OK, well maybe I shouldn't get too hung up about the metaphor thing? LOL, I agree with the 'plain jane' approach. Its just that some well know authors seem to use s and m's a lot - Abyssal1 who wrote 'Worlds Translated Thus' springs to mind. In her later works, she uses them even more, and its often very subtle. But then I guess, she doesn't always, and I know not everyone raves about that story.

Projecting own stuff is so easy to do too - I think it took me ages to realize you have to get as much 'into character' in writing as you do acting. I don't remember ever being taught that in literature or drama. Maybe it should be obvious, but it wasn't to me!