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Writing for Authors
09 May 2023 at 07:46 AM PDT
Updated 26 days ago

Faster Writing with a Voice Recorder

By Catia Shattuck

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writing with a voice recorder

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Have you ever tried using a voice recorder to “write” your book instead of typing it out?

Pros of Using a Voice Recorder

  • You can “write” your book wherever you are, whether you’re exercising, cleaning the house, or running errands.
  • Talking is faster than writing, so you can get your ideas down quicker.
  • You’re not staring at an intimidating blank page.
  • You won’t get distracted from creating by editing errors or typos.
  • Because it’s a different form of creativity, it may help with writer’s block.
  • You can use it just to brainstorm and record your ideas or to actually dictate your novel.

Cons of Using a Voice Recorder

  • You may be too distracted by other things you’re doing to actually record quality material.
  • Choosing the right technology and setting it up can be difficult.
  • You may do better writing out your thoughts than speaking them aloud.
  • Switching from typing to recording make take some practice.
  • Sometimes the software you use to convert your audio file to text misses or omits words.
  • You generally have more clean up to do in your document.

Voice Recorder Technology

You can do a variety of things to record yourself.

If you’re on the go, you can carry around a handheld recorder or even your phone. You can even use a Bluetooth earpiece so you don’t have to hold your device to your mouth. There are many free apps out there that have neat features such as skipping silence and muting background noise. One such app that also works with Bluetooth (not all do!) is Parrot. Most apps allow you to save your recording as a MP3 or WMA file that you can then email to yourself so you have it ready on your computer.

If you’re already at your computer, and just don’t feel like typing, you can record yourself with a microphone or headset. For both PCs and Macs, you’ll need to first enable this feature in your computer settings before you can use it in any program.

On your PC, turn on Speech-to-text recognition by going to your computer Settings -> Options -> Ease of Access -> Speech Recognition (if you don’t see this last option, try searching for it in the search bar of your settings). Click Start Speech Recognition and follow the steps to set up your microphone. You can also take a tutorial and train your computer to understand your voice better before using this feature in Microsoft Word. A microphone bar will appear at the top of your screen. You can click on the microphone to start recording, and it’ll transcribe your speech into whatever program you have open (including Microsoft Word!)

For a Mac, go to System Preferences -> Keyboard -> Dictation, and turn it on. In Word, you’d then go to Edit -> Start Diction. The words will appear on the screen as you speak, and there is no need to convert a previously saved audio file to text.

Recording on your computer is a good way to start training to use audio so give it a try.

Speech-to-Text Software

Once you have your recording, you may choose to listen to it and transcribe it yourself. Or you can use technology to transcribe it for you! One popular software is Dragon Naturally Speaking, and it’s better than a lot of programs out there, but it does cost a significant amount. If you’re looking for a more economical way to “speak” your books or want to give it a try before you invest $$$, Google Chrome has FREE software that can transcribe your recording. Just go to your Google Drive, create a new Google Doc, and from the tools menu, choose voice typing. Then play back your audio file. (Your audio file will need to be loud and clear.) You can also speak and watch it type for you.

Have you used a voice recorder to brainstorm or write your book? We’d love to hear what you’ve done in the comments below.

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Avatar for Catia Shattuck
Catia Shattuck

I am a copyeditor and a typesetter of print books, and have been editing and typesetting (using InDesign) for thirteen years. As the executive editor at Book Cave, I enjoy helping authors be successful, and I only get interrupted a little bit (ha!) by my cute, rambunctious two-year-old.


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Comments

  1. Linda G. Hall
    Linda G. Hall • 2 months ago

    Is it better to record your book if so how do you get it off recorder and to publisher

    Reply
    • Catia Shattuck
      Catia Shattuck Linda G. Hall • 2 months ago

      It just depends on what works best for you. If it’s easier to get your ideas out by talking out loud, recording yourself is a great option. You’ll then either have to manually transcribe the text into a word processor, or use one of the Speech-to-Text Softwares mentioned above. Of course, at that point, you’ll want to read through what was transcribed and clean it up before you submit it anywhere.

