How good are you at using subtext in your fiction? If you're like a lot of authors, you don't really think about it. Let's take a deep dive into subtext and learn how to use it to enhance your stories and make your readers think.
The Definituon of Subtext
Subtext is the hidden layer of meaning beneath the surface of dialogue, action, and description. It allows readers to pick up on emotions, relationships, and themes without them being explicitly stated. Mastering subtext makes writing richer, more engaging, and more realistic.
Why Use Subtext?
- Creates Depth – Readers feel more engaged when they uncover meaning themselves.
- Mimics Real Life – People rarely say exactly what they mean.
- Enhances Emotional Impact – Subtlety can make a moment feel more profound.
Types of Subtext and How to Use Them
1. Subtext in Dialogue
Instead of stating emotions directly, characters reveal their true feelings through what they don’t say.
✅ Example:
"Are you coming home for dinner?"
"I’ve got a lot of work to do."
- The speaker avoids answering directly. This could suggest tension, avoidance, or an underlying issue.
❌ Avoid:
"I’m mad at you, so I don’t want to have dinner." (Too direct, no subtext.)
2. Subtext in Actions & Body Language
A character’s physical actions can contradict or deepen their spoken words.
✅ Example:
- A character says “I’m fine” but clenches their fists.
- A husband forgets his anniversary but brings home flowers the next day, avoiding eye contact.
3. Subtext in Setting & Description
The environment can reflect unspoken emotions or themes.
✅ Example:
- A child walks into a house where “the air is thick with the smell of burnt toast and something unspoken.”
- A couple in a deteriorating relationship drives past a rundown house with boarded-up windows.
4. Subtext in Relationships
How characters interact can reveal hidden dynamics.
✅ Example:
- Two friends meet up, and one casually asks, “How’s your family?” while the other stiffens and changes the subject.
- A married couple sits at opposite ends of the couch, absorbed in their phones—unspoken distance between them.
How to Practice Writing Subtext
- Write a Scene with Hidden Conflict – Show tension without explicitly stating it.
- Use Only Dialogue (No Tags or Descriptions) – Make the subtext clear through what’s said and unsaid.
- Describe an Emotion Without Naming It – Show anger, fear, or sadness through setting or action.
When you use subtext correctly in your writing, you'll add depth and intrigue into your story. Just remember to eventually elaborate on what's not being said!
Now, if you want some further work, let's look at some examples:
Example Scene (With Subtext)
Context: A father and his teenage daughter are sitting in a diner after she got into trouble at school.
Dialogue:
Dad: "So… you hungry?"
Daughter: (shrugs, pushing the menu aside) "Not really."
Dad: "You used to love this place. We came here every Saturday, remember?"
Daughter: (picking at the table edge) "Yeah. That was a long time ago."
Dad: "Your mom’s worried about you."
Daughter: (laughs dryly) "Of course she is."
Dad: "You know, you can talk to me."
Daughter: (finally looking up, eyes hard) "Can I?"
Breaking Down the Subtext
- Opening Line ("So… you hungry?")
- The father isn’t really asking about food; he’s trying to break the silence. The pause (“So…”) signals hesitation—he doesn’t know how to start the conversation.
- Daughter’s Response ("Not really.")
- A short, dismissive answer. By pushing the menu aside, she’s signaling disinterest—not just in food, but in the conversation itself.
- Nostalgia as a Peace Offering ("You used to love this place.")
- The dad is trying to remind her of better times, hoping to rebuild their bond. But the daughter's response ("That was a long time ago.") suggests she no longer connects with those memories—possibly hinting at emotional distance or past conflicts.
- Shift in Tone ("Your mom’s worried about you.")
- This is the real reason for the conversation, but instead of addressing his own concern, he deflects to "your mom," possibly because he's unsure how to approach it himself.
- Daughter’s Dry Laughter ("Of course she is.")
- The sarcasm suggests resentment or frustration. Maybe she feels like her mother is overprotective, or that worry isn’t the same as understanding.
