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I have a character who is reading off a list. I find it unnecessary long dialogue. I think if i put the list in the action lines/description it might flow better and then i can make the scene flow better be more interesting.
If they are saying it out loud, unfortunately it has to go in dialog. However, it does NOT need to be one long, uninterrupted block of dialog. Break it up with bits of action.
What FrankM said. You can't just put the list in the action/narrative and say "He reads the list aloud" and leave it at that. If the words are coming out of the character's mouth, that's dialogue, and dialogue is written out.
If you feel it would be too tedious to have the character recite the list, one question might be is it necessary that the list be read out? Or is it necessary that it be read out in full? Maybe he starts reading the list and is interrupted. Or maybe you have him trail off partially into the list and jump to a new scene. Just some thoughts.
If they are saying it out loud, unfortunately it has to go in dialog. However, it does NOT need to be one long, uninterrupted block of dialog. Break it up with bits of action.
The bit of action in the middle can interrupt the meeting, or you could cut away before the list is finished. Version of an old military joke in screenplay format:
EXT. ARMY CAMP - MORNING The FIRST SERGEANT (37) stands before a platoon of SOLDIERS in formation, calls out names for the daily work parties listed on a piece of paper.
FIRST SERGENT Ames.
AMES Here!
FIRST SERGENT Jenson.
JENSON Here!
FIRST SERGENT Jones.
JONES Here!
FIRST SERGENT Magersky.
MAGERSKY Here!
FIRST SERGENT Seeback.
No one responds.
FIRST SERGENT Seeback!
Still no response.
FIRST SERGENT DAMNIT SEEBACK!!!
At that point, someone whispers MOS into the First Sergeant's ear. He looked again at what the last name really said, quickly turned over the list.