SWRT 157 | Subtext
May 14, 2020

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: 

60 second tip: Subtext

Have thoughts, questions, other examples? Join the conversation at the Story Works Writers Facebook group