I dont know if the app "write or die" is still available for computer but it is really motivating for sprints, especially if you turn off the backspace button.
I think people often assume fast writing = bad writing, which is not necessarily the case. Some of my best writing happens when I'm in the groove and typing as fast as I can - usually in action scenes when the adrenaline is flowing! Other scenes need to be taken slowly because I'm juggling two or more characters' motivations and personalities and simultaneously trying to steer the conversation in a particular direction in order to bring the scene to its desired conclusion. So my tip would be - don't expect your writing speed to be consistent, even with practice, because you're not a machine! :)
@@annelyle5474 totally agree Anne. I don't think you can really judge what works because we are all so different. When I'm in the groove and writing fast, I think my writing gets better but the overall process of creating a book takes me longer than some others because I spend a lot of time on plotting. Everyone has their own pace so it's impossible to really say fast or slow is better. The key is to just do you.
❤️Here's the list for people who want a quick summary, Thanks for the great content! 1. Plan & visualize your story before you start writing 2. Embrace your flow & let go of perfectionism 3. Use word sprints - the pomodoro technique with no distractions - find out your sweet 4. Eliminate all distractions 5. Break out of rountine - Experiment with different locations and times of day 6. Improve typing skills - find games to help you type faster 7. Use programs like dragon to dictate your words 8. Be consistent ❤️ if you're just starting on your journey as an authorpreneur I'd love to connect with you as I'm just getting started sharing myself on UA-cam. 😄 Also Heartfelt breathings you're one of the many awesometacular creator's that continues to inspire me to start my own UA-cam channel so thank you for your inspirational commitment😊 ❤️❤️😄👍👏
Writing sprints and letting go of choosing the 'perfect words' really helped me write faster. It also made a lot of my dialogue more natural because I wasn't thinking so hard about being clever. :)
I love your simplicity and honesty. The way you seem so ethical about writing and life in general. Your videos are always enjoyable and inspiring. They always help me envisioning my self writing the next book and getting into the mood for that. Thank you for your humbleness and thruthness.
I write my book faster by putting on one of your videos! When I start to procrastinate, I go to Heartbeatings! I find the following: any video of yours entitled "How to Edit your Novel," is the best; Outlining Your Novel is also cool as well. Sometimes, just seeing you work (with the sound off) can be helpful. Within 15 minutes, I begin to sit at my own desk and then "zone" into my own work. During break time, if I am doing a non-writing activity, such as cleaning up my office, folding laundry -- etc. I turn on your sound to remind myself that I have to get back to my writing desk. Finally, I encourage everyone to become familiar with your task blocks system. I carry this "grid" in my head to help me manage my time. Thanks Sarra for making your work accessible and very affordable! (i.e. How you don't charge for any of your downloads!)
I love the caveat at the beginning. I could never pump out a good book in a month, though that’s what so many authors are being advised to do. One of many reasons you’re awesome :)
We all go at our own pace, and it's the perfect pace for us! Always good to improve, but never good to beat ourselves up or go behind our own personal limits. Thank you for commenting!
I needed that part too. I have been working on my book hard core for 6 months and am only in my first round of edits where as a friend of mine only took 5 months from writing the first word to publishing. I know it's fine that I work at the speed I do but it's also nice to be reminded it's ok :).
I'm a new (aspiring) writer currently in the early stages of writing my first book and I tried the 'eliminate distractions' tip. I turned all the volumes down on my phone but I could still see the notifications, text messages and phone calls pop up on the screen and ended up having to shut my phone off completely and turn the screen over so I wouldn't be tempted to reach for it. But that tip actually did work for me.
I found that turning my phone over (so the screen is face down) is one of the top/key puzzle pieces for my productivity. I keep the sound off all the time anyway, but no longer seeing the screen light up in from any corner of my eyes was a game changer when I did/realized that!
