How do I express sarcasm in non-dialogue text when writing a fiction novel?
Last Updated: 28.06.2025 00:36
Sarcasm is, almost by definition, dialogue. In fact, Merriam-Webster defines it as:
“I hardly think this is the time for a lesson on the mathematics of planar resonance in advanced multidimensional thaumaturgy.”
“Lord Dormer is personally overseeing this attack on my mind,” Serene said. “He appears to be directly coupled to the accumulator. I do not know why he is not using more of the stored power within it.”
Trump Media Raises $2.32B—Bitcoin Treasury and Big Moves Ahead - Bitcoin.com News
“Right. The Eye. Why can’t you just teleport me there?”
“The Adversary has placed sentries of a sort,” Spencer’s voice announced, “which I expect will grow more numerous as you get closer.”
“What?”
7 Surprising Home and Garden Mistakes That Could Be Making Your Allergies Worse - Yahoo
“You see?” Spencer’s voice came. “My logic is beyond reproach. Iris is too important to the future of the Guild to risk. Dia and Janet likewise. The other students lack May’s outside perspective, so they are less likely to succeed. May is the right choice: expendable, but still just capable enough to make victory possible.”
“Advanced what?” She picked up speed, finding as she raced along the sidewalk that her legs didn’t tire, her lungs didn’t burn. “Is that a thing?”
So I’m not sure that you can have “sarcasm in non-dialogue text,” as sarcasm is generally defined in terms of something you say or express…or perhaps I’m just not getting what you’re trying to ask.
Sony’s DualSense Edge controller is receiving a rare $30 discount - The Verge
“I am, as I believe we have established already, a cat.”
“Think of something. Make it good, or all is lost.”
Serene raised her hand. “I don’t think this is a good—”
First American Spacewalk 60 Years Ago Today - The Weather Channel
“What do you need me to do?” May said.
“No.”
“Did you know they would try to grab me?”
“So sorry to disturb you,” Spencer said. “I thought you’d want to be informed of potential threats ahead. If I’ve misjudged, please don’t hesitate to let me know.”
“I can answer that,” May said. “They’ve already used most of that energy for something else. We still don’t understand exactly what. A directed spell of some sort, focused through a human sacrifice.”
May jumped. “Don’t sneak up on a girl like that! You almost scared me out of my skin.”
“In that case, lemme have it.”
“Oh, I get it! You’re being snarky.”
“What other things?”
watchOS 26 preview: 5 new Apple Watch features I can’t wait to try - Tom's Guide
“I’m a cat.”
“Can’t you just, like, blink me directly to where I need to be?” May said.
Cambridge Dictionary concurs:
Are fanservice-y characters (i.e. Lara Croft, Tifa Lockhart) immediately bad?
“How?”
“But I can,” May said. “You helped me out when I was in a bind, and you didn’t even know me. Besides, Spencer’s right.”
“You could at least try to sugar-coat it a bit,” May grumbled.
What Happens to Your Blood Pressure When You Eat Dark Chocolate Every Day? - Verywell Health
“If you must know,” Spencer said in a tone that suggested she didn’t, “it will allow Serene to see through your eyes and utilise you as a conduit for her spellcasting abilities. If you please.”
“Ordinarily I would say yes, but as the Adversary continues to gain ground in this space, I find myself increasingly constrained. I fear you will need to make your own way.”
a sharp and often satirical or ironic utterance designed to cut or give pain.
Elden Ring Nightreign Is Getting An Official Hardcover Strategy Guide - GameSpot
“Okay, okay, you don’t have to rub it in.” May ran a hand through her hair. “What do I need to do?”
“Yes?”
“Ah, of course. Listen, this is your space, or alternate reality, or dream, or whatever the hell it is, right? You’ve already zapped me around from place to place. Why am I hoofing it to wherever it is I’m going?”
49ers' Williams healthy, introspective in year 16 - ESPN
I’m…hmm. I’ve seen this question float through my feed a couple of times now, and I’m still not quite sure I understand what you’re asking.
