| When you're flirting with someone, you can be talking | | | | mean and letting the reader guess, rather than saying |
| about anything as mundane as pop songs or the | | | | it out directly. |
| latest gossip, yet you both know what's going on. | | | | Good dialogue often relies heavily on subtext. If the |
| That's because you can read into the subtext of the | | | | meaning of what the characters say are too obvious, |
| situation. In fact, it's that hidden context that makes | | | | it can sound painfully bad and unnatural. Rather than |
| that particularly activity so much fun. | | | | be annoyed by it, conversations with plenty of |
| Subtext, that which you say between the lines, not | | | | hidden suggestions end up intriguing us, prodding to |
| only works for flirting and other indirect types of | | | | try and find out more. |
| communication. It's also the kind of non-verbal | | | | If you're having a hard time putting your finger on |
| interaction with the reader that adds intrigue to your | | | | what subtext is, think of it as subtle communication. |
| writing, the same way that a creative writing | | | | When I'm annoyed at you, for instance, I can talk |
| software brings polish to your words. | | | | about how irritating my dog is, yet form my |
| In fiction, actually, most of the unforgettable | | | | statements such that they're all referring indirectly to |
| characters you will come across often don't | | | | you. Good subtext in writing is even more subtle than |
| understand themselves. Instead of being clear and | | | | that, but accomplishes similar results. |
| self-aware, they are indirect - hinting at what they | | | | |
