I recently bought some dictation software. It’s supposed to translate everything I say into a microphone into words on the screen. I’d heard that it can be a helpful tool. Some authors swear that it helps them write faster. Others use it because of carpal tunnel problems and other ailments. I can relate to that. When I’m writing a book, my forearms get to be as powerful as a major-league slugger’s. And let’s face it, the technology is cool and fun to play with.
But I’m not so sure this is going to work for me. Why? I must mumble or slur or something, because here are some hilarious examples of how my sentences are turning out.
Spoken: “Not as short as you like to think.”
Written: “None assurance you like to thing.”
Spoken: “It sent a hot shiver across her skin.”
Written: “It sent this hot sugar through hers kin.”
Spoken: I think it was, “She let out a sigh that emptied the breath caught in the base of her lungs.” (Definitely a first draft sentence.)
Written: “She let out a sigh that emptied the breath that it caught in the base of her lines.”
Spoken: “They’d been in lust ever since they’d first clapped eyes on one another.”
Written: “They been in was ever sensate first clapped eyes on one another.”
Spoken: “She ran her fingertips over the table.”
Written: “She ran her anger tips over the table.” Anger tips? Hahahaha
And my favorite…
Spoken: “He brushed a curl away from her face and tucked it behind her ear.”
Written: “Eucharist Caroli from her face behind her ear.”
Obviously, I need to enunciate. I’ll admit that the software is learning and getting better, but I’m getting frustrated. As you can see above, it can be funny reading things back, but I have to watch each sentence carefully. I’m spending more time correcting than writing, and even that’s an adventure. I think it could be a helpful tool. Maybe I’ll use the keyboard some days (like today) and talk on others. One unexpected consequence – my forearms feel better, but my voice is hoarse.
Plus, I don’t know how much more my “anger tips” can take!