I'm looking forward to your editing series. I'm currently reading through my manuscript trying to find scenes I haven't written yet, and looking for things I know aren't correct (like names of really minor characters), but I'll be ready for editing hopefully sooner than later. :-)
I watched this several times because I was taking notes and kept skipping over tips! As someone in the comments from your live video from yesterday said, "I am a plantser!" Tip #1: 4:27 Tip #2: 7:38 Tip #3: 9:52 Tip #4: 12:30 Tip #5: 14:23 Tip #6: 17:28 Tip #7: 19:15 Tip #8: 21:57
I learned from Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing when I was 10. I had a typing speed of 15 WPM at 14 years old. Then 40 WPM at 16-17. Then 80 WPM at age 18. I mostly practiced at age 10 and 18. It's all about muscle memory. Mavis shows you opaque hands that teach you where to put your fingers. Typing speed isn't an issue for me but I have creative burnout. I know what I'm going to write as a manager but I get tired after writing 500-1000 words at a time.
I use dictation once daily and typing sprints as well. Tip for dictation: try a couple of takes on the same dictation scene. The second one is usually more robust.
Thank you for your wonderful videos! I’m older than you and working on getting out of my daytime rut. Changing careers at 52 isn’t easy. Old habits die hard when you’ve doing them for 30+ years. Your advice on routines and consistency is so practical and helpful.
Gwyn, I’m your age (or very close) and working on my first novel. It’s nice to know I’m not the only one changing gears over 50.What’s your preferred genre?
Thank you so much for your advice 😊. I just found out 2 months ago that I want to be a writer and I already started writing but yes lol sometimes I'm stuck and the over thinking gets me tired lol. I'm using word right now anyways congratulations 👏 🎉 to your new place and your baby .
My personal tip is something that Jessica Brody turned me on to via one of her classes. You can listen to brain entrainment or brain waves made for creativity. There is a really good one here on youtube. (the thumbnail is wadded paper in several colors in a row and a lit light bulb in the center) When I use it I get about 1000 words per 45 mins.
Oh, this is a great tip! (and I love Jessica Brody!) I used to listen to brain.fm, but I stopped. I should get back to it, as it really does help with focus!!! Thank you so much for a great tip!
@@HeartBreathings I have found that brain entrainment works for all kinds of things. And if my kids are being loud when they're playing, popping my ear buds in and listening to something like that helps drown out the excess sound so much.
hey, big thanks for this! Great tips, I am going to use them today for writing. And special thanks for that bit in the intro about quality and quantity, individual differences and and who one should compare themselves to. I am a novice and I write super slow, that is why I never considered writing seriously before. But I'm told the outcome is great and I actually write well. So now I am trying to improve my writing speed.
Both MAC and PC have built-in software for dictation. It's not easy to find, but it there for free, and it's Dragon software. Do a search to figure out how to get to the software for your computer.
Just found this via a comment on another channel. Hands down this is the best writing advice I've seen on UA-cam regarding writing speed. Easy to follow practical tips. Thank you! ❤
**Writing speed and rapid-release stuff** I love that you bring up the issue of writing advice about rapid-releases and how that and writing faster are pushed as solutions to becoming better known (potentially at the expense of quality). Thankfully those I've talked to about rapid-releases and writing faster don't do it at the expense of quality :) One of my own goals (I'm in the final stages of a 5 book rapid release project) is never to sacrifice quality for speed; this five book series rapid-release launch has meant I've not published anything since 2016 and I'm OK with that. I've put in the time and my best effort to ensure I do my best quality before I let the series go. For me, this was extra important as it also meant I could say I'd done my best to help my atypical fantasy series do the best it could, and I could turn my focus onto new projects in new worlds... which have been growing my TBW pile lol. I think the trouble with rapid-release launches and quality is that many suggest doing them by writing book one, release, writing book two, release (etc) instead of writing and editing (with an editor too) all of the books before releasing any of them. **Comparison** Loving you also bring this up! Sometimes I look at a specific author - who started building his supportive community around the same time I did - and just feel like I've gotten in my own way, that I won't get as far as he has because time-wise in comparison to him it hasn't happened yet and so on.
1. Plan and visualize what you want to write. 2. Let go of perfectionism 3. Write in sprints 4. Eliminate distractions 5. Experiment with times of day/ locations of writing 6. Improve typing skills (speed) 7. Dictation 8. Be consistent
This is SO timely! I leave for Ireland tomorrow and it’s going to double as a solo vacation as well as a writing retreat. I can’t wait to use these tips. Thanks Sarra!
