How To Use Dictation To Write Your Book
Vložit
- čas přidán 8. 09. 2024
- Get your free 7 Steps to Write your Novel cheatsheet at: www.thecreative...
Dictation can help you write faster, bypass critical voice, and be a healthier writer. In this video, I talk about:
- Reasons why you should dictate
- Common excuses as to why you might be avoiding it
- Tips on hardware and software
- How I dictate my books
You can read the full article here:
www.thecreativ...
You can find interviews with other dictating authors in this Dictation Playlist:
• Dictate Your Book
One trick for getting past your desire to edit the words as they appear on the screen when using voice to text right in your word processing program is to set your text colour to white while you dictate. You can then select-all and change the text colour back to black and see your draft.
Hey Joanna! thanks for the info. very helpful as always. I’m trying to boost my daily productivity using dictation. what prevented this in the past was the onerous clean up required. Of course these days the process of dictation is being transformed by the Generative AI tools ChatGPT and Bard. I’ve taught in a single session ChatGPT how to recognize and spell my quirky character names. And one can easily have the AI take a blob of messy dictation and clean it up so it is concise and clear. We are truly in a new world now. Plus iOS 17 coming out in Sept or Oct will have more capable AI enhanced dictation built in including predictive text!
Yes, absolutely, the old dictation tools aren't necessary anymore. I sometimes just dictate into Gmail on my phone and it works well (even for story text etc). I need to update this video, lol!
@@thecreativepenn I'd love to see that new video :)
Dictation has been a game changer for me.
Fantastic :)
Which software do you use?
Totally agree! When I type, I find myself stuttering and rethinking as I type, instead of allowing the thoughts and ideas to just steam out of my mind. Voice recording and voice-to-text have helped a lot. Although with voice-to-text, I need to stop watching the scene so much, I still tend to be overly critical of the text that appears on the computer screen.
I have severe dyslexia. Through using dictation I have completed chapter 1 of my first novel. It's a learning process but I'm determined to finish my book. Thanks for the great video
Fantastic :)
I am also struggling with writing my books as well. So far your video has been more helpful than the others that i have already watched. Thank you.
Glad you found it useful.
Thank you for this enlightening video! The fact that you’re articulate really helps to convey the process and the functionality of dictation. Because of your condition and well-read vocabulary I can easy to understand your tutorial. I’m sure your books must have the same sort of flow to them for the reader.
I notice so many typos occur when using ‘voice to text’ whether it’s for texting or trying to compose an email. I think it would drive an editor crazy to deal with having to do some corrections on spelling, not to mention: the worrisome fact that a few typos could mislead the editor and take the story line for that chapter in a completely wrong direction based on simply a few incorrect words.
I’ve been trying to write a first draft of a film screenplay over the course of several months and I found stumbling blocks. It’s fascinating to know that dictation might be the method that will make me more productive and efficient. I just hope it doesn’t become a crutch for me to rely on, because there’s a certain beauty in the pen, the flow of putting words on paper or typing on a classic typewriter.
Based on your advice and encouragement I will try using voice dictation with my writing during the next week.
I like the idea that you rented a small room, that’s a great use of those shared workspace is found in most major cities of the world. I’m a big believer in being more productive if I am outside of my own Home, partly so that I don’t have distractions of ringing phones or appliances in years or traffic noise from outside etc.
I remember when I was a teenager most public libraries had these little soundproof rooms with a typewriter and desk I think it was a coin operated typewriter like 25-cents an hour or something cheap and they even provided paper.
So yes I will try some of the dictation tools you mentioned. If that doesn’t work for me I’m going to go up to the attic and get out my old IBM Selectric typewriter and get some ink on paper… Finally!
I love this! Thank you for sharing. I've always been a "handwriting writer" and then I would transfer to the computer. Something about that process always seemed necessary to me for the creative process. I just assumed that dictation was not for me. But I never thought about the critic/self-editing that I do in between the thought in my head and the page. I am definitely going to try this! I can definitely speak faster than I write! :)
I'm referring to using a Dictaphone however for taking notes during editing, which is a little different from dictation when writing your actual manuscript. I use it to record notes, thoughts and any kind of brainstorming sessions. But I am definitely going to be trying actual dictation for my first draft in the future.
Thanks, Joanna! Very useful, especially if I see myself and my excuses pointed out right here in front of me, just as you say it. Also, making breaks (after full stop) I think makes a big difference since without it, I'd feel pressure I just need to talk, but with breaks, it's more controlled. Great video!
I made all those excuses myself :)
Thank you Joanna. This is very helpful, even inspiring.
Still need to try out dictation, I've been hearing so much about it recently!
It’s definitely big in the author community these days!
I have been doing dictation for years - but your video captures new thoughts on the subject (like recording device vs. real-time with the computer) and is faster for me to share with friends than me trying to tell them ;) . Most of the time I use MacOS out of the box and it works really well. Also, the Text-to-Speech option is excellent for self-editing. Thanks for sharing!
Glad it's useful for helping to explain to others :)
I've seen your face on the net before, but haven't really stopped to find out who you are until I found your youtube channel today. I'm hooked, especially on these dictation interviews you've got going.
Glad you like the vids :)
Thanks for this. Been using Dragon etc and Phillips Tracer.
Thank you so, so much, Joanna! I'm doing NaNoWriMo right now (my 8th year), with two days to do about 25K words to get to the 50K needed! LOL (Been a complicated November, this year, let me tell you!) So I thought I'd use my commute time today to dictate some words, and wondered if anyone online had advice on how to do that, and I found you! Thanks so much! Going to give it a try! And I'll check out your site for sure. Cheers! & Happy Holidays!
I love this video, I will write my book at night when everybody are sleep.
Totally useful. Many thanks.
Thank you Joanna! You are always helpful! I've been listening to "How to write non-fiction" (apologies if the title is wrong) on audible (love it!) and missed the part about dictation and how to actually do it. i was driving and didn't want to rewind! This video clarifies things. I have just seen both Pages and Word will enable a playback from Voice Recorder on iPhone and type away! Excellent! I've just been diagnosed with an inflammatory issue called Ankylosing Spondylitis affecting several joints and dictation will be perfectly suited to keep me on my writer path!
Great! A lot of authors with medical conditions help ease the pain with dictation. All the best!
English isn't my native language and my accent is easteuropean... It's so hard to edit it later on. Your video is very helpful and thank you for that I subscribed.
Glad to help!
You nailed why I've resisted trying. One of them is the secondary world fantasy thing. I know that eventually I'll be dictating in one form or another, but I need to experiment to find out how to make this work for me.
I know all the excuses as I’ve used them myself! I know fantasy writers use substitutions in the first draft.
You are a super teacher.
Thank you so much! I just started this 2019 my third non-fiction book, so I will definitely try voice-text. Today I tried using the voice recording option from the iPhone App "Notes" and is good so I will continue working other methods too. I do have 3 questions for you...
1.- Do you have a video talking about the new changes Amazon just made regarding Kindle and Create Space?
2.-I would like to buy a book from you but not sure if
How To Write Non-Fiction: Turn Your Knowledge Into Words (Books for Writers), because you have many options to choose from : )
3.-Are you still using the tools mentioned on your website? KDP Rocket and K-lytics? Looks similar...
Thank you again for your amazing content!
Glad you're enjoying using dictation :)
1) No, but basically, if you're starting out, just use KDP Print through the main Amazon KDP dashboard
2) if you're writing non-fiction, then yes, How to Write Non-Fiction will be useful :)
3) Yes, still using those tools
Happy writing!
Thank you Joanna. I have been thinking of doing this now. And..I have the same Sony recorder as you and it works wonderfully well for the oracle readings I do. Now to use it for writing dictation :)
Great! I hope it works well for you!
Great info, Joanna! Marvelous tips for all writers!
I’m a plot over thinker. Dictation reminds me of dragon speak tools for MS persons with hand problems. Anyway- I’m going to try it
bought the book because of this video
Thank you :) I hope it's useful!
You're a great speaker. Very succinct.
Thanks :)
Great video! I've used Dragon for ten years, but I haven't really used my digital voice recorder with the programme, even though it's compatible. After watching this, I'm going to have a go. Let's see if this old dog can learn some new tricks!
I just love being away from the screen. My inner critic relaxes!
Just discovered my voice recorder doesn't pause, which would be really useful! Which one do you use?
Thank you so much for sharing this information.
I'm really interested in this! I have a bone disease in my left wrist, but I have a goal to start a career writing fiction books. I've been doing all of my planning/outlining by hand because I'm so nervous that I won't be able to type all 90,000 words of this novel that I haven't touched my Scrivener Program on my laptop.
I hope this helps :)
HI Joanna:
First of all, I would like to thank you for the detailed explanation of the software ProWritingAid software. You were right, the program is simply fantastic. Now that I am listening to your dictation video, I would like to ask you if there is any way that I could transcribe my recording into the ProWritingAid somehow. Second, I would like to know how to install the Prowritingaid into the Scrivener. I am sorry I double-dipped on this media to ask you some of these questions. I thank you for helping writers like me become better at our craft. I love your accent. We here in America are accustomed to hearing rapid and shorten English. Keep up with the good job!
Thanks,
Dr. H. Vega
Here's my ProWritingAid tutorial - czcams.com/video/p2Qu20LWg38/video.html
For transcription, you need another tool though.
Thanks for this. I'll try it.
This is an amazing video. Thank you for creating and sharing. I am going to try dictation!
Thanks for this Joanna! I've started using Dragon for Mac (finally). And you're right. It feels awkward first. But I keep getting better :)
Definitely super awkward at the beginning - a bit like CZcams vids :) But you get used to it ...
What is your conversion accuracy - seems many reviewers are not happy with its accuracy?!
I was just thinking about trying this last night. The last time I used speech-to-text was in 2000 with dragon, but at the time it was very poor and quite primitive. Looking forward to trying this again xD
It has completely changed :)
This is such a great video! Personally, I'm still paying to have my work transcribed because then I can record on the fly and don't have to add any punctuation. There's a new service called Yumi that does it for 10 cents a minute so it's fairly affordable. It's all AI so not 100% accurate but I can just talk without trying to punctuate so it's a little less mentally taxing ... but does require some editing/revising afterwords.
That's a great workaround :) If you want to try punctuation, just start with period/ full stop and then do the rest in an edit.
Joanna, how much do you dictate before you go back and edit?
I am just learning Dragon. I check the text for accuracy as I go, meaning if I say, "Have an effervescent evening, with a dash of whimsy," and Dragon writes, "Have an ever vestment evening, with a clash of whimsy," I edit it right then and there, because I know where the mistakes are. If I had to go over the entire text, just to check for transcription errors, that would be a huge project. I would have forgotten where all the errors are. I would much rather do it bit by bit.
But I do not edit for anything else. Thank you much for your helpful videos, and I love your enthusiasm! 🥳
When I dictate, I do the whole session of dictation and then transcribe the whole batch and lightly edit separately.
What stops me is the transcription from the recording device to the computer. While I do agree that there is some reduction in time spent, it seems a bit more like adding a step. As a person who works in rehabilitation, I completely agree that sitting at the desk day in and day out is terrible for the body (shoulder impingement, sciatica, to name a few). Are there portable dictation programs for small devices like phones that can be uploaded in a larger program on the computer so that we don’t have to transcribe? That would make the cost more justifiable. Thanks Joanna!
You could use Otter.ai for the phone version or Dragon Anywhere as an option.
I dictated a couple of stories on my MAC last year, but then I got busy with a couple of videography projects and didn't finish. I am looking forward to getting back to those stories. Dictation definitely does speed up the first draft. I'll have to see how the editing process goes. Excellent video! :-)
The editing is tough at first but as you get used to it, it gets easier!
Wow! You wrote Map of Shadows? I came across that book, as I remember the design, and NOW I remember seeing your name too! I'm non-fiction writer, so don't read much fiction. I remember that book though! I think it was at my local library. Wow! I've been subscribed to a NY times BEST selling Author and didn't connect the dots until just now!
I've been thinking most recently how i can turn non-fiction stories into fiction. This will make the writing experience more fun, and certainly more creative too doesn't it? You're very inspiring, and motivating! I have NO DOUBT you will reach your goals! I really like how you covered all the excuses made when it comes to dictation. I too have physical limitations which also hinders my ability to actually sit and write for long periods of time. I made excuses ... not wanting to speak punctuation. Thank you for being YOU, and working so hard to get thru all the obstacles. AND for sharing all the excuses. Your bubbly bright and candid personality is motivating. I cannot believe you ever had trouble thinking yourself as a creative author. That's amazing! You're amazing. Thank you!
Thanks :) Glad you're finding things useful
A good idea, but no use to me: I can't afford having a typist type out my sound files. Transcribing by hand takes eternity. And I tend to create new compound words (I write in German) which automatic transcription doesn't recognize. I'd have to edit everything immediately or risk forgetting what I meant.
Thnak you , it very helpful
I strongly agree with you. I write better via dictating than typing.
I've started to use dictation on Google docs - quite accurately and completely free...I haven't tried it on the move though
Great :) There are lots of options these days as speech to text becomes even more popular
I have a MacBook and I need one of these to record for my Book still writing it. How do I get the google dictation?
Great idea. Thank you for that Amanda.
@@LisaPittman42 Just open Google docs and start a new document. Then you click the "tool" menu and you will see a voice recorder. Go ahead and clik that and hit record and you are good to go. Plus if you hit "translate" in the Google docs menu and pick your language, it will translate it automatically into that language.
Thank you!
Thank you! That was useful to me.
great video thanks, i'll have to try it :)
I’m going to use voice memo on my iPhone and then use that to dictate onto a word document
The reason I want to dictate is that I have Carpal Tunnel in both arms, and arthritis in both hands. I did use to dictate, but I stopped. so I have to re-learn the skill.
Very good reason to get back into it!
Hi! I thank you! For these info, I'm glad this program have been created. Where can I by it or how can I get this program? Please.
I presume you mean Dragon? Just google Nuance Dragon or search Dragon Anywhere on your mobile app store
I was contemplating the idea of dictating a book when I came across your video. Very informative. Thank you for sharing your experience. The ability to move around and process out my book verbally is much more appealing then being stuck sitting in front of a computer. I defiantly want to learn more about the process; question if I'm using a Chromebook would I still be able to upload my audio from speech to text?
I don't have a chromebook so you will need to just test it out - but google has a lot of in-built dictation now. My Mum uses it on Google Docs
I use voice dictation because of my vision impairment
Ah, now a dictaphone is a good idea. I've tried the dictation function on googledocs but got fed up with having to restart it every time I paused for more than three seconds to think and it timed out. I think I might buy a dictaphone and give it a go. What's the worst that could happen?
Exactly and they are really cheap
Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately, I cannot find the video you speak of. There are many Scott Baker videos but none that mentioned difficult words.
Joanna, I find dictation something wonderful and it's made my writing so much easier. However, nowadays I find that writing normally makes me feel horrible because my dictation speed was so much easier. The words seem to flow better, too, but I can't find time (or space) to write (ahem, dictate) without people looking at me funny. I suppose waking up earlier is the option, but what do you do if you can't hire a room?
I personally go for a walk outside. After a few days, my neighbors stopped looking at me weird for it. :) Or I find a quiet spot outside and sit to dictate away from people.
Sit in a car??
Hi! I'm getting ready to do my first book (total non-writer) and I really like the idea of the Sony Dictaphone. How do you convert the audio to text?
You have to use some kind of speech to text tool e.g. descript or otter.ai or Dragon or there are lots, just google "speech to text"
Can I dictate into the phone (audio record) and then let Dragon listen to my recorded dictation? Will it work? Sorry, too lazy to try it myself 🤣 🤣 🤣
Yes, that's transcription mode - you upload an mp3 file into dragon. Or you could just use Dragon Anywhere or another app on your phone. There are plenty that transcribe as you speak.
You inspired me to try dictation
Fantastic - I hope it goes well :)
What dictaphone do you use and then does it transcribe into a software program like dragon?
You can find notes and links here - www.thecreativepenn.com/how-to-dictate-your-book/
Im doing this! What version of Sony dictaphone do you use? I have to get away from the computer. I know it will increase my speed. Sitting is the new smoking. 🐒
I'm using Sony ICD-PX333 - amzn.to/2H4I9CW - all the details on this page - www.thecreativepenn.com/how-to-dictate-your-book/
Thank you Joanna! I went to your blog and found all kinds of stuff for this. Definitelyy a way forward!
Im using my iphone with airpods and it works really good, but it stops after a minute of dictate. Does anybody know an app that stops this ?
I don't know if you monitor this vid, Joanna. I hope so. You say in answer to a point made below " I only use the transcription module now, which transcribes the mp3 into .txt file." I need to learn to dictate my books because of arthritis in my hands. Can you explain - it will have to be in one syllable words, LOL - exactly how you get the dictated material from your Sony machine onto your computer and then how it is transcribed into a .txt files, please?
I just plug in the Sony machine to my laptop and then transfer the files into Dragon Dictate. But now I'd probably recommend you just use a phone app and then you don't have to transfer anything. Dragon Anywhere is a mobile app, and I have just started using Just Press Record. There are lots of apps so have a search for one that works for you :)
im want to write a book , I'm spritless , when I'm thought about English language , I'm dis appointed, please suggest me what I do.
Wonderful vlog! I noticed in your notes you use Dragon for Mac. I’ve considered investing in the Mac version of Dragon because I have Scrivener on my Mac and I hope to one day purchase Vellum. However, the reviews for Dragon Mac are discouraging. What has been your experience with Dragon for Mac? When you upload the MP3 file into your Mac do you upload it into Word then into Scrivener or Scrivener directly?
I've never had any issues with the Mac version. I only use the transcription module now, which transcribes the mp3 into .txt file and then I copy and paste that into Scrivener.
I just noticed you replied! Thank you Joanna! I’m convinced about Dragon. Do you have an affiliate link?
Thank you for this information. I'm dyslexic and have written about lost of subjects in my own way and always wanted to write them in a book or books and a friend told me about dictation writing for me. will this help me write my own book.and is there any more advice for people with dyslexia waiting to write a book, because at the moment it's only me that can understand what iv written and if you have patience 😂 And yes I voice this message 😂😂😅thank please have a good day
Great! Glad to help!
I would love to use dictation but I have a problem because you have to also dictate punctuation and that really distracts me from the core of my story. Also, I find that Dragon does not always recognize my words and I spend a boatload of time haveing to correct and try to get the words into the dictionary. Because of this, I have not been using the dictation method. Do you have any advice for this?
You can just use 'full stop' or 'period' as the only punctuation. Add in the rest later. That's basically what I do. You will always have to do a light edit. See Scott's video on Training your Dragon in the playlist for the difficult words
Are you still using dictation for your 1st drafts?
Sometimes. It depends on the book, or the section of the book.
I often use transcripts for my non-fiction - e.g. from talks I've done, or courses - and for fiction, I use dictation for scenes when I know what is happening. I want to use it more in 2023 now the AI transcription tools like Otter.ai and others are much better so it's cheaper and easier to do.
Are you still using Dragon or have you switched to free @Google voice recognition?
As of July 2020, I am still using Dragon :)
How do you get the material from the Dictaphone to word?
I use Dragon Dictate but there are lots of software options. Most computers have some form of speech to text software now.
Thanks
Why not dictate using your microphone into your device like i do. No need to use a dictation software programme.
It's not the dictation that is the issue, it's the transcription and if you don't have a clear American English voice, many of the free apps are not great. Even with my British accent, the free ones are not as good as Dragon. They are getting better though.
The two things that stop me are a) price , the cheap options don't work and the decent ones are expensive .. I havent got 279 quid to drop on dragon (or more accurately there are better things to spend that money on in the writing space ... like editing or marketing) and b) I like to write listening to music (or to your podcasts)
I've actually been dictating while playing rain and thunderstorms in my ears - helps get rid of the inner critic :) But I hear you on price. I am investing in health more than anything (she says while typing!)
I tend to sing along, not to mention the furry interupter, If I tried this at the moment it would go along the lines of "Dusty ducked into the cover of the engine block, and thumbed more rounds into the mag... [singing] I come from down in the valley where mister when your young [/singing] Sit down Max. Feet shuffled closer , two, no three. I said sit down you furry expletive " and so on
Many of the reviews of Dragon are not favorable - what is your overall conversion accuracy from your audio file? I find the built-in MacOS Voice to text is quite good and it has the added advantage of allowing me to type and talk at the same time.
My friend, I brought Dragon and realised it was a waste of money. Not only was it not accurate, it took long to set up. Soon after that I realised you can dictate with your phone. I use Whatsapp. I go to my own Whatsapp file the one with my name (you should have it too), tap into it, press the little microphone in the keypad then start talking. you can share this to your email or if you have Whatsapp on PC just copy and paste onto word doc. Having said that you can do this on anything that show the little microphone i.e. FB, Twitter, etc.... And lastly, its very accurate and free! :)
@@booksandauthorsindependenttv Thanks for this tip
It’s hard to speak fluent when it soon comes to your head.
You do have to clean it up in edits :)
I have carpal tunnel, so....
If dictation, then I should be a preacher not a writer. A writer types. Period.
Ju Mor What about writers who use a pen or pencil?
Have you tried? What about all the famous authors and professionals (such as lawyers) who dictate ?
I spent listening to over half of this video and the presenter hasn’t ever started to talk about dictating a subject 🙈😳
Wrong. She’s talking about dictating from the very start.