Writing Examples

Hey writers,

Welcome back to Writing Examples. Last week, we answered the question "What if the sea could hug?" This week, explore how simple dialogue can reveal the complexities of a character.

Succession Is Shakespearean

Macbeth: “I am in blood / Stepped in so far that should I wade no more, / Returning were as tedious as go o’er.” 

– Shakespeare, Macbeth

Logan Roy: “You’re a f***ing idiot. And you are not a killer. You have to be a killer!”

– Jesse Armstrong, Succession
 

You might think of Succession as a vulgar, modern drama about the One Percent while holding Shakespeare as the pinnacle of literary sophistication. But that would be a misjudgment of both.

Today, vulgar means indecent or unrefined, but historically, the word meant "common" or "of the people." Succession is as high-brow as Shakespeare is plebeian. To disqualify Succession from being sophisticated because of its vulgarity is to miss the point. Both Succession and Shakespeare are vulgar, in the original sense of the word. They both use the language “of the people” to reveal the raw truths of power and morality through dialogue.

In the line above, from Macbeth, Shakespeare describes the depth of Macbeth’s moral decay: “I am in blood / Stepped in so far….” He has crossed a line, where retreating from evil would be just as painful as seeing it through to the end. This single line captures Macbeth’s realization that he’s trapped by his own ambition and violence, and it marks his descent into madness.

In Succession, Logan Roy berates his son about the value of ruthlessness, telling him he doesn’t have what it takes to dominate in the cutthroat world of power and business: “You have to be a killer!” 

Though centuries apart, both quotes show how simple dialogue can express complex moral landscapes, intensify interpersonal drama, and reveal a character’s true motivations. Like Shakespeare, Succession uses “vulgar” language to highlight something universal about human ambition and the fallibility of our own consciences.

Dialogue captures the essence of a message in ways that plain exposition cannot. Whether you're writing a fictional story or a nonfiction anecdote, use dialogue to convey meaning. Dialogue condenses characters and conflicts into profound moments that your reader will remember.

How I Write Podcast

How to Write a Memoir | Rob Henderson

Ever thought to yourself, “I would love to write a memoir someday”? 

Then you’re in the right place. Rob has an exceptional story — from foster care to Yale, from a troubled childhood to a best-selling memoir called Troubled — and in this episode, he demystifies the memoir-writing process for you.  

He and David cover questions like: Which stories are worthy of sharing? How do you pace the narrative? How do you excavate difficult memories? How do you balance the emotional highs with the lows? Get ready to learn how to write a gripping memoir. 

Listen Now: YouTube | Spotify | Apple

Thank you for reading Writing Examples. This week, see how dialogue can elevate the depth of your writing and how "vulgar" language can express profound universal truths.

Happy writing,

The Write of Passage Team