Write better dialogue - WRITING IN THE SUBTEXT ft. Hannibal | Writing Tips (advanced)

[@rachelwritesbooks]

TIMESTAMPS: 1:13​ - Context on Hannibal the TV show 1:40​ - Playthrough of scene from ep. 1 of Hannibal 4:47​ - What is subtext? 5:38​ - Breakdown of Hannibal script. KEY: 9:05​ - define "topical meaning" 9:18​ - define "actual meaning" 17:17​ - Warning about writing in the subtext Elements subtextual conversations should include: 18:01​ - rhythm 18:34​ - padding 19:23​ - subtle responses (conversations within conversations) 20:07​ - charged phrases 20:53​ - misdirected questions 21:41​ - thematic realizations 22:25​ - thesis 22:58​ - tension

[@augusthawley5504]

making a video about subtext completely surrounding hannibal is the most rachel thing anyone could ever do. I don't think you'll ever outdo this one

[@rachelwritesbooks]

I really just exposed my only two character traits didn’t I

[@one_smol_duck]

Dialogue is the one part of writing I've never been able to wrap my head around. I'm starting to think I've been too caught up trying to make dialogue sound "organic." Not sure why it never occurred to me that you can break down and structure dialogue the way you'd break down and structure anything else, lol. Super helpful video. Thank you for this. It's not easy to find good craft videos online, but yours are always top notch.

[@rachelwritesbooks]

So happy to hear this! I feel you when I learned that dialogue has just as much intent as narrative the game really changed! Thanks for all the support ❤️

[@bishfish7726]

I found this so interesting! I feel like I learned a lot; I would love to see more breakdowns of dialogue from Hannibal or other media if that interests you.

[@rachelwritesbooks]

I could definitely do this!

[@billyalarie929]

i think even the "Where's Crawford?" line is rich in subtext. he's expecting someone else, someone he's possibly more comfortable with. someone he's possibly more familiar with. this new guy is someone he doesn't trust, because he doesn't know him(?). this gives characterization, but it also IMMEDIATELY sets the tone for the dynamic, the mood this conversation is about to have, the tension we're almost definitely being told to strap in for. it's not going to be a joyride. it's going to be rife with swerving and other tactical modes of driving. and it's going to be FAST, and VIOLENT. and it delivers on that promise. and also, again, characterization. that line, particularly as delivered there, tells you WHO this Will guy is. it makes some suggestions that you may pick up on, if you're clever. and you'd be right.

[@rachelwritesbooks]

Great point!

[@rockbelisa]

I love how the redirection of the subject back to Hannibal's interest about Will - which happens throughout season 1 - reflects those golden nuggets from Silence of the Lambs, where Clarice would try and get what she wanted about Buffalo Bill and Hannibal would redirect the conversation to find out more about her and her past. Giving insight about the cases by making them look into themselves. Ugh, I love this so so much. Great analysis btw :) I've watched the show a bunch of times by now and there's still *so much* to dig it up.

[@rachelwritesbooks]

There’s honestly so much to parse which is why I think it’s such a masterpiece to study!

[@eliotjoy1268]

Living for the depth of this nerdery. The choice to use Hannibal to explore subtext: chef's kiss.

[@rachelwritesbooks]

thank you for watching!

[@eliotjoy1268]

@@rachelwritesbooks thanks for making it! Great food for thought and the step up from the writing 101/202 I've seen so much of on authortube

[@rachelwritesbooks]

@@eliotjoy1268 glad you enjoyed! I’ll probably make more advanced writing craft vids like this since people seemed to really enjoy this one :)

[@neuroticnovelist]

Okay so what you’re saying is I should binge Hannibal immediately? Right...deal!

[@rachelwritesbooks]

HIGHLY recommend

[@billyalarie929]

honestly i'm a month late but, BACKED HARD.

[@maya-gur695]

Hannibal is THE BEST! I always find it hard to try and learn from TV shows, movies, books etc because I get imposter syndrome. This video showed me that I can still learn from writers even when I'm not on their level. Thank you for that.

[@rachelwritesbooks]

it really is the best it's literary fiction TV I love it

[@maya-gur695]

@@rachelwritesbooks I've never thought about it that way! For several years I could not define what I love so much about it, but now that you've phrased it like that I know! It's literary fiction, but on TV, with a little bit of speculative fiction thrown in there and it's amazing!

[@rev6215]

The intro is satisfying every single time

[@rachelwritesbooks]

Lol I’m so happy you like it!

[@riigormortis]

i've always found the dialogue in hannibal to be interesting, so its cool to see it being broken down like this, which makes it easier to figure out the intention behind each line if that makes sense fhjdfgh

[@rachelwritesbooks]

It really is fascinating !

