Metaphor Frenzy

It seems to me that many new fiction writers these days are participating in a sort of metaphor frenzy; every paragraph (or even, every other sentence) has to include at least one stunning metaphor or they feel they're not doing their job as writers.  And even when they restrain themselves and just shoot for, oh, a pretty-good metaphor every page or so, many contemporary writers' metaphors feel overwrought, forced, like the kind of thing you'd use if you're trying too hard to impress your creative writing instructor, not a literary device that helps build a story or a particular character.

It might be original to say, "a tree branch shaped like a stork," and it might be related in some way to the main character's desolate childhood in a coastal town in northern Maine.  But don't just fling metaphors and similes around all over the place...use them sparingly, then weave them skillfully into  the fabric of the story, so they're not just sticking up, calling attention to themselves, like colorful bits of yarn sticking straight out of a sweater.

I attribute the current metaphor frenzy to the popularity of writing workshops and creative writing MFA programs, as well as the lack of good judgment in literary reviews and in publishing houses.  This metaphor frenzy needs to die down.  I'm not calling for a Hemingway-esque return to simplicity (actually Hemingway does use metaphors, contrary to popular belief, and he uses them well).  I'm calling for a return to intelligent writing.

Can good writing be learned in writing workshops and MFA programs?  The jury is still out on that.