This is one iceberg that won’t have you jumping ship!
Please forgive me for my terrible puns, but I have a point here! Novel writing is often likened to an iceberg—what the readers see on the surface is only a fraction of the story’s depth and complexity. The iceberg method, popularized by Ernest Hemingway, emphasizes the power of omission and subtext, allowing readers to uncover deeper layers of meaning.
Using the iceberg method can enhance your novel writing by guiding you to create rich, immersive narratives that leave a lasting impact. Ever hear the term less is more? The iceberg method is a way to give the readers more, by actually showing them less.
Keep in mind – just because you don’t write everything onto the page, doesn’t mean it isn’t there!
The iceberg method doesn’t mean that you get to slack off with your novel development. Your world should be lush. Your characters should be wrought with tragic pasts. Especially if you’re writing in the science fiction and fantasy genre, you should know the ins and outs of your story’s world and the players within it. This buildup of details comes in the form of inspiration, brainstorming, and research.
To collect these ideas (the good, the bad, and the weird), I recommend forming some kind of book bible. This helps keep your story details nice and tidy so you can reference the complete inner workings of your story, without having to slap it all onto the page.
Remember, less is more
Ah yes, a phrase we so often hear, but more often fail to do. When we consciously omit explicit story details and rely on subtext, we engage readers’ imagination and encourage active participation in the story. We give them tools to excavate and decipher deeper meaning within the narrative (sounds adventurous, right?).
Key ways we can accomplish this arduous task of “less is more” is by using minimalism, subtext, and the power of implication.
Minimalism – the use of concise and stripped-down language, where every word and sentence carries significant meaning. This involves eliminating unnecessary details, descriptions, and embellishments (aka killing your darlings).
Subtext – is the underlying meaning beneath the surface of the text. Often this is saying one thing and meaning another, or rather saying one thing and meaning three. It involves the use of subtle hints, gestures, dialogues, or actions that convey something deeper without explicitly stating them.
The Power of Implication – is trusting in the ability of your reader to make deductions, observations, and predictions from details implied, rather than stating them straightforwardly. Readers can gain an increased sense of intrigue, suspense, and anticipation by deciphering well-written implications.
Craft characters with dimension
Building a character is a sort of alchemy where you create a person’s history, motivations, inner conflicts, and much more out of thin air and your own imagination. Since this isn’t an article about crafting characters, I’ll trust that you put the work into creating the well-developed players of your story. But once you have the framework complete, brevity will be the key to planting the seedlings to let your characters grow in the reader’s mind.
By using the iceberg method, you can present subtle cues of your characterization to the reader, rather than spoon-feed them lumps of exposition and description. Think of it like watercolor. Attributes of the character are brushed in light layers throughout the progression of the story, but by the end, there is a vibrant portrait of who this character is.
This subtle buildup can be done by using techniques like selective dialogue, body language, and physical attributes to provide glimpses into a character’s submerged depths.
Establish relationships and all their complexities
Intricate relationships form an integral part of any story. The iceberg method enables writers to create complex dynamics through implicit gestures, unspoken emotions, and charged interactions.
Here are two techniques you can use to show the intricacies of your fictional relationships
Gaps in dialogue – Silence can often speak more than words. By including gaps or pauses in dialogue we can imply much about characters and their relationships. Are the pauses awkward because of the tense situation at hand? Are the silences actually wordless moments of understanding between two characters who know each other well? Is there a gap in dialogue because a character is afraid of the consequences of saying too much? Already, you can imagine the inferences made on what’s not being said.
Body language – This can be a great characterization tool. Because we often shift based on who we are interacting with, body language can help establish relationships without explicitly defining them. A character might give off different non-verbal clues in the presence of their up-tight boss than they would when hanging out with their best friend. A character that greets another with a kiss on the lips portrays a much different relationship than if they would have given them a punch to the face.
Embrace subtle plot development
This involves a delicate balance of revelation and restraint. Be selective when revealing key plot points and leave room for interpretation. The more you leave up to the reader’s interpretation and predictions, the more you will cultivate an air of suspense and intrigue.
Foreshadowing – The goal is to plant subtle hints and clues early. The most satisfying foreshadowing is achieved when a seemingly insignificant detail gains heightened importance later on. If you’re noticing a trend, both foreshadowing and the iceberg method are successful through the art of subtlety.
Incremental Reveals – Beware the dreaded info dump! Instead of revealing major plot points all at once, use a gradual release of information. Unveil key details piece by piece, this will overall build suspense and lead to a much more interesting story.
Layered Subplots – Introduce subplots that intertwine with the main plot, providing additional depth and complexity to the story. These subplots can subtly contribute to the overall narrative, adding intrigue and nuance.
Master the art of editing
You’re not expected to get the iceberg method right on draft one. Honestly, your first draft should be a scary mess that you must conquer like a Greek hero. When revising your story, you’ll probably find many instances of over-sharing. Look for areas where too much of the iceberg is visible, then use the tips mentioned in this article to help bury those chunks beneath the surface.
If you’re unsure of what to sink, go to your critique partners, alpha readers, or beta readers for feedback. They might not explicitly state the details that are being over-shared, but try to read between the lines. Focus on any areas they found drawn out, characters that felt flat or off, or story reveals that were too obvious.
Practice until you get better!
The iceberg method is not something any writer gets right on their first try. It takes a keen eye for observation and narrative nuance. These are skills that develop the more you read and write.
If I can give you a number one tip, it is to keep reading and writing with voracity. And if you’re stuck with the writing part try using the following exercise to practice the art of omission and subtext.
Writing Exercise
Write a brief scene between two characters who have a complex history. They are meeting for the first time in years, but their past relationship is never explicitly mentioned. Instead, focus on conveying the tension, emotions, and unspoken history. You should also consider the following elements: body language, dialogue, emotions, inner thoughts, and setting.
Keep in mind, the iceberg method of writing is a powerful tool to create immersive, thought-provoking narratives. By embracing minimalism, subtext, and the art of omission, writers can engage readers’ imaginations and allow them to explore the submerged depths of the story. So, dive in, embrace the murky chill of the waters below, and let your writing shine like an iceberg. It will be as brilliant and majestic as these incredible analogies I’ve been cooking up.
Thank you for reading! Or scrolling to the end and reading this blurb! Either way, you found your way onto my site, and I hoped you enjoy it. Please feel free to explore other posts and, as always, let me know if there is a topic I’m missing that you want to see covered.
Newbie to Novelist 