Subtext: Adding Hidden Layers to Your Story
Merry Christmas, everyone! For diehard RU readers, I’ve put together a short article on subtext. I became aware of this term only a few weeks ago while listening to a workshop presented by New York Times bestselling author Brenda Novak.
I know, I’m a slow top. In my own defense, I was familiar with the writing technique, but never knew it had a name. Imagine that–a technique with a name. Go Tracey.
To start us off, I’m going to throw out a few resources I came across in my quest for more information about subtext. The following entries came from Brenda’s workshop.
Rita award-winning author Alicia Rasley defines subtext as, “A gift to the astute reader. An additional layer of meaning implied by the text, but not accessible without a bit of thinking…Subtext offers a chance for a writer to deepen the scene and characters in a subversive way. Inviting the reader to interact and, thus, become more involved in the story.”
Harlequin Superromance author Lynette Kent said this about subtext, “Something that counters or challenges the text.”
New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Crusie broke the meaning down for us a bit more with, “Say what you don’t mean.”
Noah Lukeman‘s The First Five Pages states, “There is suddenly a layer of subtext, of immediacy, of tragedy–and all without telling us a word. A writer’s chief objective is always subtlety, to convey information without actually saying anything.”
According to Wikipedia, subtext is the unspoken thoughts and motives of characters — what they really think and believe.
Interestingly enough, my husband produced a bit of subtext in our conversation the other night. Writers reading this post will recognize the next few paragraphs as backstory (aka information dump). For non-writers, think of the next few sentences as a Prologue in your favorite book.
My husband operates best at a room temperature of 67 degrees, and I’m happiest at 69–maybe even 70 on a really frigid evening. Wednesday night started like any other–I came home and kissed my husband hello, patted my puppy’s head, kicked up the thermostat a few degrees, and smiled when I heard my husband’s groan of discontent. Of course, I ignored him and proceeded upstairs to change into my jammies.
When I came back down, I decided it would be a perfect night to curl up in front of the fireplace. After watching the gas flames strain against the gale force winds coming down the chimney, I quickly realized burning a log would be out of the question. A few expletives later, I turned the gas off and settled for a blanket.
I no sooner sat down in my comfy recliner when my husband stood up to rip off his fleece jacket. As he tossed it on a nearby chair, he sent me a mischievous, sideways smile and said, “Boy, that fire really heated up the place.”
So, what do you think? Was my husband talking about the fireplace that was on less than two minutes, or the thermostat I kicked up to 70 (it was a windy, cold night!) thirty minutes prior?
* * *
RU Readers, can you share passages from your own work or favorite book that would serve as subtext?
Please join Adrienne on Monday to find out the best advice she’s ever received from our Visiting Professors.
Tracey’s Bio:
Tracey Devlyn writes historical romance with suspense elements. She’s a member of Romance Writers of America and Windy City, Hearts Through History, The Beau Monde and Kiss of Death RWA chapters.
Her first manuscript, A Lady’s Revenge, won first place in the Put Your Heart in the Book contest (New Jersey RWA) and finaled in the Ignite the Flame contest (Central Ohio Fiction Writers).
Tracey lives in the Chicago suburbs with her once-in-a-lifetime husband and their alpha puppy. For more information, please visit www.TraceyDevlyn.com.
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Great post, Tracey! We have the reverse sub-text in my house. My husband likes it warmer so I’m usually the one cracking wise!
Hi Tracey and all,
Happy Whatever…
I think there are always/often, at least three layers of what we hear and know we are hearing- under what is stated. Then, as a yoga teacher and tarot card reader, I realize there are so many layers of sub -text – below texting (wry grin) that we rarely even begin to discern.
Tracey, shall I try to listen to this workshop that sparked your interest in subtext?
My sense is that the more we can subtly evoke subtext in our novels, the happier our reader’s will be, though i could be wrong. (text or sub text?)
Feliz Navidad….
Laurel
Laurel and Adrienne, thanks for stopping by.
I’ve been listening to a lot of workshops found on the Romance Writers of America CDs I purchased at conference. If you’re a member, I believe you can purchase CDs going back to 2006 or 2007 from RWA’s website http://www.rwanational.org.
They’re well worth the investment, IMHO.
Happy writing! Tracey
Hi Tracey…sorry I missed your post! Actually, just as I was posting a comment we lost electricity….lol…..just got it back today!
Wanted to say great post though..and I’ll definitely go check out the CD’s on the RWA site..thanks for the tip!
carrie
Thanks for stopping by, Carrie! I hope you had a great holiday weekend.
Tracey
Trace – sorry to chime in so late!
Having met your hubby for the first time in DC, I don’t know him well. But I’m pretty darn sure he wasn’t talking about the fire or the thermostat. That boy was trying to subtext you right outta your clothes, if you ask me!
Here’s to a little holiday subsext, I mean…subtext…for all
.
Kels
LOL – you could be right!
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