The Iceberg theory

The theory of omission. A writing technique developed by the American author; Ernest Hemingway.

“Hemingway said that only the tip of the iceberg showed in fiction. The reader will see only what is above the water; but the knowledge that you have about your character that never makes it into the story acts as the bulk of the iceberg. And that is what gives your story weight and gravitas.”

- Jenna Blum in The Author at Work, 2013

The Iceberg theory suggests that the narrative, complexities, and the symbolism all operate beneath the surface of the story itself.

“I omitted the real end [of “Out of Season”] which was that the old man hanged himself. This was omitted on my new theory that you could omit anything… and the omitted part would strengthen the story.”

Ever unaware, quick to respond; long have we ceased to look beneath the surface. Blinded by ego-threatening fear, we choose merely to perceive those, easily dismissible, simplicities.

Perhaps your fear of drowning is keeping you from exploring those deep waters? It’s not as simple as you’d like it to be, nothing was ever simple. Go deep so you may not only know, but understand. Go deep; or continue drowning in your own ignorance.

“A few things I have found to be true. If you leave out important things or events that you know about, the story is strengthened. If you leave or skip something because you do not know it, the story will be worthless. The test of any story is how very good the stuff that you, not your editors, omit.”

Unable; although more likely unwilling, to admit to the laziness of your so called ‘solutions’. An uncompromising refusal to find more than that which you can see. These warriors of the known world. How are we to communicate the revelations found in those deepest waters to these who only trust their own eyes?

Ever the solutionist, aren’t you?

Omission; a strange concept to a generation driven by the need to document themselves.

Omission; a strange concept to those who think their views important.

“No good book has ever been written that has in it symbols arrived at beforehand and stuck in … That kind of symbol sticks out like raisins in raisin bread. Raisin bread is all right, but plain bread is better. … I tried to make a real old man, a real boy, a real sea, a real fish and real sharks. But if I made them good and true enough they would mean many things. The hardest thing is to make something really true and sometimes truer than true.”