A moment later, the barrage ended. The dome, now considerably smaller than it had been, faded from view. That sense of presence returned to the statue. “I’m terribly sorry.” Spencer’s voice sounded thinner, somehow, weaker in May’s ears. “This situation is an intolerable nuisance. May, I wonder if we might impose on you to help save Serene’s life and ensure the future of the Guild? I wish I could say you’ll be fine, but I’m afraid the odds are rather good that you’ll die.”
“Your objection is noted,” Spencer said. “If we may move on to the important bit of this conversation, I would be appreciative if you might make your way over to the Eye and see if you might sabotage or otherwise distract our opponents long enough for Serene to shake off this bothersome spell that’s trying to eat its way into her mind. I would do it myself, but as you can see, I’m a bit busy maintaining this place and limiting the Adversary’s access, though I will confess to some consternation at the effectiveness with which they’ve made their way in. It must be convenient to have access to a source of energy more powerful than anything ever recorded in the history of magic. Crude, our opponents, but highly effective. Anything can be weaponized if you put enough force behind it.”
Do you have pics of the wife making out with another guy?
“May,” Serene said, “I can’t—”
“I didn’t realise you were so sarcastic.”
the use of remarks that clearly mean the opposite of what they say, made in order to hurt someone's feelings or to criticize something in a humorous way
“So hey, about that.” May followed the street along the bank of the river. Strange blurred figures walked along the sidewalk with her, looming threateningly over her, dim and amorphous save for their hands and legs. She shivered as she made her way around them. In the street, suggestions of cars screamed by, much too fast, as vague and indistinct as the walking figures except for the noise and stench they left in their wake. “That night you followed me home from the club…”
May stared down at her mug, half-expecting to see some strange brew of raw magical essence. Ordinary tea filled an ordinary china cup. She took a deep breath, then swallowed the liquid. Nothing in particular happened. “Thank you,” Spencer said. “Now, off you go.”
In our upcoming novel London Under Veil, Eunice and I have a character who’s quite sarcastic:
Injuries force USMNT to make roster changes as the Gold Cup nears - The Washington Post
“The Eye.”
I’m not really sure how you’d convey sarcasm without dialogue, since sarcasm is, by its nature, intrinsically wedded to dialogue. It’s a form of expression.
“Good heavens.” Annoyance touched Spencer’s voice. “We can’t be expected to figure out everything! You’ll have to work that bit out. Please, drink your tea.”
“I’m still not entirely clear on what you want me to do.”
“Right. Okay. Focus.” She hurried along, trotting through the London that was not London, surrounded by phantasmagorical impressions of people that flitted around her in silence. “So how does this work? Is this, like, a real-time simulation? Are those weird blurs actually people in the real London right now? If someone were walking down this street in real London, would they see people where I see those—whatever they are?”
Serene’s face hardened. “I see. In any event, as long as he remains connected to it, I cannot escape. You need to break his connection.”
“Ah, forgive me once again. May, I would consider it a personal favour if you might consider doing a small task for me.” Spencer’s voice carried a note of supercilious sarcasm. “You might not die.”
“I cannot see the future.” A hint of impatience coloured Spencer’s voice. “At the moment, I think the task at hand is rather more pressing than the past.”
“There are currently some…complications. The Adversary has created a significant intrusion into this space, territory they control. Their presence is, and I do not say this lightly, quite painful. I have done the best I can.”
“Fine.” May rose from the small table. “The hard way it is.”
Spencer sighed, the sound coming from the air itself. “It’s not really tea, of course. It’s the tangible representation, within this space, of a spell. Specifically, a spell that will allow you to communicate with Serene from wherever you are, among other things.”
“Good luck.” Serene stood. They embraced for a moment, then the air sizzled, the diagram flared, and May found herself standing, shuddering and queasy, at the foot of the skyscraper. She set out down the street in the strange twilit gloom of Spencer’s imaginary London, toward the scribble of the Thames and the sinister whirligig of the London Eye.