How to put Subliminal Messaging in your writing?

drawn by: Nili DooL

Subliminal messages, in writing, refer to subtle cues or influencers embedded within the plot, character development, or even the language used in a book that could envoke certaiin thoughts, emotions or reactions from the reader without their beig overtly aware of it. As mentioned in previous blogs, subliminal messages are a very powerful tool in your stories. 

These subtle messages could be influenctial or even uncousious on the part of the author. 

Subtle Themes: a recurring themee or symbol in the plot (like justice or love) can nudge you to think more about those ideas in your own life.

◇ Character Archetypes: How characters are portrayed (good vs. bad, or strong vs. weak) can shape your unconscious biases.

◇ Word Choice & Language: The tone and words used in descriptions can make you feel sadness, joy, or fear-without the book directly telling you to feel that way.

◇ Plot Manipulation: The way a story unfolds can play with your emotions, making you root for characters or sympathize with certain situations in subtle, profound ways.

◇ Repetition: Repeating an idea throughout the book can make it stick in your mind, influencing your subconscious beliefs and values.

Examples!

◆ Subtle Themes: these could be some power dynamics or social justice, throughout the plot. For instance, a character's repeated actions or decisions may hint at a broader message about inequality or oppression without overtly stating it. The reader may unconsciously absorb these themes and feel influenced by the book's underlying messages.

◇ Word Choice & Language: you may use specific word choices that evoke particular emotions or ideas without the reader consciously noticing. For instance, using words with negative connotations when describing certain characters or situations can subtly influence the reader to perceive those elements negatively. The choice of sensory descriptions (e.g., a „warm" color palette for joyous scenes) can also trigger emotional responses without direct statements.

◇ Character Archetypes: characters might be written in ways that reflect certain stereotypes or societal norms, which can shape the reader's perceptions without them realizing it. For instance, if a certain type of character is consistently portrayed as "good" and another as „bad”, this can subconsciously influence readers' thoughts about those real-world groups, even if the novel isn't explicitly focused on such divisions.

◇ Plot Manipulation: the structure of a story itself can subtly affect how a reader thinks or feels. For instance, you might craft a plot where good characters suffer a lot before ultimately succeeding, evoking feelings of sympathy and hope. The emotions the plot manipulates in subtle ways could encourage the reader to think more deeply about personal struggles, triumphs, or even social or political matters.

◇ Repetition: if a particular idea is mentioned repeatedly throughout the book, even in passing, the reader may start to internalize it. For instance, a book that consistently refers to themes like "self- reliance" or "freedom" might subtly encourage readers to adopt those values more consciously in their own lives, without the book ever directly telling them what to think.

by: Nili DooL