Tony Tips Tuesdays™: The Power of Subtlety—Trust Your Readers

Welcome to this week’s Tony Tips Tuesdays™! Today, we’re shining a light on one of the most underappreciated tools in a writer’s arsenal: subtlety. As writers, we sometimes feel the need to explain everything—emotions, motivations, actions, and implications—but true storytelling power often lies in what’s not said.

“Don’t overexplain. Trust your readers to pick up on subtlety and read between the lines.”

That’s the tip—and it might be the secret to writing that sticks.

Why Subtlety Matters

Readers are smart. They want to engage with your story, not be spoon-fed every detail. When you leave a little unsaid, you invite readers into the narrative as active participants. You give them the dignity to interpret, imagine, and invest emotionally.

This trust deepens the bond between writer and reader. It also reflects a deeper truth about the human experience: life itself is rarely straightforward. People often say one thing and mean another, act bravely while hiding fear, or remain silent in the face of heartbreak. Subtle writing reflects this complexity.

Show, Don’t Tell—With Restraint

We’ve all heard the writing rule: Show, don’t tell. But what does that really mean in practice? It’s not just about using vivid imagery—it’s about letting the reader feel what’s going on without being told how to feel.

Instead of writing: "She was heartbroken," try: "She stared at the phone screen, blinking away the tears that kept returning, no matter how many times she wiped them." That subtlety allows the reader to connect on a deeper level.

The key is emotional authenticity. When you trust the reader to observe your character’s actions and piece together the emotion, it often hits harder than any declaration ever could.

Trust Is a Two-Way Street

Subtlety also builds trust between writer and reader. When you don’t overexplain, you’re telling your reader, “I trust you to get this.” And when the reader does get it—when they make that connection for themselves—it’s far more powerful than anything you could’ve told them outright.

Think of your writing as a conversation—not a lecture. Great writing doesn’t talk at readers; it draws them in.

Of course, balance is important. Being subtle doesn’t mean being vague or confusing. Clarity still matters. But once the groundwork is there, pull back. Let the reader meet you halfway.

Faith-Based Inspiration

God often speaks in a still, small voice—not in thunder or fire, but in quiet moments of revelation. As writers, we can take a page from that divine playbook. Every story doesn’t need a trumpet blast to leave a lasting impression.

“Be still, and know that I am God.” —Psalm 46:10

There’s strength in restraint. Power in quiet. Purpose in subtlety. And sometimes, the most life-changing truths are revealed in the gentlest whispers.

Subtle writing also mirrors how Jesus taught. Through parables—short, symbolic stories—He invited listeners to seek meaning, to wrestle with truth, and to come to understanding through reflection. He didn’t always overexplain, and yet His teachings have lasted for millennia.

Examples from Master Storytellers

• Toni Morrison: In Beloved, Morrison never overexplains trauma or love. She lets the characters breathe—and lets the reader feel the weight. Subtle word choices and carefully placed gaps in dialogue create emotional resonance.

  
  

• Ernest Hemingway: Famous for his Iceberg Theory—where most of the story lies beneath the surface. In Hills Like White Elephants, two characters have an entire conversation about an abortion without ever saying the word.

  
  

• Jesmyn Ward: In Sing, Unburied, Sing, emotions and history simmer beneath sparse, poetic prose. Her restraint forces the reader to sit in the tension and draw meaning from what’s left unsaid.

  
  

• Chinua Achebe: In Things Fall Apart, much of the narrative's power comes from cultural rituals, traditions, and the tension between silence and expectation.

  
  

• Celeste Ng: In Everything I Never Told You, she masterfully balances what is known and unknown, leading the reader on a journey of discovery through nuance.

Common Overexplaining Mistakes—and How to Avoid Them

1. Repeating Internal Monologue: If the character just acted angrily, don’t follow with, “He was angry.” Let the action speak.

   
   

2. Telling the Reader How to Feel: Avoid lines like “It was the saddest thing she had ever experienced.” Show her crying, withdrawing, or reaching for comfort instead.

   
   

3. Explaining Obvious Motives: Trust that if a character is slamming a door, the reader knows they're upset. Don’t add, “because she was mad.”

Tip: After drafting a scene, go back and highlight every sentence that explains something. Ask yourself—can I cut or rework this to be more subtle?

Writing Exercises

1. Cut the Explanation: Take a paragraph where you explain an emotion. Rewrite it without naming the emotion.

   
   

2. Silent Scene: Write a scene of tension or love without any dialogue—just actions, reactions, and surroundings.

   
   

3. Layered Dialogue: Write a conversation where what’s said is very different from what’s meant.

   
   

4. Beta Reader Check: Ask someone to read your scene and tell you what they picked up emotionally. Did they catch the underlying message?

Declarations for Writers

• “I trust my readers to connect with my story.”

  
  

• “I will write with restraint and intention.”

  
  

• “My silence on the page can speak volumes.”

  
  

• “I will not fear subtlety—I will embrace its power.”

Final Thoughts

Your readers are more perceptive than you think. Trust them. Empower them. Invite them into your story with just enough light to see—and enough shadow to wonder.

When you don’t overexplain, you give your audience the space to bring their own experiences, thoughts, and interpretations into the work. You honor their intelligence and imagination. And that makes your story not just something they read—but something they feel.

Let your words whisper. Let the unspoken speak.

Happy writing—and see you next time for another Tony Tips Tuesdays!

About the Author:

Tyrone Tony Reed Jr. is the author of the inspirational superhero novel series S.O.L.A.D.™: Soldiers of Light Against Darkness™. This faith-driven, action-packed series follows teen heroes Kevin Edwards (Angelo™) and Juanita Grayson (Angeline™) as they battle demons, face impossible odds, and discover their true purpose as defenders of light in a dark world.

If you're looking for stories filled with hope, purpose, action, and supernatural battles between good and evil—S.O.L.A.D.™ is for you.

Order your autographed copies today at: www.tyronetonyreedjr.com/shop

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