“Didn’t even know I was subtexting so often until I read your book. Your examples are teachers. Should be required reading. You’ve done it again… and again…”
— Alvin Sargent, Academy award-winning screenwriter Ordinary People; screenwriter Paper Moon, Spiderman-2, Spiderman-3
“Linda Seger explores the previously unexplored landscape of subtext in screenwriting in a masterful, intriguing, and insightful way. This book will benefit everyone — professional, aspiring, inquiring, and just plain interested writers. It’s a thoroughly good read.”
— Syd Field, teacher and author of best-selling book Screenplay
“Linda Seger is a born teacher. She has a gift for clarifying the subtleties of language and storytelling, and for offering techniques and insights to writers at all levels. Subtext is a power tool in the writer’s arsenal, and following the techniques outlined here could make the difference between good and great. Love the book. Highly recommended!”
— #1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Wiggs
“If structure is the skeleton of a screenplay, subtext is its lifeblood. Linda Seger illuminates this vital aspect of the screenwriter’s art with the aid of well-chosen examples from dozens of films. The remarks by legendary screenwriter Alvin Sargent make a perfect final chapter, and the at the end is a treasure trove for further study.”
— Dan Kleinman, screenwriter: Rage, Welcome to Oblivion; professor of filmmaking at Columbia University
“Seger’s Writing Subtext reminds the screenwriter — or any writer — to go that extra step to fully examine human interactions and intents and to use what lies beneath the surface to enhance dialogue and action. Using examples from a wide range of films, this book is a great reminder that each word and action can be used in creative and deep ways.”
— Jule Selbo, screenwriter: Hard Promises, Hercules, Young Indiana Jones, Chronicles, Cinderella II and more; chair of the Radio-TV-Film Department at California State University, Fullerton
“In book after book, Linda Seger gives writers both the tools and the inspiration to transform their work into something truly wonderful. I love this book! Linda brilliantly examines this topic, and has taken it to whole new areas and levels, showing the innumerable ways that carefully chosen dialogue, description, gestures, and images can convey untold layers of meaning and emotion.”
— Michael Hauge, script consultant; author of Writing Screenplays That Sell and Selling Your Story in 60 Seconds
“Linda Seger illuminates the power and necessity of subtext in her brilliant new book. A must read for anyone wanting to know the tricks of the trade.”
— Linda Purl, actress/founder California International Theatre Festival
“The power of subtext to intelligently involve your audience cannot be underestimated! In these pages, Linda Seger will give you perspectives and tools to transform good writing into great!”
— Wm. Paul Young, best-selling author, The Shack
“Linda’s book masterfully deconstructs the art of creating subtext, using numerous excellent examples and helpful exercises. An absolute must for any writer’s library!”
— Bill Lundy, The Scriptwriter’s Network
“Listen to Linda. Subtext is everything.”
— John Truby, author of The Anatomy of Story creator of Blockbuster story software
“Linda Seger is a master of making the intangible tangible. She not only explains the many facets of subtext simply and clearly, using fun and dead-on examples, but she offers user-friendly tricks and exercises to help writers inject subtext into their own work. If you’re trying to give your story extra layers, extra depth… or if you’ve ever run into a wall when thinking about your characters… this book is a godsend.”
— Chad Gervich, writer/producer: Wipeout, Reality Binge, Speeders, Foody Call; author: Small Screen, Big Picture: A Writer’s Guide to the TV Business
“Writing Subtext take writers to new depths of subtlety and levels of sophistication. Screenwriters should take notice; this book can move your script from ‘nice job’ to ‘greenlight.’”
— Lee Zahavi, product manager, ScriptShark, http://www.scriptshark.com
Published by Michael Wiese Productions
12400 Ventura Blvd. #1111
Studio City, CA 91604
tel. 818.379.8799
fax 818.986.3408
Cover photo by Edward Nunez
Interior Book Design: Gina Mansfield Design
Editor: Annalisa Zox-Weaver
Printed by McNaughton & Gunn, Inc., Saline, Michigan
Manufactured in the United States of America
© 2011 by Dr. Linda Seger
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without permission in writing from the publisher, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Seger, Linda.
Writing subtext : what lies beneath / Linda Seger.
p. cm.
Includes filmography.
ISBN 978-1-932907-96-4
1. Subtext (Drama, novel, etc.) 2. Motion picture authorship. 3. Television authorship. I. Title.
PN3383.S83S44 2011
808.2’3--dc22
2011002808
Dedicated to the men in my family:
my brother, Fred Seger,
my brother-in-law, Gunther Roth,
my nephew, Greg Anderson,
my grand-nephew, Caleb Austin Stewart (age 4 ½),
and, always to my dear husband, Peter Hazen Le Var
OTHER BOOKS BY LINDA SEGER
Making a Good Script Great
Creating Unforgettable Characters
The Art of Adaptation:
Turning Fact and Fiction into Film
From Script to Screen:
The Collaborative Art of Filmmaking
When Women Call The Shots:
The Developing Power and Influence
of Women in Television and Film
Making a Good Writer Great
Advanced Screenwriting
And the Best Screenplay Goes to:
Learning from the Winners
