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Fool Proof Dictation: A No-Nonsense System for Effective & Rewarding Dictation
Become a dictator for life!
Fool Proof Dictation can help anyone learn to dictate prose proficiently and fluently. How?
By taking the fear and mystery out of dictation. By providing exercises designed to nurture and connect parts of the brain used during dictation. By offering specific tips to remove the discomfort that causes most writers to abandon dictation.Fool Proof Dictation is the only ebook of its kind, focusing primarily on the mental process of dictation. It’s a self-paced training system that streamlines the dictation process. There are warm-ups, practical exercises, and an easy to follow routine for dictating your scenes.
Fool Proof Dictation serves both absolute beginners and writers who’ve tried dictation but grew discouraged, eventually giving it up. This system offers an ease-of-use that will surprise everyone with how effective and gratifying dictation can be!
This ebook details the method I use when I dictate fiction. It also explains all the exercises I’ve used over time to train my brain for effective dictation. On top of that, it includes enough prompts to keep those exercises working for months!
128 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 6, 2017
159 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 19, 2017
On the heels of Chris Downing’s fantastic book the Fool Proof Outline comes his latest kick-butt book, Fool Proof Dictation.
I’ve read other books about dictating with Dragon Naturally speaking but Chris’s system takes it all to another level. It’s like reading something I would have written had I taken the time to do the work, practice, test different ideas, practice, do the research, practice, test some more until it was successful, and then create a polished system.
This is a thorough, workable, and easy to follow system. It walks you step-by-step through the process, helping to build your dictation abilities and confidence along the way. Following his methods you get incrementally more comfortable working with a mic/recorder, and talking out loud, and telling stories in an increasingly coherent and entertaining manner to an audience you can’t see.
I’ve started using Fool Proof Dictation to write my stories, but when you think about it this method has uses that go well beyond dictating a novel (think blogging, public speaking, audiobooks, podcasting…)
The system in this book takes a dyslexic and slow reader/writer like me to where I’m producing 3,000 to 5,000 words in the same time it took me to write 1,000 type-written words. And I’m just getting started.
I wholeheartedly recommend Fool Proof Dictation.
I’ve read other books about dictating with Dragon Naturally speaking but Chris’s system takes it all to another level. It’s like reading something I would have written had I taken the time to do the work, practice, test different ideas, practice, do the research, practice, test some more until it was successful, and then create a polished system.
This is a thorough, workable, and easy to follow system. It walks you step-by-step through the process, helping to build your dictation abilities and confidence along the way. Following his methods you get incrementally more comfortable working with a mic/recorder, and talking out loud, and telling stories in an increasingly coherent and entertaining manner to an audience you can’t see.
I’ve started using Fool Proof Dictation to write my stories, but when you think about it this method has uses that go well beyond dictating a novel (think blogging, public speaking, audiobooks, podcasting…)
The system in this book takes a dyslexic and slow reader/writer like me to where I’m producing 3,000 to 5,000 words in the same time it took me to write 1,000 type-written words. And I’m just getting started.
I wholeheartedly recommend Fool Proof Dictation.
January 11, 2018
In a writing rut - or just want to catapult yourself into a new, more productive (and more rewarding) way of getting your books written? Here's a strategy -- go hands free! Christopher provides a practical, step-by-step approach for serious working writers to get more work out there, with more joy in the creation. I used this to push into a totally different type of book and - it's working. If your writing method needs a fresh take, if you want to write in another genre or for a completely different audience, and even if you're having some health issues from too much sitting while writing - this could be the breakthrough you need now. This strategy and method also works well with what this author presents in the first book in this series, Fool Proof Outlining, if you write fiction or use storytelling in your non-fiction. Great series, great tools for writers at any stage in their careers who want to hone their craft and up their productivity.
September 7, 2018
I've been looking into dictation as a way to increase my writing productivity now that I'm spending more time on the road, and I picked this up after hearing the author as a guest on an author podcast I listen to.
If you're looking for a definitive guide on "how to" use dictation software, this isn't the place to start. Rather, this focuses on how to switch your brain from typing thoughts to speaking them, which may sound easy but is definitely an acquired skill. The author's approach here is to run through some mental drills and setup prior to a dictation session, drills that take more time then the dictation itself. By this he claims dictation can grow exponentially better.
Admittedly, much of his advice isn't optimized for someone driving a car while dictating, but I liked the philosophy and look forward to implementing what I can.