I work full-time, but I find that I do my best visualization as I work, kinda like watching a movie. I plan to get a stack of index cards so I can write out my story scene-by-scene, because "pantsing" it hasn't been effective for me in the past, and Scrivener is too rocket-sciency for me! I really want to make a success of this book series, thanks to your inspiration. 😊
A few years ago I stopped being able to write. I'm not blocked, I just can't get myself into writing. As I've started trying to address this in the last several months, it's bold down to this stuff. Not necisarily faster writing so much as just general successful writing. So going to try some of these out.
Great video! I've started using the pomodoro method and noticed I've started to hit more words than I usually do. I never thought sprints were for me as when I first tried them I felt pressure when the timer started and I just ended up freezing, but after a few days I've adapted to it and see how beneficial it is.
I'm giving myself daily goals, but I struggled today. I tried moving to a different scene in the book and I ended up getting close enough to my goal that I think I will call it a day. Thanks for the video, I may use word sprints or another of your tips next time.
This is an excellent video with very practical tips! I love the writing some notes for your writing session the next day, and I have used it since. Helps me tremendously! Hope you don't mind I'm sharing this video with my fellow writer friends as well.
There is a fantastic typing game called Epistory: Typing Chronicles (it's on Steam, too!). You are the muse of an author who is trying to overcome writer's block. You ride around on a giant fox (my favorite animal). Monsters of discouragement and distraction try to kill your muse, but you can type them out of existence. You can also destroy writer's "blocks" throughout the game. It's really fun. You have elemental powerups like fire, spark, and ice. To enable them, you have to type the powerup name and type the attack text above the head of the enemies. Every time you go to a new section, pages fold open like origami, showing the new part of the author's "story." The typing puzzles are also fun! I highly recommend it!
I have had luck in stretching my word sprints. I have been sitting at hour-long sprints for a while now and this morning stretched out to 2 hours for 4k words. :) I' super pleased with that obviously. I have never learned to type properly, and even as I write this I'm watching my right-hand zip across they keyboard as my left-hand waits until I need an A or a W :P there is hope for us all!
I max out at 3 hours solid writing generally in a day I´ve found. It´s better to stay in that flow as long as I can before moving out of it. I learned in a class that we only have 3 hours of solid attentive productivity a day so chalk it up to that.
Great tips. I’ve wanted to revisit dictating. Many years ago I tried Dragon software and the learning curve was too much for me. I think hearing my own voice made me self conscious too. That said, I am going to give it another go in the next few years so if I ever lose the use of my hands it will be one less thing to struggle with.
I have CTS in both wrists so I dictate my first drafts and save my wrists for editing. Put on headphones. Seriously. Put on white noise and then you don't have to hear yourself as much. Also, remember that dictating is NOT talking, just like typing is not composing. So take it slowly. I practice by reading a published novel out loud to get into a good headspace. Visualizing or outlining scenes in advance is almost a requirement, else you just have white noise. If you can, get a recorder and buy a customer service set headphone. That way you don't have to sit in front of your computer and you have the recording if anything happens. Feed the program YOUR manuscripts, don't read some random stuff that doesn't match how you write. My program has learned that Jack equals Jaq, which is occasionally an issue in situations not appropriate for this convo. Edit dictation errors as you go. Just trust me on this one. Most importantly, just remember that dictation is a tool. That's it. One of many available to get words on paper. If you don't like it, start a new recording. If you decide you don't like it, that's cool too. Not everything works for everyone, but dictation is the reason I can write at all (and I taught myself a Dvorak keyboard layout for editing, because my wrists were not about that life).
Haha I play "Epistory" and "Letter Quest: Grimm's Journey" on Steam! And I can't read my stories out loud either. It's too weird. But thanks to chatting which came out with MSN Messenger right around the time I was in high school, I learned to type with all my fingers very fast a while ago ^_^ Great video once again!!! :) Now, I need to experiment with my schedule, get into sprints and BE CONSISTENT! ;)
I've wondered the same thing! I imagine the more you get used to it, the faster the process goes, but it probably does take more time in general to fix any little things the program didn't understand correctly!
Im a visual learner/communicator. I could never work that way, I am fairly certain. Like I sometimes even see the words when im envisioning a scene. My head's a weird place. Lol
I can tell you that Dragon's learning curve can be daunting, and if it doesn't pick up exactly what you said, you're stuck with something that might be gibberish. Patience is key!
