In this week’s Story Works Round Table, Alida, Kathryn, and Robert discuss the craft of writing subtext. We dive into the short story Cathedral by Raymond Carver, looking at the intricacies of what is unsaid.
VIDEO
AUDIO
SHOW NOTES
What is subtext? And why is it important? Why is it so tricky to work on, or define? What effect does subtext have on the reader? We dive into an example and then talk about the ways we think you can learn how to write better subtext.
What we talked about:
What is subtext and why is it important? (0:24)
Why is subtext so hard to understand as a craft? (3:07)
How do you get better at writing subtext? (6:18)
Subtext as the effect the story has on the reader. (7:53)
Subtext as a craft of deletion rather than addition. (8:23)
Why subtext may be easier to see in a short story. (11:00)
The story Cathedral by Raymond Carver. (11:53)
How do you learn how to write subtext? (26:20)
LINKS
Things we mentioned:
Cathedral by Raymond Carver
Want more about these topics? Check out:
Have thoughts, questions, other examples? Join the conversation at the Story Works Writers Facebook group.
