Have you ever written a scene where the tension is thick, but your characters are speaking in polite, clipped sentences? Where no one is quite saying what they mean – yet the emotional undercurrent is unmistakable? That’s the power of subtext. In writing, subtext is what’s happening beneath the surface of a moment – the unspoken truths, hidden motivations, and emotional signals that characters don’t voice out loud. Mastering how to write subtext can transform your storytelling. It deepens character interactions, builds tension, and allows readers to engage more actively with your work. When done well, subtext invites the audience to read between the lines and feel like a co-conspirator in the story. Whether it’s fiction, screenplays or any other story-driven piece, writing subtext helps create more realistic dialogue and layered character dynamics. Join us at What We Writing as we demonstrate what subtext is, why it matters, and how to use it effectively – so your characters can say more by saying less!
What Is Subtext In Writing?
Subtext in writing refers to the underlying emotion or meaning present underneath a character’s spoken words or visible actions. It’s what the character means, rather than what they say. This unspoken layer adds nuance, tension, and realism to your scenes, helping readers connect more deeply with your story.
Think of subtext as the silent current beneath the surface of your narrative – it isn’t immediately obvious, but it’s always there, moulding how readers interpret what is happening.
Text vs. Subtext
Here’s the main difference:
- Text: What is explicitly said or shown.
- Subtext: What is implied, hinted at, or left unsaid.
Examples:
- Text: “I’m happy for you.”
- Subtext: I’m jealous, but I won’t admit it.
- Text: “You can do whatever you want.”
- Subtext: I’m angry, but I’m not going to fight you anymore.
Examples of Subtext in Writing & Film
- Pride and Prejudice (Jane Austen):
Mr Darcy’s awkward and formal compliments hide his growing affection – this subtext shows emotional tension well before he declares his love outright. - The Godfather:
Characters often speak in calm, polite tones while threatening violence. The power lies not in the words, but in what is being left unsaid. - Normal People (Sally Rooney):
Conversations between Marianne and Connell are filled with pauses and miscommunications. Their silence often reveals more than their words. - Marriage Story:
During the meditation scene, both characters speak diplomatically, but the subtext reveals grief, resentment, and love all at once.
Understanding subtext in writing allows you to craft scenes that feel authentic, emotionally charged, and intellectually engaging. Instead of telling readers how your characters feel, you invite them to sense it – that’s the magic.
Why Subtext Matters In Character Development
When done well, character subtext is one of the most powerful tools a writer can use to conjure believable, emotionally rich characters. It adds layers of complexity to your story, allowing readers to understand your characters not only by what they say but also by what they withhold.
Emotional Depth and Realism
Real people hardly ever say what they really feel. We dodge, deflect, or sugarcoat our words – and your characters should do so too. Subtext allows you to show internal conflict, fear, resentment, affection, or regret without needing to spell it out.
- A character might say, “You look great with them,” when what they really mean is, “That should have been me.”
- Another might reply, “I’m fine,” even as they shut the door harder than is necessary.
These are subtle cues that mirror our behaviours in the real-world, helping you write realistic conversations that resonate with readers on a subconscious level.
Subtext Builds Tension and Complexity
Subtext also drives emotional tension. When characters aren’t being fully honest – with others and with themselves – it creates space for conflict, dramatic irony, and suspense.
Consider:
- A married couple dancing around an affair.
- A teenager hiding their true identity from their parents.
- A best friend pretending they aren’t in love.
These situations thrive on what isn’t being said. The gap between the character’s words and their true feelings keep readers hook and invested in what might be revealed next.
Why Readers Love Subtext
Subtext gives your audience a job – and readers love to feel clever. When you use character subtext effectively, you invite your audience to read between the lines, pick up on clues, and form emotional connections without ever being overt.
It isn’t just smart storytelling. It’s respectful writing. You’re trusting your readers to do some of the work, and rewarding them for it.
In short, learning to write with subtext will improve your character development, deepen your dialogue, and make your scenes feel more alive.
How To Write Subtext In Dialogue And Scenes
Writing subtext isn’t about being vague – it’s about strategically layering meaning beneath the surface of what your characters say and do. Here are some actionable techniques to help you develop unspoken character tension and emotional complexity in your scenes.
Use Body Language and Action Beats
One of the easiest ways to add subtext is through nonverbal cues. A character’s body language, facial expressions, or physical gestures can betray the emotions they’re attempting to hide.
Example:
Dialogue: “I’m not mad.”
Action beat: She folds her arms and stares at the floor.
That gesture is the emotion – it’s how you show emotion without telling.
Tips:
- Replace emotional exposition with specific physical behaviour.
- Let the silence or a pause speak volumes.
- Use props: a glass being gripped too tightly, a fork stabbing too hard into food.
Let Characters Avoid the Truth
People often evade the truth in real life – and your characters should do the same. Subtext thrives in the space between what’s asked and what’s actually answered.
Techniques:
- Deflection: Change the Subject
- “Did you see him last night?”
“Did you cut your hair?”
- “Did you see him last night?”
- Euphemism:
- “He’s… not himself lately.” (Translation: He’s spiralling.)
- Passive voice or vagueness:
- “Mistakes were made.” (By whom? The subtext is: I’m not taking responsibility.)
