Friday, October 1, 2010

I'll Just Die if You Don't Read This!

"I tend to basically exaggerate in life, and in writing, it's fine to exaggerate. I really enjoy overstating for the purpose of getting a laugh. For another thing, writing is easier than digging ditches. Well, actually that's an exaggeration. It isn't."
~ Dr. Seuss


Exaggeration is a wonderful tool, one used successfully by great writers. And by young adults! Everything is hyperbole to a teenager. They'll just DIE if they don't get lunch by noon, if they have a fight with a friend, if they can't stay out past ten.

The use of simile and metaphor are a way to create hyperbole in our writing. Creating powerful and exaggerated visual images is another. Suzanne Pitner used the following example:
“His face was worn, eroded by years of hard work, deep wrinkled canyons carved into his features, laugh lines so deep a small child might get lost in them.”
Michael Grant does a wonderful job of using hyperbole to create humor in The Magnificent Twelve. Janet Evanovich is another master. And of course, Dr. Seuss! Don't forget the value of exaggeration when creating your stories.

Have a wonderful weekend!

29 comments:

erica m. chapman said...

Great post! Dr. Seuss and Janet Evanovich are two of my fav's ;o) Great advice.

Have a great weekend!

Anonymous said...

I really enjoyed Michael Grant's book, Gone. And Dr. Seuss is one of my favorites: "At the far edge of town where the grickle grass grows and the wind smells sweet and sour when it blows..."

Jeanette Levellie said...

Oh, I love this post more than chocolates, I get cramps in my fingers if I go too long without using hyperboles, and Dr. Seuss is my best friend in the universe; he taught me everything I know! How was that?

Seriously, I didn't know there was such a book; I must add it to my Christmas wish list. Thanks!
Jen

Bast said...

Exaggeration is incredibly important! Great reminder!

Have a good weekend!

Susan R. Mills said...

Hyperbole is a great tool. Great post!

Sherrie Petersen said...

Exaggeration is perfect in kids books because it makes them smile :)

Patti said...

Like everything else, used in moderation is great.

Kasie West said...

I love to exaggerate. And coincidentally my characters are good at it too. Go figure. :)

Karen Lange said...

Very good, love this element in writing. I encourage my writing students to use it as a means to get them to write something fun, and to see that writing is a good thing.
Happy weekend,
Karen

Mary Aalgaard said...

Oh, the Thinks you can Think in a really big way with exaggeration!

Laura S. said...

Ooo, yes, Evanovich is really great! Dr. Seuss is the best! I remember learning about hyperbole in language arts in grade school-kids have fun exaggerating! I still like it as an adult, haha.

Stephanie Thornton said...

Okay, I love Dr. Seuss. And I adore hyperbole- I do a whole revision to focus on peppering my MS with those crazy little lines.

Happy weekend!

BK Mattingly said...

Exaggeration, a writer's tool after my own heart. Have a good weekend!

Courtney Barr - The Southern Princess said...

Gorgeous, exaggeration is a southerner's creed! ;o)

Love this; as always!


Visit My Kingdom Anytime

Tamika: said...

I heart hyberboles:) Great post!

Charmaine Clancy said...

hyperboles are great when you're writing kids, teens or dogs - they all love to exaggerate!

Tabitha Bird said...

so true when writing for kids and teens :)

Thank you for visiting my blog. I came by to say a massive thank you for your comment on my post WHY I WRITE. I really appreciate such support. thanks :)

J.R. Johansson said...

Great point about exaggeration. It's so important to remember that when writing teenagers. Great post! :)

Arlee Bird said...

I too am a fan of expressive hyperbole. Some of my friends back in East Tennessee can really spin good tales and they'll come up with the craziest exagerations. I just love hearing it.

Lee
Tossing It Out

ali cross said...

Absolutely true. And that example from Pitner was brilliant.

Janna Leadbetter said...

Awesome post, Shannon!

Terri Tiffany said...

Working on it!!

Patti Lacy said...

You always think of the most creative things!

Hmmm. If I use exaggeration, it's usually in a sarcastic way.

Will have to work on this!!
P

Jemi Fraser said...

Love this! I work with kids and you're so right!! :)

Miss T said...

Dr Seuss rocks!

Tina Laurel Lee said...

I like this. I am going to watch for hyperbole now as I read!

Jennie Englund said...

Our smart young friend Shoshana was wearing this t-shirt the other night: GREATEST HYPERBOLE T-SHIRT EVER!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I've always liked Dr Seuss.

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Shannon -

Great Dr. Seuss quote!

Blessings,
Susan :)

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