Ernest Hemingway was a renowned author and one of the most influential writers of the 20th century. Apart from his unique writing style, he was also famous for his “iceberg theory” of writing. Now, before you start picturing a giant floating iceberg, let me tell you what this theory is all about.

The iceberg theory – or theory of omission – is a writing technique that suggests that the true meaning of a story lies beneath the surface, just like the majority of an iceberg lies hidden beneath the waterline. In other words, a writer avoids explicitly discussing underlying themes and let the reader fill in the gaps. This allows the reader to become more involved in the complexities of the story and draw their own conclusions.

It sounds simple enough in theory, but incorporating the technique into writing is no easy feat. You have to be a master of subtlety; Rather than force-feeding details to the reader, you need to let them figure out the subtext.

For example, let’s say you’re describing a character who’s going through a tough time. Instead of explicitly stating their feelings, you could describe their body language or the way they interact with others. You could also use metaphors to convey their emotions.

For example: “As Timbo walked down the street, his shoulders slumped, and his feet dragged against the dry path. The weight of the world seemed to be on his shoulders, dragging his down like an anchor.”

Now, I’m certainly no Hemingway… I’m barely a writer… but hopefully you get the gist of this example: The text doesn’t explicitly state that Timbo is sad or depressed, but the reader can infer it from the description. The use of metaphors like “the weight of the world” and “like an anchor” adds depth and complexity to the character’s emotions.

By leaving out explicit details and letting the reader fill in the gaps, you can create a more engaging and immersive story. Just like the iceberg that sunk the Titanic, the bulk of it lies beneath the surface!