![]() We all go a little Pinocchio when we start talking, and Dionne is no exception. Let’s look at how these were used in the example. So how do we write subtext into our characters’ conversations without confusing the reader? It just requires combining five common vehicles for showing emotion. With it, we see Dionne desperately trying to keep her secrets while it becomes increasingly difficult-even unhealthy-to do so. Without subtext, this scene is boring, just two people chatting. It’s also a great way to add tension and conflict. It allows the character to carry on whatever subterfuge she deems necessary while revealing her true emotions and motivations to the reader. This is the beauty of subtext in dialogue. While Dad is kept in the dark, the reader becomes privy to Dionne’s true emotions: nervousness, fear, and possibly guilt. Something happened at the party involving a boy Dionne’s now avoiding, and she clearly doesn’t want her father to know about it. ![]() How could her dad be so smart at work and so stupid about people? ![]() Couldn’t hurt to branch out and get to know some new people.”ĭionne blew out a shaky breath. Her stomach lurched. “Oh, I don’t know.” Her fingers trembled, so she abandoned the phone and sat on her hands to keep them still. “We don’t really hang with the same crowd.” Maybe we could have him and his mom over for dinner.” I think he was there.” She scrolled faster, images blurring. “What about Trey? I ran into his mom at the office yesterday and she said he was going.” Despite the hour, Dad’s eyes were bright, like spotlights carving through her mocha-infused fog. Her mouth went dry, but she didn’t dare swallow. This results in contradictory words and actions.Ĭonsider this exchange between a teenage daughter and her dad.ĭionne plastered on a smile and buried herself in Instagram. They’re important because the character wants them hidden. Hidden elements the character isn’t comfortable sharing-their true opinions, what they really want, what they’re afraid of, and emotions that make them feel vulnerable-constitute the subtext. Simply, subtext is the underlying meaning. So we need to include this crucial element in our dialogue scenes. It’s often tied to how characters are feeling, which can trigger readers’ emotions and increase their engagement. Subtext plays a huge role in conversation. We hide our emotions, withhold information, dance around what we really mean, avoid certain topics, downplay shortcomings, or emphasize strengths-all of which lead to exchanges that aren’t totally honest.Ĭompletely candid dialogue scenes fall flat because that’s not the way people converse. On the surface, it may seem we’re engaging in simple back-and-forth, but if you look deeper, to some degree our conversations are carefully constructed. When writing strong dialogue, we often forget that real-life conversations are rarely straightforward. So when we’re learning to write, we spend a lot of time on mechanics-learning all the grammar and punctuation rules. We need our characters’ interactions to be authentic, consistent, and engaging to draw readers into what’s happening. Realistic, evocative dialogue is an important part of any successful story.
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