Thanksgiving has come and gone and now we have Christmas breathing down our necks. Before we know it we’ll be slap dab in the middle of 2011. Sometimes I wish time would stand still and just let me catch my breath.
Before we left town to visit family, I received an email from my former agent telling me the “executed reversion came through” on The Groom Wore Blue Suede Shoes, and that she will mail it to me. I guess it’s a letter telling me Harlequin released the rights back to me. That’s one hurdle crossed. I’ve been online getting advice and suggestions from other writers about what to do and how to do it. Keep the title? Keep the pen name? Redo both? Should I self pub in book form or go Kindle with an ebook? But I’ve found another hurdle that will require a huge leap. I can’t find my copy of the book on any computer. I have the galleys—all kinds of hard copies. Remember, we’re going back to 1996. I think that computer has long been discarded. I cringe at the very thought of retyping this book so I’m investigating Dragon NaturallySpeaking, speech recognition software. Anyone work with it? I know several authors who do. It’s supposed to be new and improved these days.
Would you start typing today or would you opt for reading your book into the program?
Thoughts? Suggestions?
I hope you all had a blessed Thanksgiving. Let me hear from you.
13 comments:
I've heard good things about that voice recognition software and might like to give it a try myself. I did retype an entire novel I wrote as a teenager a few years back. I didn't find it that onerous a task.
You might want to take the plunge and retype it. I've heard the voice software has issues with accents and has caused problems in the past - mispellings etc. Besides, retyping might allow you the better chance for making any changes to the new edition. If you are like me, you get into a flow while typing; the left brain is occupieed with task allowing right brain to create. Good luck. Let us know what happens!
Knowing me I would start typing it again but the program you mentioned sounds terrific. It's just that I'm as dated as that computer you discarded. :)
I would retype but that's because I would much prefer typing to talking, and I'm not sure I'd trust voice recognition software to get it right, or spell the words right, or punctuate! But then, it all sounds farfetched, a computer geek I am NOT. Good luck with your book.
Wow. I couldn't possibly want to type it again, but it might be worth it. I have heard the software does have trouble recognizing certain words and correct spellings for such words as here and hear. Good luck.
And it would be nice if time would slow down.
Charles - A former secretary, I type really fast but I hate looking at a book or papers while I type--slows me down. And I keep thinking of all those partials I'm finding in the garage. :)
Sylvia--I'm hoping the new version is better. They say Dragon Home is 3 times faster than typing with up to 99% accuracy. I hope they aren't lying to me because I ordered it. :)
David-Thanks for stopping by. I've started the typing but you'll never convince me you're dated. ;)
Karen- The video I watched showed the guy saying punctuation too. Everything has to be verbalized. I hope it works. I'll let you know.
Hi Carole- you're right about the here and hear and to, too, two... I'll have to pay attention when I read into the program and make corrections as I go.
Ya'll have really made me nervous. Hope the program is as good as they promise.
My father-in-law was using some kind of voice-sctivated device over Thanksgiving. I wasn't paying much attention, but it seemed to work well.
Hi Angie... I wonder what it was your FIL was using. Probably a more expensive version of Dragon. I bought the 100.00 program (it was on sale) but I'm certain the more expensive one is better quality. I've typed 10 pages. It's not fun! :(
The ability to use the program sounds awesome. I have had to do the retyping of a book before *shudders at memory* and during the entire process I grossed, but I think I have made it better. I would look around for any bits and pieces I could find and copy and paste and type the rest.
I also want to tell you I'm doing a thirty day wassailing around the web to visit my favorite blogs. You are on my list for tomorrow- http://wade-inpublishing.blogspot.com
Hey, Jess! I once worked for an author who used Dragon Speak when she broke her arm. She said it didn't speak southern. :) However, that was years ago.
I'd suggest checking to see if you can scan the pages. I think some scanners convert it to a text document somehow.
Good luck!!
Hi Nancy... wow! wassailing. What fun. :) And I just went to your blog. You're too sweet to me.
Missy--hey girl, it's been awhile. Thanks for popping in...and the info. My husband told me I needed to go to Kinkos and ask some questions. Tomorrow!
Maybe Kinkos can rescue you! :)
I've typed chapter 1 already. NOT FUN!
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