From KMW: I’ve at all times beloved writing by hand. There’s one thing concerning the really feel of pen on paper that simply makes the inventive course of click on for me, particularly when outlining and brainstorming. Nevertheless, between the wrist ache, unhealthy posture, and the truth that I can’t learn my very own handwriting half the time, I’ll admit there are specific downsides—simply as there are to typing. I’ve dabbled with dictation on and off over time, however I at all times hit the identical wall: it simply didn’t really feel like “actual” writing. If I wasn’t typing or scribbling, was I really creating?

However as I learn Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer’s visitor publish this week, I needed to rethink {that a} bit. She breaks down among the myths and psychological roadblocks round dictating fiction in such a grounded, compassionate means that it made me understand one thing type of apparent (but additionally type of profound): storytelling was initially oral. We had voices and listeners lengthy earlier than we had keyboards or pens!

So in case you’ve ever felt interested in dictation however haven’t been certain the place to start out (or, like me, have gotten annoyed after attempting it), I believe you’ll discover Sarah’s method refreshing. She’s been the place you’re, and she or he’s mapped out a path ahead that’s each sensible and inspiring. Take pleasure in!

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Have you ever ever examine an creator who dictates 5,000+ phrases whereas taking a stroll and thought to your self, “If dictation is so wonderful, why isn’t everybody doing it?”

Perhaps you’ve tried dictation. You opened a voice app, began speaking, and… froze. It felt awkward. Disjointed. The transcription was a large number.

After working with tons of of authors making the transition from typing to talking their phrases of fiction, I do know this story effectively. It was my story once I first tried dictation. And failed. Time and again.

Dictation is among the most misunderstood instruments for authors, but one with potential for highly effective transformation in your creator life.

In This Article:

4 Myths About Utilizing Dictation to Write Fiction

As somebody who has dictated 14 books and skilled tons of of authors in how you can dictate fiction, I wish to say this: dictation isn’t a magic shortcut that may resolve all of your writing challenges. However it tackles an excellent a lot of them.

And dictation can completely be realized, simply as you realized how you can handwrite and kind. I would like you to get there with out getting overwhelmed.

Let’s begin by eliminating frequent myths round dictating fiction.

Fantasy #1: Dictation = Speaking Quick = Writing Quick

When you consider dictation, velocity might be the very first thing that involves thoughts. Pace is what drew me and numerous authors to offer it a shot.

Dictation will help you draft quicker. I doubled my writing velocity from 1,500 phrases of fiction per hour to three,000 phrases, and with much less pressure on my physique.

However while you solely see dictation as a method to supercharge your productiveness, you would possibly expertise frustration and even disappointment earlier than you’ve skilled your self to do it effectively.

Dictation isn’t a race to talk as quick as you may. I discuss slower when dictating fiction than once I’m having a dialog.

If you end up slowing all the way down to dictate, that’s regular. The truth is, I encourage it. Take your time. Pause. Breathe. If you’re prepared, sort out the subsequent sentence.

Pace will include follow.

However dictation isn’t simply writing quicker. There are well being advantages since dictation frees you out of your desk.

It will probably additionally allow you to break via psychological blocks round your plot, develop higher dialogue, and get phrases squeezed into the little areas of life: doing the dishes, sitting within the automobile pool line, or strolling the canine.

Whereas dictation can result in quicker drafts, I’ve seen these different advantages outweigh velocity.

Fantasy #2: “I Tried Dictation, It’s Simply Not for Me.”

That is the one I hear most. It was the parable that held me again for years.

Perhaps you tried dictation whereas strolling. Otherwise you spoke your story into your telephone one morning and felt utterly disconnected from the phrases. Perhaps the transcription got here again such a large number, you determined it wasn’t definitely worth the trouble.

I hear you. My first shot at dictation, I assumed I used to be on to one thing. In 2013, I posted on social media how I dictated a number of phrases of fiction, and the way it might be epic. And it was.

An epic failure.

I couldn’t get previous the psychological and technical hurdles of talking my phrases as a substitute of typing.

I went via all of it: looking at a clean display screen with an equally clean creativeness. I stumbled over phrases, dreaded listening to my voice, and had no concept how you can clear up my transcriptions.

I didn’t know what I used to be doing and made a large number of all the things.

Dictation simply wasn’t for me.

However then I noticed one thing: I wanted to coach myself to dictate similar to I skilled myself how you can kind. It is advisable dig new neural trenches in your mind to permit the phrases to stream via your mouth as naturally as your fingertips.

I got here again to dictation in 2020. I launched the stress on my mind to dictate fiction. I began working towards by dictating my morning pages and textual content messages. Then I experimented with apps and strategies till I discovered what labored for me. I ended anticipating it to right away “really feel proper.”

Slowly, it began to work. I discovered my rhythm. I dictated a full (backstory) scene. Then a full chapter. Then a full novel.

Now, dictation is how I write my first drafts. I write quicker and benefit from the course of of making fiction much more than once I typed (rather more enjoyment via the “muddy center” of a primary draft the place I at all times received caught when typing).

Fantasy #3: You Want Fancy Software program or Tools

Again within the day, your solely choice to dictate fiction was to rent a personal secretary or transcriptionist at tons of or 1000’s of {dollars} per novel. Then it turned extra inexpensive with the doorway of Dragon Dictation at below $1,000 for limitless novels.

I’ve by no means used Dragon to dictate my novels.

These days, you don’t want costly software program to start out. You seemingly already personal what it’s good to dictate fiction at little to no price:

• A smartphone or pc
• A free transcription service (the one constructed into your machine works simply fantastic)
• A quiet house (elective, however useful)

Sure, there are different instruments and strategies on the market (I dictate on my telephone straight into my Scrivener iOS app. You may get a free mini-course on my strategies right here.). However while you’re beginning out, I discovered it’s finest to maintain it easy. The truth is, including an excessive amount of tech too quickly is among the quickest methods to get overwhelmed.

Begin simple. Get comfy with the texture of talking phrases and having them transcribed. As soon as that’s second nature, you may develop strategies and experiment with instruments that suit your course of and way of life.

Fantasy #4: Dictated Drafts Are Too Messy to Be Price It

Sure, dictated drafts are messy.

However so are most first drafts.

I’ve developed a cleanup course of that’s quick and will get my dictated drafts studying in addition to a typed first draft. It’s nonetheless a large number to take care of within the enhancing section, however I’m beginning with the identical kind of messy first draft.

Dictation helps you let go of perfectionism and get your messy first draft on the web page so you may edit it later. If you kind, it’s simple to backspace, rewrite, and tweak each sentence endlessly. Dictation makes that more durable, which helps you get to “the top.”

As an alternative of enhancing as you go, dictation invitations you to get the story out of your head and onto the web page. The refinement comes later, throughout revision.

The right way to Get Began with Dictating (Even If You’ve Failed Earlier than)

After working with tons of of authors on making the transition from typing to talking their phrases, I’ve discovered three keys that make all of the distinction:

1. Embrace the Discomfort

Dictating fiction will really feel awkward. Because the signal over my desk says, “I do know I’m in my very own little world, however all of them know me right here.”

To talk “their” worlds out loud feels extra weak than typing. A minimum of at first.

However bear in mind, discomfort is an indication of development. It’s an indication of studying. Lean into that feeling, figuring out that’s what’s going to get you to the opposite aspect in creating the talent of dictating your fiction.

Give your self permission to be a newbie.

2. Begin With Low-Stakes Scenes

As an alternative of launching into dictation in the midst of your present work-in-progress (WIP), take away the stress out of your mind by selecting a scene you may write with a well-recognized character’s backstory. Have enjoyable with it. Let your creativeness run free whilst you communicate your phrases.

It might come out wanting extra like a scene define than an precise scene. That’s okay. You’re coaching your self to talk fiction as a substitute of typing it.

All the pieces is progress.

3. Set a Timer

I’ve an influence behavior I name 5 Minutes of Fiction. This helped me get again into writing after a restoration sabbatical I took in recent times.

As I’ve taught this behavior, writers have shared with me the way it’s serving to them follow dictation. The primary concept is that you just dictate for simply 5 minutes every single day.

It may be on a “throwaway” story, backstory, flash fiction, or your present WIP. Set a timer or verify the clock earlier than you begin, and solely go for five minutes. Don’t decide what you wrote. Simply transfer on together with your day (which can be typing the remainder of the phrases to your writing session).

I created the 5-Minute Fictation™ Membership for authors to sort out this behavior collectively.

When you begin, you’ll be shocked at how assured you start to really feel every time you do your 5 minutes.

The Subsequent Step: Making Dictation Easy

I’m an enormous fan of discovering methods to make issues simpler and extra enjoyable. Easy.

That’s a part of what dictation has executed for my creator life, together with a number of different advantages. It’s why I’ve developed methods to make studying dictation as easy for you as potential.

Should you’ve tried dictation and failed, or in case you’ve needed to attempt however felt overwhelmed, I’ve created one thing for you: a free Dictation Fast Begin Information for Fiction Authors designed that can assist you take your first steps in dictating your fiction.

Obtain it (free) right here.

As one creator instructed me,

Dictation can free you.

Let it free you to dwell your finest inventive way of life.

In Abstract

Dictating fiction isn’t a magic repair, however it’s a learnable talent that may remodel your writing course of by boosting your phrase depend and releasing you out of your desk. Should you’ve tried dictation and felt awkward or overwhelmed, you’re not alone and also you’re not doomed to fail. With the proper expectations, a simplified method, and a little bit of persistence, you may develop your individual voice (actually) and uncover a writing methodology that works together with your way of life as a substitute of towards it.

Key Takeaways

• Dictation isn’t nearly velocity. It will probably enhance your well being, productiveness, and even creativity.
• Preliminary discomfort is regular. Like every writing talent, dictation requires follow to really feel pure.
• You don’t want fancy instruments. A smartphone and primary transcription software program are sufficient to start out.
• Messy drafts are a part of the method. Dictation helps you overcome perfectionism and get phrases on the web page.
• Ease into it. Begin with low-stakes scenes (like backstory) and brief 5-minute periods to construct confidence.
• Coaching your mind to talk fiction is feasible. Dictation is a talent anybody can be taught with the proper method.

Wordplayers, inform me your opinions! Have you ever ever attempting dictating your fiction? Does it sound useful? Inform us within the feedback!