Office Hours

Ambiguity vs Subtext (How Coy to Be)

Q.

I am a newish member of Story Club and have already found it immensely enjoyable and instructive. Thank you!

I have a question: I have very recently completed a first draft of my debut novel. And as the real work begins here, I would love to ask about something I have been thinking a great deal about as a playwright turned attempted novelist: AMBIGUITY and SUBTEXT.

How do you, in your work, decide on how ‘open’ or ‘closed’ to be with an idea. I find myself sometimes thinking, “this idea is great, I hope the reader gets it” and then, of course, by making it too obvious I’ve ruined it. How do you judge how clear or ambiguous to make things for the reader?