      Reply
  2. Stacee
    Stacee • 6 months ago

    I am sooo excited!

    Reply
  3. Blaine Bowen
    Blaine Bowen • 1 year ago

    Need help, good ideas. But I get no where.
    I want to write, I can do this. Need help understanding the voice to text technology. How do I start?

    Reply
  4. Russ Higbie
    Russ Higbie • 1 year ago

    Spent a career in police work (35 years) and have lots of interesting stories that I could tell. Do you know of any computer program that would allow me to talk and the computer type out the text?

    Reply
  5. carlos rivera
    carlos rivera • 2 years ago

    am just starting a book just cant started righter bloke need some help looking all over for some one on my testimony first book thank you can you help?

    Reply
  6. Cora Blackwell
    Cora Blackwell • 2 years ago

    Hello. I’m looking for the best tools and way to write my book by speaking into a recorder (want to be able to use it as I walk, sit in the park, etc) then have the recorder transcribe the words to text. Help!

    Reply
    • April
      April Cora Blackwell • 2 years ago

      I happen to be looking for a resolution to the same kind of writing process myself.. I’ve had trouble in my older years slowing down and being able to write down my thoughts and ideas, etc like I used to… I just wouldn’t take any note of those things.. with my spiritual awakening, recently, the thoughts and ideas and energies and messages have come to me so faithfully and now so abundantly that I finally had to find a way to just get them out of my head.. I’ve been using the simple notes app from google.. when you start a note you simply hit the microphone icon and take voice notes that are automatically transferred to the screen in writing.. it’s convenient and simple to start many seperate notes as the thoughts, ideas, etc. change from one subject, person, title, to another.. however, it’s not going to work as a long-term solution tohow I may write, edit and store my info., I need something that is equipped with a higher quality recorder.. and more storage space..

      Reply
  7. Jacques
    Jacques • 2 years ago

    Hi

    I’m a retired newly spiritually awakened person and my goals is to now write. Since I never even thought of writing and now 59 years old , I’m wondering if speaking is better than writing for me . I would like to try a program that will write what I say and I can save also. I would appreciate your input if possible.

    Thank you
    Jacques

    Reply
  8. Susan kurtz
    Susan kurtz • 2 years ago

    My children have been bugging me to record my life I have been married 60+ years and have had a lot of unique experiences. I don’t know the type recorder I need to have because I’m not really good at technology I am 77 years old and have an iPhone That’s about it and don’t even know how to use that really good so can you suggest a product that would be easy to use for someone to take what I talk into and put it into book form later on

    Reply
  9. Long Pan
    Long Pan • 2 years ago

    Hi Catia et al,
    I would recommend you try my iPhone app Toknote. It’s an easy voice recorder that transcribes your voice automatically. It uses Apple’s voice recognition technology. The quality can be improved but just as one of the reader said, it can be a good first step! Check it out. And it’s FREE! Any feedbacks are welcome.
    Thanks

    Reply
  10. Kyle Cooper
    Kyle Cooper • 2 years ago

    HI Catia,

    I hope this message finds you well. I wrote a “book” and was working with a publisher that was closed during Covid. I would still love to get my story out there and would like to find out about you to do the editing. Can you please contact me and let me know if that is something you are currently doing?

    Warmly,
    Kyle
    213 305 2758

    Reply
  11. David Vick
    David Vick • 2 years ago

    Hello Catia,

    I am almost 90, legally blind, hearing impaired, (and more) having more and more difficulty with computer and visual things so I am looking for the easiest way to begin writing my life story, and just taking notes that I can find again which is now impossible. Equipment is more and more difficult for me.
    Please let me know if you can help me with my writing.

