Using dictation to write fiction

Using Dictation to Write Fiction

Using a  dictation software program has changed the way I
write.

 I read once that Charles Dickens used to dictate his books to a rotating team of secretaries and then edited them afterwards. 

Having a secretary at your disposal would be nice but nowadays I do well using Dragon Naturally Speaking. I have it on three computers. It's one of my obsessions to always have a backup to a backup so that's why the number three. 

Why do I use dictation? I use it because it's so much faster and when I'm dictating I
can just get into the story and not have to worry about typing it out.

 

Did I mention I'm a slow typist. 

Since I started dictating everything changed. I can do so much more work and without any strain. That's one of the other problems with typing you can leave yourself at risk of developing repetitive stress injuries.
That's no fun. 

With dictation it's a different story. I use dictation in two
different ways.. I use transcription because it lets me move around when I'm
creating a recording on my digital recorder. I then transcribe that recording
but I'm not satisfied with typing out the corrections. I also use dictation to
to make the edits. 

I use an AT20 microphone and then with a laptop with a big
screen I make corrections of the document as I read through it. It's quite fast
and accurate. It basically makes my process all hands-off. 

All I can say is I no longer feel envious of Charles Dickens that's for sure.