DICTATION WRITING TIPS: Get Started With Telling Yourself Your Next Amazing Story

Summary

In this video, Scarlett Cole shares practical tips for writers looking to boost productivity through dictation. She explains that dictation is a skill requiring practice, patience, and the right technology, and offers guidance on starting sessions, managing expectations, and integrating dictation with traditional typing. Scarlett highlights the benefits of dictation, such as freeing writers from their desks, overcoming writer’s block, and bypassing the inner editor, while also addressing challenges like voice changes, error rates, and the temptation to edit mid-session. Her advice empowers writers to experiment, find suitable tools, and gradually increase efficiency and creativity through spoken word writing.

Takeaways

• 😀 Dictation is a skill that requires practice and time to develop, similar to learning to type or write by hand.
• 😀 Don’t expect immediate high word counts; results improve gradually as you become more comfortable with dictation.
• 😀 Using dictation can help bypass your inner editor, allowing you to write more freely and increase productivity.
• 😀 Technology impacts dictation accuracy: better microphones and software reduce errors, but free or inexpensive options can work for beginners.
• 😀 Your writing voice may change when dictating, particularly in dialogue, which can be managed or embraced depending on the project.
• 😀 You can mix dictation and typing within a project, starting sections with dictation and finishing them on a computer.
• 😀 Avoid editing while dictating; instead, add new lines for corrections and address them later during editing.
• 😀 Having a brief outline or key points for your dictation session helps prevent going off-track and wasting time.
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• 😀 Dictation allows for flexibility in writing locations, such as walking, driving, or sitting away from your desk.
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• 😀 Initial dictation sessions may require more editing, but error rates decrease as you gain experience and familiarity with your tools.
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• 😀 Dictation is especially useful for writers facing health constraints, tight schedules, or those looking to maximize creative output quickly.

Q & A

What is the main benefit of using dictation for writing according to Scarlett Cole?

Dictation allows writers to increase their word output, bypass the inner editor, and write more freely without being tied to a desk or computer.

How long did Scarlett Cole say it took her to get comfortable with dictation?

She mentioned it took time and consistent practice, as dictation is a skill similar to learning to type or handwrite, and one should not expect immediate high word counts.

What advice does Scarlett give about testing dictation tools before investing money?

She suggests starting with free or inexpensive options like Google Docs dictation or Otter before committing to paid tools like Dragon Anywhere, to see if dictation suits your workflow.

How can dictation affect a writer's voice?

Dictation can slightly or significantly change the way a writer's voice comes across, particularly in dialogue, making it sound more natural and closer to spoken language.

What strategy does Scarlett recommend for integrating dictation with typing?

She recommends starting a section or scene with dictation and then continuing or editing it on a computer, allowing for flexibility and smoother workflow.

Why does Scarlett advise against editing while dictating?

Editing mid-dictation interrupts the flow and slows productivity. Instead, she suggests adding new lines to correct mistakes and cleaning up later during editing.

How can outlines help when using dictation?

Even minimal outlines of 3–4 key points help prevent tangents and keep the dictation focused, ensuring the writing stays on track without losing direction.

What are some practical places or situations where dictation can be used?

Dictation can be done while walking, driving, during lunch breaks, or anywhere hands-free, providing freedom from the desk and potentially inspiring creativity.

What role does technology play in dictation success?

Better microphones and dictation software reduce error rates and improve efficiency, but beginners can start with free tools and gradually invest in advanced equipment as needed.

How does dictation help with overcoming writer’s block or internal editing issues?

Because it’s difficult to edit while dictating, writers are encouraged to keep moving forward, which helps bypass overthinking and second-guessing, boosting word count and creative flow.

What does Scarlett say about error rates and learning to dictate?

Error rates may be higher when starting, but as you practice, speak clearly, and use better tools, errors decrease, and dictation can become nearly as accurate as typing.

Can writers switch back and forth between dictation and typing?

Yes, Scarlett emphasizes that switching between dictation and typing is practical, and many writers start dictation in one setting and finish typing in another without losing continuity.