Writing Subtext in Dialogue
- Diane Callahan
- Jul 27, 2019
- 1 min read
Updated: Jul 5, 2021
“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.
