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Q&A In a dialogue, how can I hint that the characters aren't telling the whole truth?

In one scene, I have a conversation between three characters: A, B and C. A's son and B are involved in something illegal. C isn't aware, and since A and B aren't entirely sure she can be trusted, ...

4 answers · posted 5y ago by Evil Sparrow‭ · last activity 4y ago by Tau‭

Question technique creative-writing dialogue

#2: Post edited by

Evil Sparrow‭ · 2019-12-24T01:05:56Z (almost 5 years ago)

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In one scene, I have a conversation between three characters: A, B and C. A's son and B are involved in something illegal. C isn't aware, and since A and B aren't entirely sure she can be trusted, they'd like to keep it that way.
~~The scene is being described from C's PoV. C is not used to being deceived, so she won't be suspicious right away.~~
**How can I hint to the reader that A and B are uncomfortable with C's presence and are leaving out information, without C noticing (until later)?**
(So far, the best I've been able to do is have B stop himself in mid-sentence: "I don't know. D didn't- I haven't seen him since last week." But on its own, it's not strong enough.)

In one scene, I have a conversation between three characters: A, B and C. A's son and B are involved in something illegal. C isn't aware, and since A and B aren't entirely sure she can be trusted, they'd like to keep it that way.
The scene is being described from C's PoV (3rd person). C is not used to being deceived, so she won't be suspicious right away.
**How can I hint to the reader that A and B are uncomfortable with C's presence and are leaving out information, without C noticing (until later)?**
(So far, the best I've been able to do is have B stop himself in mid-sentence: "I don't know. D didn't- I haven't seen him since last week." But on its own, it's not strong enough.)

#1: Initial revision by

Evil Sparrow‭ · 2019-12-23T23:39:24Z (almost 5 years ago)

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In one scene, I have a conversation between three characters: A, B and C. A's son and B are involved in something illegal. C isn't aware, and since A and B aren't entirely sure she can be trusted, they'd like to keep it that way. 

The scene is being described from C's PoV. C is not used to being deceived, so she won't be suspicious right away.

**How can I hint to the reader that A and B are uncomfortable with C's presence and are leaving out information, without C noticing (until later)?**


(So far, the best I've been able to do is have B stop himself in mid-sentence: "I don't know. D didn't- I haven't seen him since last week." But on its own, it's not strong enough.)

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