If you're looking for a definitive guide on "how to" use dictation software, this isn't the place to start. Rather, this focuses on how to switch your brain from typing thoughts to speaking them, which may sound easy but is definitely an acquired skill. The author's approach here is to run through some mental drills and setup prior to a dictation session, drills that take more time then the dictation itself. By this he claims dictation can grow exponentially better.
Admittedly, much of his advice isn't optimized for someone driving a car while dictating, but I liked the philosophy and look forward to implementing what I can.
January 23, 2019
I surveyed a couple books about dictation as this is a thing I'm going to try with my writing this year. This one was by far the best. This is a slim book that covers one specific topic well. Downing lays out the system that he developed for himself with explanations about why it is effective. He is careful to say that what works for him may not work for everyone, and encourages the reader to explore and use the process that works best for them. I love that there are very specific guided exercises to learn dictation along with a large set of prompts for ongoing warm-up exercises.
Dragon Dictation is the default software in this book and as Dragon has decided to stop supporting Mac, I won't be using it, but I think the speech recognition has advanced enough that some of his warnings about native apps and bluetooth tech are no longer necessary.
Dragon Dictation is the default software in this book and as Dragon has decided to stop supporting Mac, I won't be using it, but I think the speech recognition has advanced enough that some of his warnings about native apps and bluetooth tech are no longer necessary.
August 1, 2018
Great book for upping your dictation game!
I’m one of those writers who has played with dictation but hasn’t found a consistent way for it to work for me. I came across this book from watching the author on Joanna Penn’s interview on the topic. I like his approach and the practical exercises in this book good examples of his practice. It’s certainly a skill set I need to be better at and see where it can be beneficial.
I’m one of those writers who has played with dictation but hasn’t found a consistent way for it to work for me. I came across this book from watching the author on Joanna Penn’s interview on the topic. I like his approach and the practical exercises in this book good examples of his practice. It’s certainly a skill set I need to be better at and see where it can be beneficial.
November 23, 2017
A really quick and informative read on how to take your writing to the next level by using dictation instead of a keyboard to input your novel.
I read it in an afternoon and although there are some filler text/photos/tips at the end, the parts that are relevant, are well worth a read and you can skim over the rest.
5000 words per hour is an achievable target and the author explains that once you start using dictation, your mindset will develop the more you practice until you find yourself dictating prose that needs very little correction.
Is it cheating if we dictate? If it's your ideas and it speeds up the process, I don't see a problem.
I read it in an afternoon and although there are some filler text/photos/tips at the end, the parts that are relevant, are well worth a read and you can skim over the rest.
5000 words per hour is an achievable target and the author explains that once you start using dictation, your mindset will develop the more you practice until you find yourself dictating prose that needs very little correction.
Is it cheating if we dictate? If it's your ideas and it speeds up the process, I don't see a problem.
February 12, 2018
This is a great book. I have been a slacker lately and haven't been using Dragon, but I'm hoping I'll get back into it when things are a bit calmer around here! The book does a fantastic job of walking you through how to get the most use out of your dictation software.
July 31, 2018
This is a good book for those that want to learn to switch to dictation. I find I'm not as interested in following the patterns suggested in the book, but I do think if I had to switch to dictation that this is one good method. He writes and explains the concept well.
August 11, 2018
Amazing Skill Enhancement
A very doable dictation process. I can’t wait to see how much my writing improves. Just the excitement of finishing a WIP in under a year has allowed me to rethink my capabilities.
A very doable dictation process. I can’t wait to see how much my writing improves. Just the excitement of finishing a WIP in under a year has allowed me to rethink my capabilities.
August 18, 2018
Great Info!
I really enjoyed this book. The practical exercises are a really good way to hone one’s ability with dictation. Thank you for such an informative read.
I really enjoyed this book. The practical exercises are a really good way to hone one’s ability with dictation. Thank you for such an informative read.
October 20, 2019
This book motivated me to give dictation a go, because it acknowledges that the transition requires work.
August 9, 2020
There were a lot of information I had read in other books, about 75% but the other 25% was fantastic. Well worth the price and my time.
August 23, 2021
An actual method, rather than, “you should dictate because it’s really fast.”
August 20, 2018
Basic dictation book
Good exercises and an encouraging tone but would have liked a little more on Dragon’s nuances. Will be a good place to start.
Good exercises and an encouraging tone but would have liked a little more on Dragon’s nuances. Will be a good place to start.
November 20, 2017
Fool Proof Dictation
A set of really stretching exercises meant to improve your dictation. Wish the author would show his books! Try it.
A set of really stretching exercises meant to improve your dictation. Wish the author would show his books! Try it.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews