diff --git a/src/asami/durable/block/block_api.cljc b/src/asami/durable/block/block_api.cljc
index 8382f80..8e49dbb 100644
--- a/src/asami/durable/block/block_api.cljc
+++ b/src/asami/durable/block/block_api.cljc
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@
   "A mutating object for allocating blocks"
   (allocate-block! [this] "Allocate a new block from the manager's resources.")
   (copy-block! [this block] "Allocates a new block, initialized with a copy of another block.")
+  (write-block! [this block] "Writes a block into the managed resources. Flushing is not expected.")
   (rewind! [this] "Revert to the last commit point. Any blocks allocated since the last commit will be invalid.")
   (commit! [this] "Commits all blocks allocated since the last commit. These blocks are now read-only.")
   (close [this] "Releases all resources currently in use by this manager."))
diff --git a/src/asami/durable/block/file/block_file.clj b/src/asami/durable/block/file/block_file.clj
index 7f0c10d..fdd089a 100644
--- a/src/asami/durable/block/file/block_file.clj
+++ b/src/asami/durable/block/file/block_file.clj
@@ -214,6 +214,9 @@
   (copy-block [this block]
     (let [new-block (allocate-block this)]
       (copy-over! new-block block 0)))
+
+  ;; this operation is a no-op
+  (write-block! [this block] this)
   
   (rewind! [this]
     (vreset! next-id @commit-point)