    Reply
  12. Sandy
    Sandy • 2 years ago

    ok just seen your blog. I have a manuscrit that needs proof read or just cleaned up. I’ve tried rewriting it well this will.make the 14th time. And no I’m not kidding. I’ve been approached by archways and page publishing but I don’t have that kind of money. Maybe you could direct me in the right corner. Thanks for your time. SANDY .

    Reply
  13. Jim Fogg
    Jim Fogg • 2 years ago

    CATIA.
    I’m 83 and want to record my my life story and have it typed. Since you are from BYU and offer this support I am interested. Let me know if that is easily done.

    Reply
  14. Takesha
    Takesha • 2 years ago

    Hello I’m tryna do my life story and I want to get tips on things this book will be of some
    Deep secrets of my family but it’s a story that needs to be told

    Reply
  15. Michael Mcduffie
    Michael Mcduffie • 2 years ago

    I have 1000..notebooks ..ready for print …does this system…really vocal record and I can go back and correct grammar?

    Reply
  16. nasim esmail
    nasim esmail • 2 years ago

    I am looking for something that will help me take minutes. It seems to get harder taking down notes and transcribing. Hoping there is an easier way in this modern world. Even if it means editing the transcribed notes that would still be a big help, provided I don’t miss any part of the meeting.

    Reply
  17. Austen
    Austen • 2 years ago

    I`m not a writer but my mom is and she writes for the denver post and I`ve been in alot of her storys and I know if I show her this website I think she`ll be pleased with this website

    Reply
  18. ISAAC ( IKE ) MUKANSI
    ISAAC ( IKE ) MUKANSI • 2 years ago

    Tops of the day to you. I have so many books exploding in my brains that I need to share with my family, my country and the world at large. I have no experience or the finances to get the ball rolling. How can you help me like yesterday ?

    Reply
  19. ISAAC ( IKE ) MUKANSI
    ISAAC ( IKE ) MUKANSI • 3 years ago

    Tops of the day to you. I have books and books going through my mind for many years but I’m struggling to write them out. No experience at all. I need help. How much will it cost me to engage you helping me out to write these valuable books, one of them being a dual biography of my wife and I. Thank you

    Reply
  20. David King
    David King • 3 years ago

    A playwright and story writer Would love to know the price affordable

    Reply
  21. Helen Rosenkranz
    Helen Rosenkranz • 3 years ago

    I would like help in recording my memoirs & then having them written down. I’m having difficulty writing & getting them in sequence. Please help.

    Reply
  22. Maja Nyholm
    Maja Nyholm • 3 years ago

    Nick Cave and his son Luke performed one of the songs on the soundtrack together. Luke played the triangle. I had written long-form before but it is pure story-telling in script writing and that goes back as far as I can remember for me, not just with my father but with myself. I slept in the same bedroom as my sister for many years, until it became indecent to do so and I would tell her stories every night—that is how she would get to sleep. She would say “tell me a story” so I would tell her a story. So that ability, I very much had that from the start and I used to enjoy that at school so actually to write a script—it suddenly felt like I was just making up a big story.

    Reply
  23. Anna Linville
    Anna Linville • 3 years ago

    I want to dictate a story about my heratige for grandson, and have it go to an email I can then edit.. what is the best way?

    Reply
  24. Hayley Gray
    Hayley Gray • 3 years ago

    Hi are you able to write a book from voice recordings.

    I would like a series of books.

    Thank you.

    Looking forward to hearing from you.
    Kind Regards
    Hayley

    Reply
  25. Doug Strickland
    Doug Strickland • 3 years ago

    Hi Catia,
    I started writing a memoirs book the old fashioned way (handwriting) and hired an editor to enter my info. Then I discovered my iPone has a recorder that I could email and print out, but it was way too slow.
    Can you recommend a device I can tell my stories and then have the ability to email and print out? I looked in Parrot but it kept defaulting to Pandora.
    Help…please.
    Sincerely,
    Doug

    Reply
  26. Sarah
    Sarah • 3 years ago

    I want to know about ecave recording for my book Sarah

    Reply
    • Sarah
      Sarah Sarah • 3 years ago

      Any tips and ideas on recording my story and what to use thank you

      Reply
  27. D Kiskila
    D Kiskila • 3 years ago

    I want to write a book. I was told to tape record my words and have someone
    type it. What tape recorder for my project is best? And do you type from a taped
    script?

