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Feedback on problems with writing in the block editor #34664

@annezazu

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@annezazu

What problem does this address?

While drafting a longer post a few weekends ago, I found myself a bit distracted due to the interface in a way that I hadn't been previously. This was partially due to me throwing down sentences in chunks and trying to build them into paragraphs. Since I don't see this as an unusual way to start writing and do almost solely write in the block editor, I wanted to pass along some specific items of feedback that I noticed in this experience that proved to be cumbersome, especially since writing posts is obviously a main goal for users.

The block toolbar for a paragraph block covers the text completely above. This hiding effect makes it really hard to see all of your writing and feels more distracting/disorienting, especially when drafting a post:

toolbar covering

The “type / to choose a block” ends up being just one more item of text to ignore when trying to think/write. When trying to get into the writing mood, I find having one more item of text to block out of my brain in order to find the words I want to write to be less than ideal. This is especially true when starting to write a sentence, deleting, and restarting only to see that phrase pop up (both when deleting and beneath the text if I started writing there too):

prompt

The sheer number of ways to add a block can feel a bit overwhelming and confusing. In most cases, I can see two black + buttons, one floating button, the overall prompt, and the Inserter. This seems to get worse when the Top Toolbar mode is enabled. This is related to the currently open issue around the + button in general but I'm including it here for comprehensiveness #26404

add block prompts

What is your proposed solution?

Previously, there were some explorations in #2460 (comment) and #2876 that were a bit inconclusive (should this be a plugin's role or Core's role?). Personally, I'd love to see a mode offered that helps solve some of these problems and that's tailored towards writing.

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    General InterfaceParts of the UI which don't fall neatly under other labels.Needs DesignNeeds design efforts.Needs Design FeedbackNeeds general design feedback.[Feature] Writing FlowBlock selection, navigation, splitting, merging, deletion...[Type] DiscussionFor issues that are high-level and not yet ready to implement.[Type] FeedbackIssues that relate purely to feedback on a feature that isn't necessarily actionable

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