[@ian-online]

i literally can' retain anything as long as i'm not interested, and bro this video is perfect!! i liked the breakdown in colors. this was helpful.

[@rachelwritesbooks]

Ahh happy to hear hehe I remember this video taking foreverrrr to edit so that makes me happy!

[@kimwicks5540]

This is one of my favorite writing topics! Already know this is gonna be a great vid 😌

[@rachelwritesbooks]

[@dallonm6844]

u really consistently say "i believe in nbc hannibal supremacy" and you are RIGHT

[@rachelwritesbooks]

Lol didn’t realize how much of my personality is Hannibal until now :’)

[@-veronica3230]

Hannibal is one of my favorite shows. Thanks for making my day better with this video! ♡

[@rachelwritesbooks]

Of course always here to share the Hannibal love 🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@-veronica3230]

Yes! ❤ I have tried to convince my friends to watch the show because it is a masterpiece.

[@rachelwritesbooks]

@@-veronica3230 it honestly is!!!

[@-veronica3230]

🙏❤

[@nocturnus009]

Love all of this. I’m a fan of extending & playing with applications of the term Chiaroscuro: illumination & Obscurity. We are probably all aware of it’s use in painting & Noir movies, but I think it equally appropriate in what is revealed and left out of dialogue.

[@rachelwritesbooks]

Omg THAT is BEAUTIFUL I’m obsessed thanks for sharing! ❤️

[@nocturnus009]

@@rachelwritesbooks I’m just glad to be a contributing member of this community & discussion you are working. Also, it is probably time to rewatch Manhunter (1986) & Silence of the Lambs (1991). Especially with those thought bombs from ContraPoints & Lindsay Ellis. 😱🤔🤯

[@rachelwritesbooks]

@@nocturnus009 love to always hear your thoughts! ❤️

[@jmcmontanheiro]

wow you're way too smart for me, I feel stupid for forcing my brain to understand. This is a great great great video, thank you.

[@rachelwritesbooks]

Haha thank you! ❤️

[@sophialozanova]

ah this was so helpful, thank you!

[@rachelwritesbooks]

Happy to help! ❤️

[@haileyn2862]

This was so interesting and helpful !! I would love another one or something similar to this !!

[@rachelwritesbooks]

Would love to make another vid like this!

[@kb2vca]

Very thoughtful video. I wonder what you might say about this suggestion.Rather than discuss subtext as what is not in fact said, perhaps we can think about subtext as what the action is really all about. So, to offer a different piece of script, if John is flirting with Jane the text is the banter between them but the action is not chit-chat. The action is advancing towards sexual intimacy. The subtext is a movement , a dance towards (and perhaps a gentle opposition to) intimacy

[@rachelwritesbooks]

Yep - this is the definition of subtext (what is not said would intrinsically mean what is actually meant). For your example: the action/text (because action would be the text - action isn’t subtext because it actually happens though an action can have subtext attached to it) would be John and Jane flirting, the subtext would be they want intimacy.

[@miliwho7918]

this video is AMAZING!!! thank you so much

[@rachelwritesbooks]

Happy you liked it!

[@nyahj2735]

Whenever I write dialogues in my book I love conversations because it keeps the books flowing through the stories. Ps I write romance, fiction and poetry what kind of genre do you write?

[@rachelwritesbooks]

I write literary fiction and poetry!

[@nyahj2735]

@@rachelwritesbooks that’s so cool.

[@amberrose3091]

I see Hannibal I click

[@gibrett_]

This was so good.

[@rachelwritesbooks]

happy you enjoyed!

[@kiksogue]

Great stuff

[@annikachestnut5108]

What site do you use to get your author copies of your books? I’ve been having a lot of trouble embedding the text in the book I recently wrote, and the only site that is allowing my file is KDP, but I didn’t want the ugly “proof” stripe across it

[@rachelwritesbooks]

hey! I used Lulu the last time around but I've also used Blurb. If you're in the US, you can use Barnes and Noble press. If you're having trouble embedding the fonts, I know in Word you can do it really easily (there are many tutorials online and Barnes and Noble press actually has an instructional on it). There may be tutorials for other similar word processors out there!

[@KamillsWorld]

Whats the subtext of the mongoose and snake?

[@rachelwritesbooks]

Spoiler for the show so don’t read if you haven’t watched but I interpret it as Will being secretly more cunning (as a means of survival) than he even thinks he is.

[@lavymaplemagic]

💛💛💛💛😭😭✌✌

[@Zelodues]

20th view 6th like

[@rachelwritesbooks]

amazing!

[@Zelodues]

@@rachelwritesbooks No u