Yes, I am writing another post on dictation, but you'll soon get over it. Especially after you read what I have to say. Dictation has been a lifesaver for me. That might be a little bit dramatic, but it has definitely been helpful, and continues to be so. Therefore I will take this post as an opportunity to talk a bit more about my dictation journey — in the hope that it helps you in some way (anyone out there), and maybe even encourage you to try out dictation in a way that helps you. At the very least, if you enjoy what you are reading then I consider my job well done. Anyway, back to business.
What is dictation?
Though there are several methods that you can use to dictate your work the general process is using your voice to write, instead of typing by hand. A great opportunity to get the words down, whilst sipping a cup of tea (I think that rhymed, but then again it depends how you read it). As I have said, there are several ways of dictating your work — so it very much depends on which method suits you and your needs best. For example, I use dictation as a way of reducing RSI, and general strain on my body and back. As well as the added bonus of being able to reach my word count goal for the day much quicker than I would typing.
Due to my physical disability my typing can only be so fast, and it is considered slower than that of an average person. So it only makes sense to try dictation. I tried, and have not stopped.
Transcription
Put simply, transcription dictation is the idea of speaking into a dictaphone, recording what you say, and then sending off the audio recording for somebody else to then transcribe. Putting your voice into written text. These words can be used for whatever project you're working on.
I would suggest that if you are going to use this type of dictation, that you use it for longer projects as transcription can cost a lot. These services tend to charge per minute. Again, it depends on your needs and what you can afford. If you are writing a book, for example, the time spent recording would soon rack up. I would suggest sending off several smaller files. Either that, or you could simply use a dictaphone to record ideas quickly, and develop them by other means later.
Scribing
This is very similar to transcription. So similar, in fact, I'm not entirely sure whether they wouldn't come under the same term. ‘Scribing’ is a way of distinguishing between the two.
The process involves talking to someone — and then they write down your thoughts as you say them. The difference is that you're in the same room, and it's all happening in real time. Whereas transcription is recording the audio, somebody transcribing it, and then sending it back to you. Whenever I think of this, I think of Agatha Christie or Winston Churchill.
Voice-to-text dictation
This is the type of dictation that I use, and it makes me really excited. As I mentioned before, I tried it one day, and it has increasingly become a larger part of my writing routine.
I use it to write almost anything that I can, because I enjoy it so much. So that could be anything from an email, to writing a full on novel. In fact, I am dictating the draft of what you are reading whilst staring out into the garden. As with all dictation, the words are being transcribed as they are being spoken — in my case with Google Docs voice typing — which is turning what I say into digital text.
From my knowledge, the average person speaks 130 words per minute, and can type about 90 words per minute — if they are good. Just from these statistics, you can see how much voice dictation — every kind of dictation — speeds up the writing process.
As you read this, I am trying out a new headset. I bought them to enhance my dictation process. I’m already finding it easier. It allows me to relax into my dictation. I have been dictating for less than ten minutes, and the document is coming up towards 700 words. It's very exciting because the quicker I finish the first draft of this blog, the quicker I can get to editing. The quicker I can get editing, the quicker I can get to preparing the post to be published.
What are some of the benefits of dictation?
Getting a lot of words down very quickly
There is much less strain on your body
More focused on the creative side of writing or communicating; less focused on the physical act of typing
What are some of the drawbacks?
The editing process is longer, because the software doesn't always pick up the words correctly, and we don't write how we speak
It can be expensive — depending on how you choose to dictate, and whether you use any specialist software
Dictation can be very embarrassing, at first
Long periods of dictation can give you a sore throat — though that can be quickly remedied with a glass of water
Give dictation a chance
The reason I say this is because dictation — voice-to-text, or otherwise — is such a different process physically and mentally. It can take time to adjust. So trying it for five minutes and then deciding it isn't for you, isn't enough. You need to try it in different circumstances; try writing an email, try it whilst typing your texts to your family. Then, try it on a longer piece, if you know that the process is for you.
I only got a proper headset when I realised that dictating from my phone was effective for me. I knew that the process was going to enhance my writing process, and therefore, I had to streamline the process to be as comfortable as possible.
Getting used to your voice
Another point to mention is the fact that nobody feels comfortable listening to their voice, or thinking about the idea that they are effectively talking to themselves. Not liking listening to your voice is a universal experience. Our perception of it is different in our heads, compared to how it sounds through the air. Due to this, I encourage you to find some freedom in the fact that everybody feels uncomfortable. So, in a way, the feeling uncomfortable could make you feel more comfortable — as bizarre as that might sound. Quite frankly, if anybody takes any notice of you talking to yourself, they will likely disregard it within seconds. Humans are generally concerned for themselves.
Isn't the fear worth cranking out your next best selling novel, or being able to better articulate your thoughts on the page. So it's going to take time to get used to how best you dictate — and getting used to listening to your voice.
Another thing worth mentioning is that, if you are voice-to-text dictating, you do have to verbally insert punctuation as and when you need it. However, doing this as I go along restricts me mentally and creatively — so I tend to dictate completely ignoring the punctuation, and then editing it later on. This does mean that the text comes out as one big block of text, but it also means that you get all the words down, and you have more freedom to mould the words so that they convey accurately the intended meaning.
An outline is necessary
This last point is quite ironic, given the fact that I have literally started writing this post without any outline whatsoever; I was so excited to use this new headset. The structure and process I was going to go through to write this was ready to go in my head. Nonetheless, an outline is very important in putting together this structure. If you forget what you're trying to say as you're going along, you can refresh yourself and catch yourself back up. I really had a strong grasp on what this post was going to look like. Even if the first draft of this blog is diabolical, then there is always the editing process to fall back on. On the other hand, dictation does make the editing process longer, and more complex, so it always helps if you do actually enjoy the process.
An outline can help streamline the whole writing process — not just dictation — because there is more direction. It can make the editing process more smooth than it would have been.
If I were to write an outline for this post, for example, dictation would be the main theme — and then I would divide the concept into sections, which would then become my subheadings. Underneath these headings, I would have three or four bullet points summarising what I want to say. If nothing else, an outline gives you the extra confidence of knowing what you want to write about. Then I can just get on with it, further streamlining the process, as I alluded to earlier.
Now that I've described my experience a bit more, the next step is for you to give it a go — but what software do you use?
If it is the first time you've ever used dictation, I wouldn't use anything more than your mobile phone. There are free dictation options on both Apple and Android phones — so try sending an email or text to a friend and see how it goes. Note how comfortable you feel, how much quicker it is. And then slowly build it up if it feels right to you. Like I said, it is going to take time to get used to dictation because it is such a different way of working. I would keep going with it for at least a few weeks.
If you find that dictation is your thing, and you are starting to use it more, then Google Docs has a voice typing feature — as does Microsoft Word, and other word processors. I would particularly recommend using the likes of your computer dictation software if you are going to be writing longer pieces.
As with anything in life, there are many options to upgrade your process, if you like, to make things easier for you. As a base, I would recommend starting with these ideas, and then you can build upon your process — and decide whether upgrading your process is necessary.
If nothing else, I implore you to give dictation a try. You never know where it might take you. I'm hoping that the joy and shock from discovering how useful this process is in boosting your word output will outweigh the potential barriers described above. By reading this, you have made your day so much better. Good luck!
If you would like to read my previous posts on the topic of dictation, here they are:
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