Lately I’ve been finding that I am much more productive and the words flow more naturally if I write my work-in-progress novel by hand. This is despite being a really fast touch typist. Part of the reason may be that I associate my computer with work and am more averse to sitting down at my desk to type than curling up in bed or on the sofa with a beautiful notebook and pretty coloured pen.
Of course, this adds an extra step into the writing process. I then have to type each handwritten chapter into the computer afterwards. On the plus side, I do a few extra edits as I do that, so the first typescript becomes the second draft.
Enter the Dragon
I can speed up that process by dictating the manuscript via my Dragon voice recognition software, which then types the words on the screen for me. I definitely recommend this process, but at the moment post-cold hoarseness is limiting the amount of time I can comfortably dictate. But at least I’ve stopped coughing now, which always confused my Dragon. You think with its fire-breathing heritage, a Dragon ought to be more sympathetic to throat problems.
Productivity Plus
Two further plus points:
- I’m fast eroding my stockpile of notebooks (couldn’t fit any more in my notebook drawer)
- I’ve just worked out that since Christmas I’ve been averaging more than 2,000 words a day
Go, me! And now I’m off to plant some more trees…. *
Useful Links
- If you’d like to know more about what I’ve been scribbling on that heap of screwed-up notebook pages, click here to find a preview of my forthcoming series of cosy mystery novels, the Sophie Sayers Village Mysteries, including the opening chapter of the first one.
- Click here if you’d like me to let you know when each one is about to launch.
- If you’re interested in finding out more about Dragon voice recognition software, click here.