Today was the first day I sat down and dictated a chapter text. It’s for my novella set in the Starstuff universe…and I’m not entirely convinced what I dictated was any good…but, BUT…I can see falling in love with dictation. For reals. The ability to just close my eyes and speak my story without needing to slow down for typing is very…very appealing. It might actually IMPROVE my writing.
But, we’ll see. I have a LOT of practice to do before I can really weigh in on the matter.
Wasn’t that happy with day-one audio quality. I think it might be because I put these two wind-screens on either side of my lapel mic, and perhaps the mic was too close to my mouth…whatever it was, Dragon frequently missed some of what I was saying. Not just mis-heard, but didn’t hear at all. I think that’s a sound quality issue. But, using this voice recorded is awesome – it has a built-in USB port so I can drag and drop right to my computer AND it records in the proper format for Dragon to just grab it and dictate.
Still need to watch some videos on how to do corrections, but I think I was able to get some correctly done today. Start building my “profile.” Apparently, that’s the real key to using Dragon; you HAVE to do corrections inside the program. The program keeps track of them and learns the way you speak. I’ve been told that after just a couple weeks, the program will get up to around 99% accuracy if you teach it correctly. So…that’s very exciting.
If I can get transcription down, and even more importantly get a proper creative flow with it…I could get my writing done in just an hour a day. Maybe two, tops…and be pumping out a book a month with ease. Okay, well, not quite EASE…but doable.
Very, very attractive.
I did 800 words today in 9 minutes. That means on day one…and it was definitely rough and awkward today…I could average almost 2,500 words an hour. I know I can easily double that. And, if I really knew my story well and was feeling some good flow…maybe even triple that.
Coco just snuggled up against me. I LOVE THAT DOG. Love you too, Coops. He’s down at the end of the bed cleaning his paws. I thought for the longest time that he was chewing on them or some such naughty stuff, but every time we’d look at them, even with the vet, they were always fine. Well, it’s because he really is just cleaning them. He doesn’t like them being dirty. He chews out all the dirt and brambles. It’s why he doesn’t like walking on grass and stuff, and why he freaks out if there’s ever something on him like a leaf or a branch: he’s very fastidious.
The apartment building has been sucking A LOT of time away from me recently. It’s ruined what were supposed to be two big work days for me this week, which is naturally frustrating…but I’m reminded of how the first week of a month is quite often ruined by apartment duties. This is normal. I can handle it. Everything is going to get done when it gets done, I just have to power through and keep moving forward.
I was also thinking tonight that I really should consider wiping my slate clean for a week or two after I submit my manuscript to my editor and take some legit time off. Clear my head. Recharge. Listen to some music, watch some movies, read some books…get OUTSIDE. I might do that. It’s hard for me to do that…but I might do it. We’ll see.
Time for the sleeps. Going to bed early tonight because I’m wiped out. Happy. But, wiped out.
Good night, guys. Sleep tight!
Artwork tonight is from Virgil Finlay. It’s so me, right?!