgiveness . . .

Dennis Perrin, educator

Masterful storytelling, exquisite character development, so real as to HURT and HOPE, a real page turner. Begs for stage, screenwriters, and visual episodic development a.k.a. TV series . . . Thanks Jim Potter for telling it like it is AND providing us visions of how it could be. Well done!

Rebecca from Proud Police Wife

Taking Back the Bullet is an emotional, yet captivating novel. Jim Potter does a superb job of intertwining each character and putting their individual identities on display. All law enforcement storylines are a true reflection of Potter’s years as a police officer because they are realistic and relatable. This is a book I highly recommend.

Denise Low, author of Jackalope (Red Mountain Press)

Jim Potter is a cop, retired, but he brings deep understanding of this job to his novel Taking Back the Bullet: Trajectories of Self-Discovery. This layered novel has literary dimensions as characters explore crisis situations. Congratulations to this fine writer for his debut novel.

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