    Reply
  28. Lala Dunson
    Lala Dunson • 3 years ago

    Need help publishing

    Reply
  29. Rhonda Clark
    Rhonda Clark • 3 years ago

    CATIA, I am sorry I called you Sarah. I had just got a message from a friend that is trying to help me. I am just putting things out there to get these letters, prophesies and prayers the FATHER has given me in print for all to hear and read. They are already written. Just need help getting them in print. Thank you very much

    Reply
  30. Rhonda Clark
    Rhonda Clark • 3 years ago

    Sarah, I am very new to this. Was never a writer, but what I have is somewhat different. I know THE FATHER gave me these writings. I am not a scholar nor did I go very far in school. But these treasures are fron the Creator. I had a heart attack and am not well enough to pay for publishing and I am not tech savvy. I am reaching out to anyone that may have a way to help me get all of these writings out there. They are very much needed. GOD wants them out there. Can you help. Thank you.

    Reply
  31. Janice
    Janice • 3 years ago

    I want to write a book and i want to do some recordings..the thoughts jump in my head at any given time.
    I want to be able to tape it…i know absolutely nothing about writing a book …i know its a wonderful book i. My head…need help please yeah is it it would be greatly appreciated all help is welcome thank you so much

    Reply
  32. Suzanne
    Suzanne • 3 years ago

    Hello Catia,
    I have an amazing true story to tell which involves everything from wild sex to heavenly visions to demonic infestation and everything in between. I have begun this book more times than I care to confess, but now, after the passing of my young son, I believe I am ready to follow through from start to finish.
    Here is my dilemma; I am physically disabled but able to walk and drive as long as I take my medication. I am seeking a hand-held or table or body mounted recorder but have absolutely no clue as to what would work best. I cannot sit for long periods of time so this would need to be accomplished while I am supine.
    I must use a recorder as my arthritis is too severe to write for any extended length of time.
    I would rather not use a computer as I would prefer to record all of my ideas and then hire an editor to piece it together.
    Any suggestions you have would be greatly appreciated.
    Just FYI, I am a Stanford grad and hold a second degree from Chapman. I have worn so many hats in my lifetime to support my music habit that I could probably open a haberdashery. I was once a Capitol Records vocal artist and met Nat “ King “ Cole and performed on the same shows as Bob Hope and other legendary celebrities.
    Thank you and have a lovely evening,
    Suzanne Bierce Conant

    Reply
  33. Caroline-Anne
    Caroline-Anne • 3 years ago

    Really interested in writing my life story which would require multiple tomes! Can you help me doing that! My life could be a huge interest for people… everything in there…

    Reply
  34. Gary mcintosh
    Gary mcintosh • 3 years ago

    I never done that before

    Reply
  35. Mark Nicklaus
    Mark Nicklaus • 3 years ago

    I want to start writing my book. I would like to be able to carry around a voice recorder and dictate into the recorder whenever I get inspiration. I want my dictated book to be in Word document format. So I don’t want the hand recorders that save it as MP3. Is there any hand held product that will do speech recognition and save it as Word?
    Thanks,
    M

    Reply
  36. jonathon brown
    jonathon brown • 4 years ago

    HI CATIA IM LOOKING FOR A SMALL RECORDER TO TRANSCRIBE TO TEXT,, IM ON THE GO AND I NEED TO BE ABLE TO RECORD THEN TRANSFER IT TO TEXT TO WRITE A BOOK,, I HAVE SEEN THE DRAGON HARDWARE. I THINK ITS TO COMPLECATED FOR ME,,, IS THERE A RECORDER I CAN RECORD THEN PLUG IT INTO A PRINTER TO TRANSFER TO WRITTEN WORDS? YEARS AGO I WROTE A BOOK, CALLED SATANISUM UNMASKED AND I HAD A GHOST WRITER, DOTTIE GEORING. BUT THAT WAS IN 92. THINGS HAS CHANGED, EXCEPT MY SPELLING,,,LOL DO YOU KNOW HOW TO HELP ME AND MAYBE EVEN HELP GHOST WRITE MY BOOK?

