
I know them all because I've been through this journey several times! There are a number of reasons why people resist dictation. If you dictate, you can bypass this critical voice, get the first draft done and then edit it later. They struggle to finish a book because they are constantly editing what they have written. Some writers have a problem with perfectionism and the critical voice in a first draft. There is a trade-off with ‘finished' words as you will have to at least lightly edit to correct transcription issues, but if you want to get that first draft done faster, then dictation can be the most effective way. I've made it up to around 5000 words per hour with dictation, while I only manage around 1500 words per hour typing. (2) Writing speed and staminaĭictation is faster at getting words on the page than typing, especially if you are not self-censoring. Walking along the tow path, occasionally dictating!ĭictation can help alleviate or prevent pain right now, but learning how to write with dictation can also future-proof your living as a writer in case of problems later. I started using dictation when I had RSI and used it to write the first drafts of Destroyer of Worlds and also Map of Shadows, plus some chapters for this book, which I dictated while walking along the canal towpath. You can dictate standing up or while walking, or lying in bed with injuries, or if pain stops you typing.
