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• ↓ A blog about writing
• ↓ But there are other ways to handle beats
• ↓ Examine your passages of dialogue
• ↓ In conclusion
• ↓ First, Know the Rules Before You Break Them
• ↓ Reasons to Break Those Rules
• ↓ Top Alternatives to writersinthestormblog.com

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"Beats are such small moments in a novel that it’s tempting to think of them as inconsequential and not worth our careful attention. I’m talking about dialogue beats (not screenwriting beats, which are something else altogether), those moments around a conversation where a character might put down their glass or notice the setting sun."

"And yet, if used effectively, beats can be story-changers, not only in filling out a scene but also in developing character. More often than not, however, we settle for something generic and allow our characters to sigh, laugh, nod, and shrug their shoulders."

"Generic beats are like dandelions: if you don’t root them out, they’re liable to take over an entire story. We rely on them because they’re easy. We know the dialogue needs a dramatic moment, a pause, something, so why not let our characters smile their way through dinner? The trouble is, generic beats do nothing to develop character. Yes, they’re easy, but they’re also ineffective."

"If you actually count the number of times your characters smile, laugh, nod, etc. you might be in for a shock. This will likely be the moment when you accept there’s a problem and it must be tackled. So, you turn to bodily betrayals instead—sweating palms, racing hearts, upset stomachs. Marginally better, but these come with a built-in problem: sooner or later (probably sooner), you’re going to run out of body parts. Your poor character’s heart will race so many times, the reader will be certain a coronary is imminent."

Key Topics & Focus Areas for writersinthestormblog.com:

A blog about writing

But there are other ways to handle beats

Examine your passages of dialogue

In conclusion

First, Know the Rules Before You Break Them

Reasons to Break Those Rules