THE ONLY WAR THAT MATTERS IS THE WAR AGAINST THE IMAGINATION
THE ONLY WAR THAT MATTERS IS THE WAR AGAINST THE IMAGINATION
ALL OTHER WARS ARE SUBSUMED IN IT
from "Rant" by Diane di Prima
Hence - The New Jesus Metaphor No-Contest!
I want you to tell your Jesus story in 50-200+ words by extending a metaphor.
Give me your Elongated Jesus Metaphors.
Never thought I’d say that.
Metaphors bench press brain cells that nonfiction narratives and opinions only wiggle.
It’s Winter. We need to exercise our brains. We need to create new ways to talk about stuff. Starting with Jesus. Starting with your deconversion. Starting with your first communion. Starting with your ethics/morality. Starting with Everything.
Think Parables. Think Allegories. Think Conceits. Think Prose. Think Poetry. Think Creative Nonfiction - or Fiction.
Don’t play by the rules. If all else fails - this is the default setting.
Incentives to get involved?
• A fabulous brain work-out.
• Impress others.
• The power to turn on light-bulbs in human brains about religion and spirituality and atheism and doubt and morality.
No - but think WWJW(rite)? It could reflect on the themes of what you think Jesus might expound on. It could be a way to describe your past or present relationship with Jesus (please don't use the marriage metaphor - unless you can put a fresh spin on it). It could be anything related to religion, spirituality, disbelief, good/evil or your experience with these themes.
Humor is allowed. Serious is allowed. Sappy is allowed. Surprise me.
What am I going to do with your Jesus Metaphor?
What are YOU going to do with your Jesus Metaphor? Post it on your blog and then send me a link.
I’ll collect the submissions and links and ask readers to vote on their favorites via a poll. The best loved Elongated Jesus Metaphor wins utter admiration AND front-page posting. You keep all rights to your Metaphor. No exchange of gifts. No exchange of money. No exchange of anything but Metaphor.
Don’t have a blog?
Email it to me to publish under a special New Jesus Metaphor tab.
What is a metaphor?
A metaphor is not LIKE anything, it IS the thing. (Metaphor: He’s the lily of the valley. Simile: Thy two breasts are like two young roes…) Misguided Jesus Simile submissions will be filed under Jesus Look-A-Likes.
How is an elongated (extended) metaphor different than a regular metaphor?
Extended Metaphors go on and on. They get the job done. They don't wuss out. Instead of one sentence or mention they are extended throughout a paragraph or an entire story. Elongated metaphors can be a challenge – and that is why I’m giving you (and me) so much time to work on it.
Deadline?
March 21st, 2011.
Examples of Elongated Metaphors?
Check out Song of Solomon for starters – and almost anything the prophets say – and parables – and allegories ala Pilgrims Progress. But shorter. 50-@200 words please.
Questions about the No-Contest?
Post them below. There is no such thing as a stupid question. However, you might get a stupid answer.
Submissions?
Go to my Contact page and email me forthwith.
Happy Metaphoring!
And like I learned from all my best writing teachers - is any assignment the class gets - I have to do too. I'll be New Jesus Metaphoring right alongside you.
Please pass the New Jesus Metaphor No-Contest on to your friends.
Related Links:
What is an Extended Metaphor
Extended metaphor
Metaphor - Widipedia
2 comments:
I guess my brain is fat and outta shape right now. i can't think of anything, right now. Perhaps more coffee, then on to win the metaphor battle...err, contest.
K
Kris - let your brain be fat & out of shape. You have 3 months to think it over... you might have a brilliant brain explosion the eve of the deadline. Let the idea simmer for a while. Please - don't feel pressured to whip something out today. Take your time :)
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