This is the foundation of writing indirect dialogue, where truth is shaped, softened, or sidestepped.
Create Tension Between Words and Behaviour
Subtext lives in contradiction – especially when what’s being said doesn’t match what’s being done.
Example:
“I’m happy for you,” she says, then looks away and wipes her eyes.
The emotional disconnect forces the reader to interpret the real meaning – it creates tension and invites empathy.
Tips:
- Use contrast to highlight dishonesty and discomfort.
- Let the audience feel the disconnect between spoken words and emotional reality.
- Think about what a character wants to say – and what is stopping them from doing so.
Use Context and Subtle Cues
Sometimes, subtext relies wholly on what the reader already knows – past events, character dynamics, or understated social norms.
Example:
Two ex-lovers meet at a wedding. One says, “So… you finally made it.”
Without more context, it feels flat. But, if we know one of them ghosted the other a year ago, it drips with tension.
Ways to build context:
- Give readers just enough backstory to recognise the emotional stakes.
- Set up recurring objects, phrases, or inside jokes that take on a deeper meaning later.
- Rely on unspoken power dynamics – who holds control, who’s pretending not to care.
Mastering subtext means writing scenes that invite readers to lean in, pick up on tension, and feel the emotion without being told exactly what it is. These subtle layers will make your writing more immersive, memorable, and emotionally resonant.
Common Mistakes When Writing Subtext
Subtext can take your writing to the next level; however, it’s easy to miss the mark. If the meaning is too hidden, your readers might miss it. If it’s too obvious, it loses its subtlety. Here are some of the most frequent pitfalls writers face, and how to avoid them.
Let’s break down the biggest subtext writing mistakes:
Being Too Vague
If your readers have no clue what your characters are thinking or feeling, the scene runs the risk of appearing flat or confusing. Subtext isn’t about being cryptic – it’s about crafting clues that guide the reader toward understanding.
Avoid this mistake by:
- Giving just enough emotional cues (through body language, context, or tone).
- Making sure the emotional truth is hinted at clearly, even if it isn’t spoken.
Bad example:
“It’s fine.”
(No body language, no context, no real emotion = reader confusion.)
Better:
“It’s fine,” she said, her voice low as she picked at the peeling label on her drink.
Over-Explaining in Narration
If you write a subtle moment – and then immediately explain it – you cancel out the subtext. Trust your audience. Let them do the work of interpreting what’s unsaid.
Avoid this mistake by:
- Cutting follow-up explanations or internal thoughts that spell things out.
- Letting silence or implication do the emotional heavy lifting.
Too much:
“I’m happy for you,” she said, even though she was deeply jealous and heartbroken.
Stronger:
“I’m happy for you,” she said, not meeting his eye.
Lack of Context to Support Subtext
For subtext to land, readers need enough background to “get” what’s really going on. Without context – a character’s past, a current conflict, or the stakes – the subtext has nothing to anchor to.
Avoid this mistake by:
- Laying subtle groundwork earlier in the story (history, dynamics, conflict).
- Using setting and power dynamics to add weight to small gestures or words.
Example:
A simple line such as: “You remembered” only carries emotional weight if the reader knows what’s being remembered – and why it matters.
To sum up: Avoid these subtext writing mistakes by grounding your scenes in clear emotional stakes, trusting your readers to connect the dots, and resisting the urge to explain everything. Subtext should feel intentional – not invisible, and not overwritten.
Exercises To Practice Writing Subtext
Understanding subtext is one thing. Mastering it takes practice. The best way to strengthen your subtext skills is through short focused exercises that force you to say more with less. Try these writing prompts to stretch your storytelling muscles.
Exercise 1: “What They Don’t Say”
Prompt: Write a scene between two characters who are arguing – but neither of them is allowed to say what the argument is actually over.
- Allow the tension to simmer underneath the dialogue.
- Use gestures, clipped sentences, sarcasm, or silence to convey what’s really going on.
Example: A couple is fighting about who forgot the anniversary – but they only talk about “the pasta being overcooked.”
Exercise 2: “Same Line, Different Meaning”
Prompt: Write three mini-sentences where a character says the exact same thing – for example, “I’m glad you’re here.” In each version, change the subtext behind the line (joy, guilt, resentment, fear etc).
- Let the body language, setting, or pacing shift the meaning.
- Keep the words the same – change everything around them.
Example 3: “The Unsent Message”
Prompt: Write an unsent letter, voicemail, or text message from one character to another.
- Let the characters say what they really feel.
- Then, rewrite the scene where they see that person in real life – and say something entirely different.
- Let the gap between what they meant and what they said become the subtext.
In all, these short, repeatable exercises are great for warmups – or even character development in your own WIP. Try them with your existing characters to discover what they’re hiding, avoiding, or dying to say.
Wrap Up
Mastering subtext transforms your storytelling. It adds emotional weight, deepens character interactions, and makes your readers lean in – decoding the meaning behind every glance, silence, and half-truth.
Whether you’re building subtle tension between lovers, layering political undertones into a conversation, or letting a smile ten different things, subtext in writing turns ordinary scenes into unforgettable ones.
Start small. Observe people. Revisit your favourite novels and films. Then, return to your own work and ask: What’s really being said here – and what isn’t.
Because often, what your characters don’t say is what hits the hardest.