    Reply
  37. Mala Das Roy
    Mala Das Roy • 4 years ago

    Hi pls let me know the name of the voice recorder used for wrting books

    Reply
  38. Professor Vasquez
    Professor Vasquez • 4 years ago

    Hi!
    At this time in my career, I need to start publishing work. As a Digital Designer, at times is best for me to verbalize my ideas. That’s besides going through the design process. But writing about a project is very different and I need to publish to get ahead in my academic career. I’m open to suggestions please. I would love a digital device that i can talk my ideas to and later upload to my mac for digital editing.
    Than you in advance!

    Reply
  39. Tyrone Malone
    Tyrone Malone • 4 years ago

    I have my book recorded on a voice recorder, and I would love to have some assistance on getting my book transcribed from my voice recorder.

    Reply
  40. naga
    naga • 4 years ago

    good

    Reply
  41. Sheila Fling
    Sheila Fling • 4 years ago

    Friends urge me to write my memoirs or such. I’m 83 & sitting long at my MacBook Air is hard on my back, so I use I-phone a lot. I have a few things written in a book chapter & on a website I could just read into it. Composing the rest would be slow with silences, “do-overs”, & corrections. I know perfectionists should just write on through without stopping to do all that, but go back later to revise. I have some Texas sound & use Japanese words some. You look and sound helpful. Any ideas for me?

    Reply
  42. Janet Gilmore
    Janet Gilmore • 4 years ago

    Hello, I wrote my first book, who can I contact to have it typed up.

    Reply
    • Bettye-Lynn Underwood
      Bettye-Lynn Underwood Janet Gilmore • 4 years ago

      I type manuscripts, Janet…RedPenEditsbyBLU.com

      Reply
      • Tyrone Malone
        Tyrone Malone Bettye-Lynn Underwood • 4 years ago

        i HAVE MY BOOK ON A VOICE RECORDER, AND WOULD LIKE IT TYPED.

        Reply
        • Bettye-Lynn Underwood
          Bettye-Lynn Underwood Tyrone Malone • 4 years ago

          Tyrone, please contact me privately: BLU @ RedPenEditsbyBlu .com (don’t include any spaces in the email address).

          Reply
          • Tyrone Malone
            Tyrone Malone Bettye-Lynn Underwood • 4 years ago

            I did contact you. I look forward to hearing back from you.

            Reply
          • Bettye-Lynn Underwood
            Bettye-Lynn Underwood Tyrone Malone • 4 years ago

            Please be sure to check your email later this afternoon. Thank you.

            Reply
        • Denise Szilagyi
          Denise Szilagyi Tyrone Malone • 3 years ago

          Tyrone may i ask what is the recorder you use? Im thinking of writing a book myself

          Reply
        • Gholamreza Varposhti
          Gholamreza Varposhti Tyrone Malone • 3 years ago

          Hi , how is works to record your book on voice recording ?

          Any advice most welcome

          Reply
          • Kyle Cooper
            Kyle Cooper Gholamreza Varposhti • 2 years ago

            Hi,

            I would also love to find out how to do this and if you have worked with voice recording yet? Any feed back would be great as I am currently looking at recording another book.

            Reply
  43. Marq
    Marq • 4 years ago

    I do a podcast on iTunes but would luc to write and narrate an audio blog/book.
    Is there any thing u could help me with?
    Cheers

    Reply
  44. Miles Trombley
    Miles Trombley • 5 years ago

    I never done that before. Might be interesting, although I can type fast.

    Reply
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