Writing Subtext in Dialogue

“It’s not what you say; it’s what you don’t say.” Subtext involves the hidden feelings beneath spoken words—anger, love, mistrust—all the emotions characters don’t dare admit aloud. It can add sizzle to drab dialogue and make the speakers sound like real people. If you’ve ever been told your conversation scenes feel “too on the nose,” this video is for you.

Watch the video on YouTube!

Read the text version on Medium!