- The Emotional Climax ("You know, you can talk to me." / "Can I?")
- The dad is trying to create an opening, but the daughter's response ("Can I?") is a challenge. The hard stare suggests there’s history here—maybe she’s tried before and felt unheard.
What Makes This Effective Subtext?
✔ No one says exactly what they feel. The tension is in what’s left unsaid.
✔ Body language enhances meaning. The daughter avoids eye contact, picks at the table, and shrugs—nonverbal cues that show her emotions.
✔ Short, indirect dialogue. The conversation feels natural, with underlying emotions rather than explicit statements.
Subtext Example Number 2
Example Scene (With Subtext)
Context: A woman (Sarah) runs into her ex-boyfriend (Mark) at a bookstore. They haven’t spoken since their breakup months ago.
Dialogue:
Mark: "Didn’t expect to see you here."
Sarah: (running her fingers along a book spine) "Yeah… well, I needed something new to read."
Mark: "Still into those mystery novels?"
Sarah: (half-smiling) "Not so much anymore. I guess I prefer stories where I know how things end."
Mark: "Right. Makes sense."
(A beat of silence. Sarah shifts the book in her hands.)
Sarah: "How have you been?"
Mark: "Good. Work’s been busy."
Sarah: "Yeah. You always threw yourself into work."
Mark: (glances away, then chuckles lightly) "And you always overanalyzed everything."
Sarah: (laughs softly, but her eyes flick to the exit) "Some things don’t change, I guess."
Mark: (nods, then gestures to the book in her hands) "That one’s good. You might like it."
Sarah: (holding it up like a shield) "Maybe." (pause) "Well… I should go."
Mark: (hesitating) "Yeah. See you around, Sarah."
Sarah: (softly) "See you, Mark."
Breaking Down the Subtext
- Opening Line ("Didn’t expect to see you here.")
- A neutral greeting, but it carries an underlying surprise—perhaps even hesitation. The casual tone suggests he’s trying to keep things light.
- Sarah’s Response ("Yeah… well, I needed something new to read.")
- She doesn’t acknowledge the awkwardness of the encounter directly. Instead, she focuses on a safe topic—books—suggesting she’s avoiding deeper emotions.
- Mark’s Question About Mystery Novels
- He remembers something about her, showing familiarity, but it also acts as a test—does she still like the same things, or has she changed?
- Sarah’s Response ("Not so much anymore. I guess I prefer stories where I know how things end.")
- On the surface, she’s talking about books. But the subtext suggests she’s really talking about their past relationship—she doesn’t want surprises anymore because she’s been hurt before.
- Mark’s Simple Reply ("Right. Makes sense.")
- Instead of pushing the conversation further, he just accepts it. His short response shows he understands what she means, but maybe he’s not ready to unpack it.
- Small Talk Disguising Old Wounds
- Sarah’s comment ("Yeah. You always threw yourself into work.") isn’t just about his job—it’s a subtle critique, implying he was emotionally unavailable.
- Mark’s reply ("And you always overanalyzed everything.") is defensive, showing there’s still tension between them.
- Sarah’s Body Language & Exit
- Her eyes flick to the exit—a sign she’s uncomfortable, maybe looking for an escape.
- Holding the book "like a shield" suggests she’s using it as a barrier—possibly to protect herself emotionally.
- Final Goodbye ("See you, Mark." / "See you, Sarah.")
- The way they say each other’s names makes the moment linger. It’s simple, but the softness in her voice hints at lingering emotions.
Why This Works as Subtext?
✔ No one directly mentions their breakup. The tension and history are felt, not spoken.
✔ Books act as a metaphor. The discussion about mysteries vs. knowing endings mirrors Sarah’s emotional state.
✔ Body language and pauses speak volumes. Her shifting, holding the book, glancing at the exit—all show discomfort and unresolved feelings.
Now, try your own scenes and add some subtext. You can even do a little better than me and work the actions into the dialogue in a way that's more clear.
Happy writing!