Try Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing. Hated the woman by the end, but they do have some fun games in the later versions. Get a cheap version a few years old.
I always write faster when I 'zone in' with music. I'll put on songs I've listened to over and over or instruments-only pieces. Or, if I'm writing a scene in a specific setting, I'll use ambient sounds like those found on ambient-mixer.com.
How in God´s name does one write 10k words a day? I worked as a copy editor and it took me a full work day to edit 7k words. I do find speech-to-text makes writing faster, and avoids RSI issues.
Do you have any tips for writing faster? I'd love to hear them in the comments below! Which of these tips do you plan to try out first?
I dont know if the app "write or die" is still available for computer but it is really motivating for sprints, especially if you turn off the backspace button.
I think people often assume fast writing = bad writing, which is not necessarily the case. Some of my best writing happens when I'm in the groove and typing as fast as I can - usually in action scenes when the adrenaline is flowing! Other scenes need to be taken slowly because I'm juggling two or more characters' motivations and personalities and simultaneously trying to steer the conversation in a particular direction in order to bring the scene to its desired conclusion. So my tip would be - don't expect your writing speed to be consistent, even with practice, because you're not a machine! :)
@@annelyle5474 totally agree Anne. I don't think you can really judge what works because we are all so different. When I'm in the groove and writing fast, I think my writing gets better but the overall process of creating a book takes me longer than some others because I spend a lot of time on plotting. Everyone has their own pace so it's impossible to really say fast or slow is better. The key is to just do you.
@@mandikemp1470 I've never used that app or site but I know a lot of friends who have loved write or die!
❤️Here's the list for people who want a quick summary,
Thanks for the great content!
1. Plan & visualize your story before you start writing
2. Embrace your flow & let go of perfectionism
3. Use word sprints - the pomodoro technique with no distractions - find out your sweet
4. Eliminate all distractions
5. Break out of rountine - Experiment with different locations and times of day
6. Improve typing skills - find games to help you type faster
7. Use programs like dragon to dictate your words
8. Be consistent ❤️
if you're just starting on your journey as an authorpreneur I'd love to connect with you as I'm just getting started sharing myself on UA-cam. 😄
Also Heartfelt breathings you're one of the many awesometacular creator's that continues to inspire me to start my own UA-cam channel so thank you for your inspirational commitment😊 ❤️❤️😄👍👏
Writing sprints and letting go of choosing the 'perfect words' really helped me write faster. It also made a lot of my dialogue more natural because I wasn't thinking so hard about being clever. :)
I love your simplicity and honesty. The way you seem so ethical about writing and life in general. Your videos are always enjoyable and inspiring. They always help me envisioning my self writing the next book and getting into the mood for that. Thank you for your humbleness and thruthness.
I write my book faster by putting on one of your videos! When I start to procrastinate, I go to Heartbeatings! I find the following: any video of yours entitled "How to Edit your Novel," is the best; Outlining Your Novel is also cool as well. Sometimes, just seeing you work (with the sound off) can be helpful. Within 15 minutes, I begin to sit at my own desk and then "zone" into my own work. During break time, if I am doing a non-writing activity, such as cleaning up my office, folding laundry -- etc. I turn on your sound to remind myself that I have to get back to my writing desk. Finally, I encourage everyone to become familiar with your task blocks system. I carry this "grid" in my head to help me manage my time. Thanks Sarra for making your work accessible and very affordable! (i.e. How you don't charge for any of your downloads!)
This means a lot to me!! So proud of you
Watched this video to motivate myself to write more yesterday. After watching this video, I felt so motivated and wrote 14,000 words in one day!
Holy cats, you are awesome! Congratulations on your wonderful day of writing!
How did you manage to write so many words in one day?
.
I love the caveat at the beginning. I could never pump out a good book in a month, though that’s what so many authors are being advised to do. One of many reasons you’re awesome :)
We all go at our own pace, and it's the perfect pace for us! Always good to improve, but never good to beat ourselves up or go behind our own personal limits. Thank you for commenting!
