Tell Your Story Faster: Dictation Writing

Since the beginning, stories were passed along by voice, shared around glowing fires, and carried on by memory and in the air. Folktales thrived because they were shared vocally, changing only as voices changed. Later, these timeless tales were sometimes collected and then printed, with collectors like the Grimm Brothers working to preserve stories for new generations. Today, technology keeps the storytelling tradition alive in a new way, letting us use our own voices to write fiction more quickly than ever before. Dictation gives modern fiction writers a way to “speak” their stories into existence, much like the way folktales were first shared. And with a few simple tricks, you’ll find yourself writing faster than you ever thought possible.

When Writing Hurts: Dictation as a Remedy

We all know the aches of sitting at a desk, shoulders hunched over for hours, tension in our necks, wrists that hurt, and fingers that become stiff. Sometimes, the inspiration is flowing, but your body just isn’t willing to play along. Dictation is a lifeline for those moments. For those with conditions like carpal tunnel, arthritis, or limited mobility, dictation helps reduce strain on the back, neck, wrists and fingers. Typing becomes difficult through these challenges, but talking out the story can help keep you writing. With the right app and a little patience, your creativity can keep pace with your imagination, despite those challenges.

The Tools: Free and Paid Options That Actually Work

You don’t need fancy equipment to start capturing your voice. Just your phone, tablet, or laptop, and maybe some headphones.

Free Tools:

Google Docs Voice Typing – Simple, reliable, and easy to access right in your browser.

Apple Dictation – Works offline for iPhone and Mac users.

Windows Speech Recognition – Built right in and easy to access.

Otter.ai (Free) – Ideal for short recording or jotting down scenes while you’re out.

Speechnotes – Perfect for Android users who love minimal tools.

Paid Tools:

Dragon Anywhere – The powerful and accurate industry favorite.

Just Press Record: Simple and reliable, perfect for Apple users.

Wispr Flow – My personal go-to. It’s surprisingly accurate with speech clarity and punctuation, even when my voice isn’t at its strongest. I can literally speak ideas from bed, and it still gets every word right. Get a free month of Flow Pro here, using my referral link!

Tip: Try the free versions first! Practice a bit, experiment, and see which app fits your quirks as a storyteller.

Dictation Advantages

• Accessibility: Creativity doesn’t wait for pain-free days.

• Creativity: Dictation frees your voice and allows dialogue to feel more natural; the narrative flows smoothly.

• Speed: You’re likely to "write" at least three times faster than tapping at the keyboard.

• Raw Emotion: Stories spoken aloud often come alive with unexpected energy.

• Wellness: Less strain on hands, back, and neck.

  
  

Dictation Disadvantages

• Accuracy: Expect typos and weird punctuation moments.

• Noise: Background noises like wind or chatter can confuse apps.

• Privacy: Some apps save data online, so be mindful of what you’re dictating.

• Editing Time: Spoken drafts are messy (but it’s easier when fresh).

  
  

Tips for Smooth Dictation Writing

Dictation isn’t just a shortcut: it’s a way to reconnect with your true storyteller’s voice, like sharing folk tales aloud.

My Top Tips:

• The Index Card Rule: Before recording, jot down your three to five main points on an index card, just like outlining a speech. This keeps your fiction focused and prevents drifting off-topic.

• Five Minute Sprints: Only record in short bursts (about 5 minutes). Noise, distractions, or missed words won’t ruin your whole session. You can pause, check your progress, continue, and adjust as needed.

• Quiet Setting: Dictation apps pick up stray sounds, so finding a quiet environment is step one.

• Announce Punctuation: Depending on your app, you may need to speak punctuation: “comma,” “period,” or “open quote.” Flow avoids most errors by letting you control punctuation, while many free apps (including Word) automatically insert marks that may frustrate and slow editing.

• Practice, Not Perfection: Just like folk storytellers, let your words flow; you’ll shape them with editing afterwards.

  
  

Final Reflection: Sharing Your Story with the Air

Dictating brings you closer to those ancient storytellers, blurring the line between thought and word. Maybe the true "voice" of your story is the one you literally speak. Dictation isn’t a magic bullet, but it’s a bridge between inspiration and creation. Next time your hands resist, let your voice do the storytelling. Your story might just surprise you.