David Mamet gave this rule about dialogue: “Nobody says anything unless they want something.” That’s the heart of writing subtext.
When writing dialogue, don’t start by asking, “What do I want the reader to know?” Instead, ask: “What does my character want?” Intention is everything. When you understand what each character is after, scenes start writing themselves. Almost. And they begin to feel a lot more real.
Here are a few ways to bring subtext into your dialogue:
1. Identify the Agenda
Give each character a hidden agenda, something they want, but can’t exactly say out loud — because it’s too risky or too revealing. When the truth stays just beneath the surface, tension builds, and readers lean in.
2. Use Incongruity
Look for ways to contrast what your character says with what they do. A character calmly saying, “Take your time,” while drumming their fingers tells us everything we need to know.
3. Let Silence Speak
What’s not said can be louder than any spoken line. One character says “I’m sorry,” and the other says nothing. Their silence says it all.
4. Layer the Meaning
Use metaphors, callbacks, or shared history to add depth. In Casablanca, when Ilsa says, “We’ll always have Paris,” she’s not just talking about their time together in France. It’s their bittersweet reminder of what was, but can never be again.
A QUICK TRICK
Want to get better at writing subtext? Try this:
1.) Write the scene where the characters say exactly what they mean. Be blunt.
2.) Now rewrite the scene so they don’t say it at all. Let them hint, dodge, gesture, or talk around it…and still get the point across.
BEFORE:
“I love you more than anything in the world and want you to marry me.”
AFTER:
He placed a tiny antique box on the table, his hands trembling. “This was my grandmother’s ring,” he said. “It deserves a new story.”
The more you practice, the more you’ll hear it. Often the best dialogue in a scene is spoken between the lines.
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