I needed that part too. I have been working on my book hard core for 6 months and am only in my first round of edits where as a friend of mine only took 5 months from writing the first word to publishing. I know it's fine that I work at the speed I do but it's also nice to be reminded it's ok :).
I'm a new (aspiring) writer currently in the early stages of writing my first book and I tried the 'eliminate distractions' tip. I turned all the volumes down on my phone but I could still see the notifications, text messages and phone calls pop up on the screen and ended up having to shut my phone off completely and turn the screen over so I wouldn't be tempted to reach for it. But that tip actually did work for me.
I found that turning my phone over (so the screen is face down) is one of the top/key puzzle pieces for my productivity. I keep the sound off all the time anyway, but no longer seeing the screen light up in from any corner of my eyes was a game changer when I did/realized that!
“A good day's work is if I have one typed page at the end of the day, two is amazing, three is a miracle.” - Paul Auster
I'm looking forward to your editing series. I'm currently reading through my manuscript trying to find scenes I haven't written yet, and looking for things I know aren't correct (like names of really minor characters), but I'll be ready for editing hopefully sooner than later. :-)
I watched this several times because I was taking notes and kept skipping over tips!
As someone in the comments from your live video from yesterday said, "I am a plantser!"
Tip #1: 4:27
Tip #2: 7:38
Tip #3: 9:52
Tip #4: 12:30
Tip #5: 14:23
Tip #6: 17:28
Tip #7: 19:15
Tip #8: 21:57
I learned from Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing when I was 10. I had a typing speed of 15 WPM at 14 years old. Then 40 WPM at 16-17. Then 80 WPM at age 18.
I mostly practiced at age 10 and 18. It's all about muscle memory. Mavis shows you opaque hands that teach you where to put your fingers.
Typing speed isn't an issue for me but I have creative burnout. I know what I'm going to write as a manager but I get tired after writing 500-1000 words at a time.
I use dictation once daily and typing sprints as well. Tip for dictation: try a couple of takes on the same dictation scene. The second one is usually more robust.
Thank you for your wonderful videos! I’m older than you and working on getting out of my daytime rut. Changing careers at 52 isn’t easy. Old habits die hard when you’ve doing them for 30+ years. Your advice on routines and consistency is so practical and helpful.
Gwyn, I’m your age (or very close) and working on my first novel. It’s nice to know I’m not the only one changing gears over 50.What’s your preferred genre?
Thank you so much for your advice 😊. I just found out 2 months ago that I want to be a writer and I already started writing but yes lol sometimes I'm stuck and the over thinking gets me tired lol. I'm using word right now anyways congratulations 👏 🎉 to your new place and your baby .
My personal tip is something that Jessica Brody turned me on to via one of her classes. You can listen to brain entrainment or brain waves made for creativity. There is a really good one here on youtube. (the thumbnail is wadded paper in several colors in a row and a lit light bulb in the center) When I use it I get about 1000 words per 45 mins.
Oh, this is a great tip! (and I love Jessica Brody!) I used to listen to brain.fm, but I stopped. I should get back to it, as it really does help with focus!!! Thank you so much for a great tip!
@@HeartBreathings I have found that brain entrainment works for all kinds of things. And if my kids are being loud when they're playing, popping my ear buds in and listening to something like that helps drown out the excess sound so much.
Your advice is genuine and practical. Thank you so much for this wonderful advice!
Thank you for watching!
“Touching your story” is a fantastic way of thinking. Thanks for that.
I’m going to try to incorporate your short sessions for EDITING
that’s what takes me forever
hey, big thanks for this! Great tips, I am going to use them today for writing. And special thanks for that bit in the intro about quality and quantity, individual differences and and who one should compare themselves to. I am a novice and I write super slow, that is why I never considered writing seriously before. But I'm told the outcome is great and I actually write well. So now I am trying to improve my writing speed.
Both MAC and PC have built-in software for dictation. It's not easy to find, but it there for free, and it's Dragon software. Do a search to figure out how to get to the software for your computer.
This pieces of advice are gold
Just found this via a comment on another channel. Hands down this is the best writing advice I've seen on UA-cam regarding writing speed. Easy to follow practical tips. Thank you! ❤
**Writing speed and rapid-release stuff**
I love that you bring up the issue of writing advice about rapid-releases and how that and writing faster are pushed as solutions to becoming better known (potentially at the expense of quality).
