Master the Art of Unspoken Emotions: Elevate Your Writing with Subtext
Writing Prompt 3/4 for May Course in Revealing Character
Microfiction is fantastic for exploring subtext
Each story is an opportunity to experiment.
To explore myriad ways of hiding meaning and slowly revealing the story.
Using subtext is a method of implying characters’ hidden emotions and intentions without explicitly stating them.
If you’ve ever got the feedback that your writing is a little on the nose.
That it states the obvious.
Or is too blunt about what your characters are thinking?
Then this is the exercise for you.
Mastering the art of subtext allows you to create rich, layered stories, even within a limited word count.
Let’s dive in!
Step 1: Take two characters with something hidden between them
These could be unspoken feelings of love or resentment, or a secret plan to betray the other.
Whatever you choose, ensure it’s something that can and must be hinted at throughout the scene.
In Hemingway’s story, he chooses a topic both uncomfortable and perhaps taboo at the time. Something we wouldn’t want to talk about openly.
And with the couple’s opening dialogue, Hemingway sets up the tension:
“They look like white elephants,” she said. “I’ve never seen one,” the man drank his beer. “No, you wouldn’t have.” “I might have,” the man said. “Just because you say I wouldn’t have doesn’t prove anything.” The girl looked at the bead curtain. “They’ve painted something on it,” she said. “What does it say?” “Anis del Toro. It’s a drink.” “Can we try it?”
The reader must interpret their dialogue and body language to infer their backgrounds and their attitudes with respect to the situation at hand, and their attitudes toward one another. From the outset of the story, the contentious nature of the couple’s conversation indicates resentment and unease
Step 2: Write a 300-word scene where these characters have a conversation, using subtext to imply their true feelings.
The dialogue should be engaging and natural, allowing readers to pick up on the underlying emotions without being too obvious.
Step 3: Utilize body language, facial expressions, and actions to convey unspoken meaning.
These nonverbal cues provide valuable insight into the characters’ thoughts and feelings, making the scene more dynamic and engaging.
Step 4: Use irony or sarcasm to add depth to the dialogue.
This can create a sense of tension or humour as the characters’ true feelings contrast with their words.
Example:
If two characters are attracted to each other but unwilling to admit it, show their subtle glances, lingering touches, and playful banter that hint at their feelings.
“She brushed her fingers against his as she handed him the book, her eyes lingering on his for a moment longer than necessary. ‘So, I guess you’re into cheesy romance novels now?’ she teased, a playful smile gracing her lips.”
Now it’s your turn!
Craft a 300-word story featuring two characters with hidden intentions or emotions.
- Use subtext, body language, and irony to hint at their true feelings
- Create a rich and engaging scene that leaves readers eager for more.
Good luck and happy writing!
300 words for the story bits.
- Tag your story as you like, e.g. Fiction or Flash Fiction But don’t use Writing Prompts please.
- 🙏 link back to the prompt so others can find it too.
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