Writing Excuses Writing Excuses 8.18: Blocking
May 6, 2013
The hosts discuss the concept of blocking in writing, emphasizing character positioning and movement. They explore how blocking conveys emotions and sets up actions, as well as its role in indicating the passage of time. They also discuss the importance of establishing geography in storytelling and strategies for effectively incorporating blocking into writing.
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Stage Moves To Set Up Later Action
- Move characters for a reason and use those moves to set up later actions.
- Position a character near a prop earlier so retrieving it later feels natural and not like a sudden plot convenience.
Use Beats To Anchor Dialogue
- Use short blocking beats to break up dialogue and remind readers who's present.
- Let physical beats substitute for repeated 'he said/she said' when clarity allows.
Rough-Block Then Refine
- If the exact body language is unclear, rough-block with a placeholder and fill it in later.
- Write the dialogue flow first and add precise blocking in revision to preserve energy.