best speech to text software for mac for fiction writers

#Best speech to text software for mac for fiction writers software

I used to work as a social worker for social services and it was a little more basic at one time. “I love Dragon! I have physical problems with my hands and have used Dragon & its predecessors for years.

#Best speech to text software for mac for fiction writers software

the phrase “false start” caused my computer to open a game of Hearts, and it interpreted the name “Orna Ross” as “Order rocks”! But as historical novelist Richard Denning reports, “it will certainly help you get down your first draft faster than any other method”.įor those who are not fast typists or have physical difficulties in using a keyboard, whether with hands or eyesight, voice recognition software is a godsend. Of course, I then had to fine-tune and correct it, but I’d have had to do exactly the same with a conventionally typeed first draft too.Īdmittedly, early on there were a few comical incidents e.g. Even after a relatively short period of use, I was able me to rattle away and create a satisfactory first draft. acclimatizing it to the idiosyncrasies of my voice (softly spoken with a south-east London accent), I was pleasantly surprised at how accurate and how fast it was. Yet once I’d started “training my Dragon” i.e. I was slightly sceptical of how helpful it might be, having often chuckled at inaccurate subtitles on news programmes.

Although I’m a very fast touch-typist, the prospect of being able to churn out copious copy without moving my hands was appealing. I had a specific reason to try it: I have rheumatoid arthritis, which occasionally makes my hands swollen and painful. It can manage my Irish accent so I reckon can manage most! It’s definitely my very, very best writing friend.”Īs a relatively recent convert to using voice recognition software, I’ve had a positive experience so far, using Nuance’s Dragon (Windows version) and the Google system that was included with my new tablet. Non-fiction, emails and other less literary writing, I just talk in direct. I like to write fiction and poetry by hand, pen and paper, and then transcribe using Dragon. I’m using it to “write” this comment and almost all the writing I do each day (a few thousand words on average, between one thing and another). “I can definitely say that I would achieve about one third of what I do without it.

I was first persuaded to use voice recognition software by ALLi director Orna Ross, who reports: Even if you have been deterred by disappointing experiences with earlier packages, it’s worth trying the latest software to see whether it can help you improve your productivity.

The latest generation of voice recognition software can be an invaluable tool for indie authors, whether you are writing full-time or trying to make the most of limited time available.