Here's a core paradigm shift from this week's video on dialogue:
Stop writing what your characters say. Start writing what they're trying to hide.
The most powerful dialogue is driven by subtext. A character's true fear, desire, or ambition is rarely spoken aloud; it's hidden beneath the surface of their words. The tension in a scene comes from the reader sensing that hidden truth. The gaps, the hesitations, the sudden changes in subject—that's where the real story is told.
This is the deeper craft behind avoiding mistakes like "The Town Crier." When you master subtext, your dialogue stops being a report and starts being a revelation. If you're ready to see more examples of this principle in action, you can watch (or re-watch) the full deep dive.
The Tale Tinkerer
Here's a core paradigm shift from this week's video on dialogue:
Stop writing what your characters say. Start writing what they're trying to hide.
The most powerful dialogue is driven by subtext. A character's true fear, desire, or ambition is rarely spoken aloud; it's hidden beneath the surface of their words. The tension in a scene comes from the reader sensing that hidden truth. The gaps, the hesitations, the sudden changes in subject—that's where the real story is told.
This is the deeper craft behind avoiding mistakes like "The Town Crier." When you master subtext, your dialogue stops being a report and starts being a revelation. If you're ready to see more examples of this principle in action, you can watch (or re-watch) the full deep dive.
1 week ago | [YT] | 22