WORDS WITH MR. KAUMANS- KEVIN KAUMANS
When it comes to the topic of subtlety in writing, it is often a difficult subject to grasp for inexperienced writers.
A lot of times, when reading their works, I find that they tend to shove the message of their works in your face rather than let you figure it out on your own. A problem I have with a lot of the movies coming out recently is how they treat the audience like young children that need everything explained to them, else the message goes right over their heads. Granted, not all modern movies do this, but more than enough to be tolerable have.
So, what exactly is subtlety? Subtlety is when a theme or message is difficult to understand. For example, “Blood Meridian” is a famous book for its subtle writing. Despite being written over 30 years ago, fans of McCarthy to this day are still debating what the point of this book is. This is due to the fact a lot of the book seems to be just violence for the sense of violence. Yet, there is a exotic beauty to the story that I can not for the life of me seem to understand the reason for these feelings of attraction.
Another good example of subtlety is “American Psycho.” Many people online argue about which—if any—of the supposed murders Bateman committed were real and which only happened in his head.
There are also the topics of consumerism, identity and some even say homoeroticism, that lie within the movie. See, a book, movie or video game can have more than one theme and/or message; In fact, it is rare for stories to have only one theme in them, with the exception in this rule being short stories or poems meant for very young children.
“So Kevin, you handsome, quick-witted casanova who definitely does not have an inferiority complex,” I hear you cry. “How can I make sure my themes and ideals fit into my books without shoving it down my readers’ throats?” And to that, I reply: “No problem Stephen King, take a seat and I’ll explain in the simplest terms possible how I can help you write another horror story that’ll be adapted into a mediocre film with a soundtrack of unnecessary loud music like the composer is trying to compensate for their wife taking the kids.”
Now, the first thing you want to do is figure out exactly what you want your story to be about. Are you writing a book about a young boy with a physical handicap being transported into a fantasy world who has to find a magical sword to slay the evil emperor of the lands? Or are you writing a movie script about a black woman living as a prostitute in 1950s Alabama? Perhaps you want to make a video game where people play a single father trying to provide for his two children in a post-apocalypse London. Whatever the story is, make sure the themes you attach to it makes sense in the context of the story.
Secondly, you must make sure to include scenes in your story that actually explore the themes you want to. If you want to push the message that we shouldn’t judge people by how they were born in your fantasy book about the handicapped boy, show scenes of him being discriminated against by his classmates, family members, and the people around him. Same goes for the black prostitute story. Don’t be afraid to be mature and graphic with your scenes, but at the same time to make it to the point it becomes unrealistic or virtue signaling.
Third and finally, keep the show-don’t-tell rule in the back of your mind at all times. If you just have your characters explain word-for-word what it is you’re trying to portray, it won’t have the same effect on the audience as showing it in a subtle light will. Some might even get offended, thinking you’re calling them too dumb to figure it out by themselves.
Overall, subtlety in writing is an art that can take years, if not decades, to master. But you must be patient and not try to rush the learning process. Don’t be too hard on yourself either. No one is perfect, and the only way to improve is to make mistakes.
