Daily Dialogue theme for next week: Subtext

As we round out a week’s worth of famous last words [thanks to Vic Tional for that], it’s time to move onto our next Daily Dialogue them: Subtext [suggested by lizswan].

If subtext is everything, why? And what are some sterling examples of it in dialogue? That’s our Daily Dialogue challenge this week.

It’s one thing to say, “Write subtextually!” It’s quite another to know how to do it. As usual, I would recommend a course of action that derives from the characters. They exist in a story universe that is comprised of two realms: The External World of action and dialogue, and the Internal World of intention and subtext. Each character has their own Wants and Needs, their own Goals. By going into all that, your are on course to surface dialogue where characters naturally speak in subtext.

This week, let’s come up with seven great suggestions for subtext. Think of characters in interesting situations where they have to use subtext. Or choose to use subtext. Use subtext

The usual drill:

* Copy/paste dialogue from IMDB Quotes or some other transcript source.

* Copy/paste the URL of an accompanying video from MovieClips or YouTube.

I’d also like to ask you to think about why the dialogue is notable. Is there anything about the dialogue which provides some takeaway re screenwriting.

Schedule [including the person who suggested each theme]:

August 13-August 19: Drug Deal [Jonathan Webb]

August 20-August 26: Smooth Talking [David Proenza]

August 27-September 2: Comic Set Piece [Shaula Evans]

September 3-September 9: Woody Allen [Sean Z P Harris]

September 10-September 16: Riffing [churnage]

September 17-September 23: Phone Call Revelation [Debbie Moon]

September 24-October 1: Meet-Cute [robfrappier]

October 2-October 8: Acceptance Speech [@TheBrokenCoco]

For now, I’ll see you in comments with your suggestions for famous last words.

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