We’ve had our fair share of clients from just about any industry. The one we see every now and then is authors, who come to us to help them get their work on the page. We recently came across an author whose historically-based adventures were becoming a bit of a nightmare. His typing speed wasn’t the greatest and his editor was struggling to read his handwritten notes on the printed pages of the manuscript. It was not only a waste of paper and a struggle to keep the pages in order but deciphering the updates was taking too much time.

He was told about speech recognition software and made contact with us. We were able to train him to use the software and now he swears by it. Being able to dictate his drafts onto Microsoft Word instead of trying to scribble notes and effect changes has made it easier for him to be more productive and has made his editor’s life so much easier. Able to transcribe his words onto the page means the manuscript is much clearer for everyone working on it.

He’s not longer hunched over the keyboard plonking away with two fingers but able to really sink his teeth into the imaginative aspect of his writing. Having clear diction and being well-versed in dictating, it was an easy transition for the adventure author who is used to painting with his words. For some, it may be a major transition to switch from typing to talking… where somehow the typing creates a strange typing code for the mind where it’s difficult to engender the same form or tone.

Using our voices to create documents the inclination is for much more casual language. However, it really is a case of adjusting to a new input method. Not only does using Dragon make you more aware of your diction but it also helps improve your thought flow when it comes to composing words out loud. It’s difficult to pinpoint what mental processes change when you switch from typing to dictating. For some, it just means more free-flowing text generation. For others, there’s a distinct change in tone. Depending on your writing this can help or even hinder.

The main thing is channelling the power of Dragon’s productivity whatever you do. The transition may take some time to smooth over and form new habits but it’s well worth it. It’s important to start your day’s routine with the headset on. Perhaps being able to close your eyes while you create will even help focus or access your imagination as an author. Even if you use the software to get your first draft done, there’s value in being able to get this done quickly and without the physical strain associated with typing reams of pages.

As you can imagine, writing memoirs is a bit like recounting your personal story. What better way than writing it by way of the spoken word. From fiction to non-fiction, Dragon makes it a breeze to unlock writer’s block and let your thoughts spill onto the page.

Why Authors and Writers Need Dragon
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