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How to Write Your Book While Driving with Dictation

Updated: Oct 17, 2022




This hack helps me maintain word counts while I run errands. As a published author, writing a certain amount of words each month to maintain deadlines is important to my career and this dictation app has been a lifesaver.


Easily dictate your novel with your phone, saving you time while drafting a novel
How to Dictate a Book

Disclaimer: Drive responsibly. I will explain in this blog article how I write using an app on my phone without touching my phone while driving. I am not responsible for any damage to your car or person if you drive irresponsibly.


And if you are here from TikTok or Instagram - Hi! Learn more about my fiction series, the Fated Tales Series, part of these books were dictated with this technique.



How to Dictate Your Book Using Your Phone



Step 1: Download the Dictation app from the app store and create your account. There is a free trial and I am on the yearly plan.


Step 2: Plug in your phone to your car and click the start button before you start button before. you start driving. I recommend using this app for 30 minute drives or less. After 30 minutes, my phone usually starts to feel warm.


Step 3: Write your book with your voice! Click the help button on the app to see available commands. You can skip lines, create quotes, anything you'd normally do!


Step 4: Turn off the app when you get to your destination. Don't touch your phone while driving.


Step 5: Copy and paste the words into your writing app when you get to your destination. I use Scrivener or Novlr.org on my phone. If you have neither, you can email the words to yourself to edit on your computer.


Step 6: Edit your words on your writing software.



Q&A:

  • "Do you need to hold your phone to your lips?" No! If your phone is plugged in, the app will use your car speakers. Leave your phone in your cup holder.

  • "How many words can you do in half an hour?" Anywhere from 500 to 1,000. Speaking is faster than writing and by using dictation you aren't second-guessing your words as often as when you type.

If you have any questions, let me know and I'll add it to the Q&A.


You are unstoppable, Rebecca


First Photo: Vehicle in Traffic

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