Thankfully those I've talked to about rapid-releases and writing faster don't do it at the expense of quality :) One of my own goals (I'm in the final stages of a 5 book rapid release project) is never to sacrifice quality for speed; this five book series rapid-release launch has meant I've not published anything since 2016 and I'm OK with that. I've put in the time and my best effort to ensure I do my best quality before I let the series go. For me, this was extra important as it also meant I could say I'd done my best to help my atypical fantasy series do the best it could, and I could turn my focus onto new projects in new worlds... which have been growing my TBW pile lol.
I think the trouble with rapid-release launches and quality is that many suggest doing them by writing book one, release, writing book two, release (etc) instead of writing and editing (with an editor too) all of the books before releasing any of them.
**Comparison**
Loving you also bring this up! Sometimes I look at a specific author - who started building his supportive community around the same time I did - and just feel like I've gotten in my own way, that I won't get as far as he has because time-wise in comparison to him it hasn't happened yet and so on.
1. Plan and visualize what you want to write.
2. Let go of perfectionism
3. Write in sprints
4. Eliminate distractions
5. Experiment with times of day/ locations of writing
6. Improve typing skills (speed)
7. Dictation
8. Be consistent
Love these tips. I'm going to try and finish my current book before my 30th birthday in December, so I appreciated these suggestions!
You can do it!! :-)
@@mandikemp1470 Aw, thank you!!!
You're an absolute delight. These videos of yours pop up exactly when I need them, thank you!
Thank you so much for saying that!
This is SO timely! I leave for Ireland tomorrow and it’s going to double as a solo vacation as well as a writing retreat. I can’t wait to use these tips. Thanks Sarra!
Oh my gosh, what an amazing trip! I hope you have a great time and get tons of words!
Great tips! I am definitely a plotter and have the hardest time writing if I don’t have a very clear idea on what’s happening
I work full-time, but I find that I do my best visualization as I work, kinda like watching a movie. I plan to get a stack of index cards so I can write out my story scene-by-scene, because "pantsing" it hasn't been effective for me in the past, and Scrivener is too rocket-sciency for me! I really want to make a success of this book series, thanks to your inspiration. 😊
A few years ago I stopped being able to write. I'm not blocked, I just can't get myself into writing. As I've started trying to address this in the last several months, it's bold down to this stuff. Not necisarily faster writing so much as just general successful writing. So going to try some of these out.
Great video! I've started using the pomodoro method and noticed I've started to hit more words than I usually do. I never thought sprints were for me as when I first tried them I felt pressure when the timer started and I just ended up freezing, but after a few days I've adapted to it and see how beneficial it is.
Love your channel! I am still trying to find my first idea…but I know it will come and your advice is appreciated!
YES! Been waiting for this all day ❤️
I enjoyed the video, thank you. Points where informative And helped me.
I'm giving myself daily goals, but I struggled today. I tried moving to a different scene in the book and I ended up getting close enough to my goal that I think I will call it a day. Thanks for the video, I may use word sprints or another of your tips next time.
This is an excellent video with very practical tips! I love the writing some notes for your writing session the next day, and I have used it since. Helps me tremendously! Hope you don't mind I'm sharing this video with my fellow writer friends as well.
There is a fantastic typing game called Epistory: Typing Chronicles (it's on Steam, too!). You are the muse of an author who is trying to overcome writer's block. You ride around on a giant fox (my favorite animal). Monsters of discouragement and distraction try to kill your muse, but you can type them out of existence. You can also destroy writer's "blocks" throughout the game. It's really fun. You have elemental powerups like fire, spark, and ice. To enable them, you have to type the powerup name and type the attack text above the head of the enemies. Every time you go to a new section, pages fold open like origami, showing the new part of the author's "story." The typing puzzles are also fun! I highly recommend it!
I have had luck in stretching my word sprints. I have been sitting at hour-long sprints for a while now and this morning stretched out to 2 hours for 4k words. :) I' super pleased with that obviously. I have never learned to type properly, and even as I write this I'm watching my right-hand zip across they keyboard as my left-hand waits until I need an A or a W :P there is hope for us all!
Thank you so much .. I love your videos so much
Great tips, Sarra! Thanks!
