Hemingway’s Iceberg Technique
Ernest Hemingway believed that the most powerful writing doesn’t explain everything.
He called this the Iceberg Theory.
The reader only sees the tip of the iceberg, but the deeper meaning exists beneath the surface.
Instead of explaining emotions directly, the writer lets actions and small details reveal the truth.
The underline meaning in a story, beneath the surface is something that many great authors use.
It’s also something that I teach writers to find with the Story First method since I truly believe the power of the inner story.
A wonderful book has an inner story and an outer story. 📖
Something great that you can do, especially as a newbie writer, is practice other techniques, play with the writing styles. This is how you find your own personal way of getting your words onto paper. 📑
If you’re an experienced writer, what a great way to hone into your skill than by trying other writing techniques! 😁
✅ Your Challenge
Write a short scene where a character is experiencing a strong emotion — but you cannot name the emotion.
We’ve done a challenge similar to this in the past.
But now, we are trying it out with more details.
Don't use words like:
😢sad
😡angry
😱afraid
😄excited
🥺heartbroken
Instead, show it through:
💥body language
💥small actions
💥dialogue
💥environment details
Example:
Instead of saying "He was nervous." 😬
Try something like:
"He checked his watch again, then wiped his palms on his jeans."
Let the reader feel it without being told.
Bonus Challenge
Write the same scene again but with the opposite emotion.
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Hemingway’s Iceberg Technique
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