tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post7247257487650747556..comments2024-03-28T10:41:26.999-06:00Comments on Blood-Red Pencil: The Importance of Subtext in Story - The Story Book by David BabouleneDanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-61377861701715556492011-04-08T02:48:12.749-06:002011-04-08T02:48:12.749-06:00I think that's actually quite a good example, ...I think that's actually quite a good example, Maryann. You could extend the subtext of something like that by starting with a real storm and using "upheaval" as a metaphor...Elle Carter Nealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02266309723919011181noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-77344097712466335482011-04-07T21:17:24.958-06:002011-04-07T21:17:24.958-06:00Thanks for the answer Elle. I think I have always ...Thanks for the answer Elle. I think I have always used sub-text, I just didn't have a definition of it.<br /><br />Kathryn, I have heard that same piece of advice about dialogue. I remember one screenwriting instructor cautioning us about on-the-nose dialogue. For example, if a couple needs to talk about some tragic event, perhaps the death of a child, they will talk about the weather and how you never know what to expect. A storm blows up and destroys your garden. <br /><br />Maybe not the best example. My brain is fried and I need to close down after a long day of editing. LOLMaryannwriteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09479027709233807149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-77555114654383961352011-04-07T20:30:54.091-06:002011-04-07T20:30:54.091-06:00Thankyou Elsa,for bringing this topic to BRP. And ...Thankyou Elsa,for bringing this topic to BRP. And thank you Helen & Kathryn for the insights.<br />I'd love to hear more.<br />Whether it be poetry or prose, subtext is invaluable.Della Barrettnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-76370791644414024142011-04-07T17:29:26.174-06:002011-04-07T17:29:26.174-06:00Maryann,
How I read it is that subtext forms when...Maryann,<br /><br />How I read it is that subtext forms when there is a difference between what the reader knows and what the characters know (and, on another level, the author). So this can work for any genre, but it is most obvious in mystery and horror or thriller genres. Metaphor is another way of delivering subtext in genres like Fantasy, Magical Realism, and Literary works. In Comedy subtext develops in the build-up to the punchline.<br /><br />Sheila,<br /><br />Like anything in writing, there could very well be retrospective development of subtext, metaphor, imagery, theme, etc., during a revision.Elle Carter Nealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02266309723919011181noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-43944989312535818332011-04-07T14:25:33.029-06:002011-04-07T14:25:33.029-06:00I'm always encouraging my clients to include m...I'm always encouraging my clients to include more subtext in their dialogue--great topic for discussion, Elle. I once heard a great quote, which I unfortunately can't attribute, but it goes something like "If your dialogue is only about what the characters are saying, then it isn't working hard enough for you." Subtext suggests all sorts of implied emotions; your reader feels smart for having picked up on them.Kathryn Crafthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08371458857187160425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-48264366184857701822011-04-07T13:59:45.425-06:002011-04-07T13:59:45.425-06:00This says, to me, that subtext is what's going...This says, to me, that subtext is what's going on beneath the surface, out of view of the reader. It's things left unsaid or hinted at but which are important or even critical to the story.Helen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-19405006889484998722011-04-07T12:04:15.259-06:002011-04-07T12:04:15.259-06:00Stories that intrigue me always have layers that p...Stories that intrigue me always have layers that prod and tease my imagination and inspire me to dig for the treasures that lie beneath the surface. Books that are more fluff than substance get only a cursory read, never a probe into the hidden layers — because there aren't any. Thank you, David and Elsa, for giving definition to the way I read and write. This added insight will serve me well in editing others' works, as well as in creating my own. Excellent post!Linda Lanehttp://www.denvereditor.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-31866301512802313372011-04-07T11:07:44.575-06:002011-04-07T11:07:44.575-06:00I like that explanation of subtext. I find myself ...I like that explanation of subtext. I find myself wondering if it's something that comes naturally to the story (seems like it would in a mystery), or something that's added, or even discovered later by the author (and reader), like theme.Sheila Deethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13465615546936319164noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-78671192437422870182011-04-07T07:20:46.158-06:002011-04-07T07:20:46.158-06:00Thanks for bringing David to BRP, Elsa. I do have ...Thanks for bringing David to BRP, Elsa. I do have a question. How does sub-text work in other genre work as well as mainstream. I have a sense of how it is handled, but it would be good to have a definitive response.Maryannwriteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09479027709233807149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-18638752633514996362011-04-07T01:26:00.830-06:002011-04-07T01:26:00.830-06:00Feel free to leave your comments and questions for...Feel free to leave your comments and questions for David on subtext or any other writing issue. If we get some good questions we'll ask David to consider writing a follow-up post for us at Blood-Red Pencil.<br /><br />Elsa Neal<br />HearWriteNow & Blood-Red PencilElle Carter Nealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02266309723919011181noreply@blogger.com