I max out at 3 hours solid writing generally in a day I´ve found. It´s better to stay in that flow as long as I can before moving out of it. I learned in a class that we only have 3 hours of solid attentive productivity a day so chalk it up to that.
You're awesome! Thank you!
Wonderful tips! I wanna check out this zombie typing game now!
I am really enjoying your channel.
Great tips. I’ve wanted to revisit dictating. Many years ago I tried Dragon software and the learning curve was too much for me. I think hearing my own voice made me self conscious too. That said, I am going to give it another go in the next few years so if I ever lose the use of my hands it will be one less thing to struggle with.
I have CTS in both wrists so I dictate my first drafts and save my wrists for editing. Put on headphones. Seriously. Put on white noise and then you don't have to hear yourself as much. Also, remember that dictating is NOT talking, just like typing is not composing. So take it slowly. I practice by reading a published novel out loud to get into a good headspace. Visualizing or outlining scenes in advance is almost a requirement, else you just have white noise. If you can, get a recorder and buy a customer service set headphone. That way you don't have to sit in front of your computer and you have the recording if anything happens. Feed the program YOUR manuscripts, don't read some random stuff that doesn't match how you write. My program has learned that Jack equals Jaq, which is occasionally an issue in situations not appropriate for this convo. Edit dictation errors as you go. Just trust me on this one. Most importantly, just remember that dictation is a tool. That's it. One of many available to get words on paper. If you don't like it, start a new recording. If you decide you don't like it, that's cool too. Not everything works for everyone, but dictation is the reason I can write at all (and I taught myself a Dvorak keyboard layout for editing, because my wrists were not about that life).
Aaren Jackson ty for the tips! Have a great weekend. :-)
I love this post thank you
I am so excited for the self publishing course! Any idea what month that will go live?
Thank you! Right now, I'm aiming for June 24 for the launch! I'll keep you updated.
@@HeartBreathings I was afraid of that! I'll be on vacation of course. Sigh*
Thanks 👍💕
Thank you for the tips!
Haha I play "Epistory" and "Letter Quest: Grimm's Journey" on Steam!
And I can't read my stories out loud either. It's too weird. But thanks to chatting which came out with MSN Messenger right around the time I was in high school, I learned to type with all my fingers very fast a while ago ^_^
Great video once again!!! :) Now, I need to experiment with my schedule, get into sprints and BE CONSISTENT! ;)
It's kind of like doing thumbnails for comics or anything art related.
Thanks!
I wonder if those that dictate add more time on the backend in editing. Seems to me it would take longer to go through all the little typos and such.
I've wondered the same thing! I imagine the more you get used to it, the faster the process goes, but it probably does take more time in general to fix any little things the program didn't understand correctly!
Im a visual learner/communicator. I could never work that way, I am fairly certain. Like I sometimes even see the words when im envisioning a scene.
My head's a weird place. Lol
I can tell you that Dragon's learning curve can be daunting, and if it doesn't pick up exactly what you said, you're stuck with something that might be gibberish. Patience is key!
Try Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing. Hated the woman by the end, but they do have some fun games in the later versions. Get a cheap version a few years old.
I always write faster when I 'zone in' with music. I'll put on songs I've listened to over and over or instruments-only pieces. Or, if I'm writing a scene in a specific setting, I'll use ambient sounds like those found on ambient-mixer.com.
I like Typing Ghosts, a free, on-line typing game. Beware! Turn volume down when you’re at a coffee shop.
i need to work on typing i use a i pad
How in God´s name does one write 10k words a day? I worked as a copy editor and it took me a full work day to edit 7k words. I do find speech-to-text makes writing faster, and avoids RSI issues.
Ps, the title is very pregnancy-brain 😘
It happens....
Oh my gosh, I didn't even notice. That's hilarious!
Hahaha, All I can do is laugh! Thank you so much. Yes, pregnancy brain strikes again! Changing now!
I think it’s cute and sweet. Has anyone else noticed her beautiful pregnancy glow, too?
Awwww. I’ve never been pregnant but I still find this very relatable.
What about dictation?
Dictation was #7 on the list!
Naruto is a little more than the one I have ever been in the past and
dance mat typing
hi you are very cute i love you're videos