Writing Subtext: How to craft subtext that develops characters, boosts suspense, and reinforces theme

by Elizabeth Lyon

Subtext is one of the most elusive and powerful elements of craft. Literally meaning what lies beneath the text, it is an undercurrent, a hidden agenda, a vibe, a reinforcement of theme—and it exists in what is implied but not explicitly spelled out. It has impact because what you don’t say is often more powerful than what you do say.

Elizabeth Lyon, editor and author, demystifies the techniques involved in writing subtext, and offers examples and excerpts from multiple genres. Lyon uses the same incisive and clear instruction that she is so well known for in Manuscript Makeover. For many writers, adding subtext is the missing link to writing powerful prose.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Crafts

58 pages, Paperback

First published May 3, 20

Reviews

[Anna Erishkigal · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to sneak good stuff into your story. This is a brief how-to tutorial (around 46 pages) on how to identify places where you can eliminate spelling something out and use a variety of clever methods to let the reader infer the information themselves. Subtext is a difficult subject to grasp. This book is a quick guide for when you reach that stage in your editing where you want to give it a go-through to see if you can be a little more subtle. I liked this book enough that I went and bought another of Ms. Lyon's writing books.

[Glenn Mitchell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick to Read

This is a short booklet. That's the source of its major flaw. This booklet is too superficial for a stronger recommendation. For a volume specifically on the subject of subtext, I recommend "The Art of Subtext: Beyond Plot" by Charles Baxter or "Writing Subtext: What Lies Beneath" by Linda Seger. Both provide better instruction on foreshadowing and subtext.

[Acer Pseudoplantatus · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately this book was not helpful to me at all and it won't be to any analytical and attentive reader or somebody with writing experience.
Most of the examples used are really heavy handed and certain elements considered "subtext" by the author are not really subtext, but attention to detail.
Chances are, that if you have a clear idea of what subtext, metaphor, simile and symbolism are, this book won't be too helpful to you.
It can be summarised as:
-subtext is important
-metaphors and similes are good
-think about your characters' feelings and their subconscious drive
-pay attention to details and don't go out of character
-use heavy handed symbolism
-hint and then reveal
-use cliches and tropes to do so effectively
-repeat for emphasis

Sure, there are a couple of useful tips for beginners, but most of the examples given should not be taken for a model.

[Anyta Sunday]

Elizabeth Lyon has some WONDERFUL books on writing craft. I look forward to reading this booklet on writing subtext.

:)

After reading:

Good book outlining the basics of writing subtext. Would recommend for beginner writers.

For a heartier chunk on the Craft of Writing, I'd suggest getting Mrs. Lyon's "Manuscript Makeover".

[Alicia Grega · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing particularly enlightening here...

[Ellen Notbohm · Rating 5 out of 5]

That stampede you hear is the sound of writers scurrying back to their manuscripts. Elizabeth Lyon has given us a friendly, compact book that takes perhaps the most bedeviling aspect of the writing craft and massages it into palatable pieces that will motivate even the most revision-resistant writers. Lyon defines and illustrates the components of subtext with pungent examples from established authors, then transposes each element to scenarios most writers will recognize in their own writing. Like her previous books, her guiding voice is spunky, wise, realistic and encouraging. She's all that! This is an always-at-your-elbow kind of writer's tool, and that it's the first of a series is cheery news indeed.

[Lois · Rating 5 out of 5]

Big help for Revision!

It began with an excellent description of Craft — subtext, plot, story, and storyline. The examples of subtext from different novels were a big help in understanding the different ways to write subtext. I finally understood how to get Theme across to the Reader without being obvious. Good book.

[Maureen · Rating 1 out of 5]

First, the author needs to edit. I found numerous typos and errors. Second, this book is short especially for the price. Not a good thing. She needs to expand her explanations to make sense. The bones are there but not the content. Half the time, she repeats information. I deducted a star for the highlight limit.

[Natalie Carr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Helpful

An excellent guide! Short and sweet with a friendly tone, and no shyness of using practical examples to illustrate and clarify, this is a quick, easy read but very informative. I’m already planning how to apply these principles to my writing!

[Lace · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5 stars.

Lacking in depth and substance, but had some interesting information within the pages. I definitely think it needed to be longer and have more concrete examples and explanations, but what useful things I did glean were worth the time it took to read.

[Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good examples

Great examples for coursework in a tough topic.If you're trying to make your writing come alive, give this a try.

[Oreo✒️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, neat, straightforward with practionable advice. Will definitely help me both write and read better. I only wish it was about a 100 pages longer.

[Mike]

Strike 1: Begins 47% of the way through the sample. Indicating that it's very short.
Strike 2: The plural of "writer" is given an unnecessary apostrophe.
Strike 3: $2.99 for 58 pages.

(My "decided-against" shelf is for my own reference, to remind me not to pick up the books again. For a beginner who needs a clear, short book, this could be ideal.)

[Dee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some people might get more out of this than I did. Many of the pages in this 60 page book are taken up by pages upon pages of dialogue quoted from books by best selling, and what made their stories so great. However the information given wasn't overly helpful to me... an aspiring writer.

[Alicia McCalla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book for explaining how to incorporate subtext.

[John Hawkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick

[Shervin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Does not fulfill the promise of its title. Very little of genuine value in this book.