Using Talk-to-Text As a Writing Tool

by Julie Lavender @JLavenderWrites

Sometimes when I get stuck while working on a writing assignment, fresh air and talk-to-text are just what I need to get the creative muses stirring again. Something about being surrounded by God’s creations helps me think clearly, brainstorm new ideas, and formulate the words I want to complete my assignment. 

Have you tried creating short pieces with talk-to-text? 

Though I could use the note-taking app on my phone, the process that works best for me is to compose the article in an email to myself. I actually find that I don’t do as much self-editing when I’m walking and talking as I do when I’m plucking away at the keyboard. And, either way works for me – editing as I go or splashing the words onto the page and editing later. Sometimes I’m in the mood for one practice, and on other days the opposite works best.

When I’m stuck and need a change of scenery though, I usually prefer to get the words and ideas on the paper, and then edit later. 

That’s why composing my article through talk-to-text works well. 

I change into comfortable clothes to suit the temperature outside, lace up my walking shoes, and head out the door. Just like with any writing project, I pray over the manuscript first, then get started. 

I walk and talk aloud, composing my article as I get in my steps. I instruct my smart phone to insert the punctuation marks as I go, as well as the paragraph indentions. If I change thoughts along the way, I don’t always delete. Sometimes I leave the words in to alter later. And when I’m finished, I hit “send” and launch the email to myself. When I get back home after the walk, I have my first draft ready to pull up, copy, and paste into a word document. 

I make the necessary corrections, and for this southern girl, that means changing “riding” to “writing” throughout the paper, as well as fixing other dialect blunders. (You’d think if I purchased the phone in south Georgia, it would come with appropriate software to understand the words drawling from my lips.) 

I edit, edit, and re-edit, and my article is complete.

You know, I like to attribute fresh air and nature with my creative success, but God also designed our bodies in His magnificent, sovereign way such that a brisk walk encourages creativity through several processes. 

According to a report by the Mayo clinic, physical activity causes the brain to produce and release endorphins. These hormones help a person feel better and increase positivity – two qualities that encourage a writer’s creativity.

Walking (and other means of exercise) improves a person’s mood by lowering levels of anxiety, encouraging relaxation, and increasing self-confidence. Again – all show up as a boost to a writer’s creativity!

Physical activity reduces stress levels, too. The “feel-good” endorphin chemical can relieve the body’s stressors and help a writer forget (or at least put aside thoughts of) the stress and irritations of the day, giving the writer the mental ability to focus completely on the article or work at hand. 

And yet another study pointed out that exercise stimulates neurotransmitters that quite possibly encourage the growth of brain cells in the hippocampus. This recent study suggests that cells in the hippocampus enable a person to think of new ideas and situations – just what the doctor ordered for a writer! 

All that medical and scientific jargon aside … walking outside in God’s beautiful world heightens my creative muses and often helps me get un-stuck with a writing assignment. Speaking my words aloud in a talk-to-text email while walking gives me the opportunity to get additional steps in for my day, benefit my health, and complete my writing task. 

Have you used the talk-to-text function to compose a blog post or article? How did it work out for you? Share your thoughts below and join the conversation. 

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Using Talk-to-Text As a Writing Tool from author @JLavenderWrites on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Though Julie’s admitted lack of gracefulness limits her ability to walk and chew gum at the same time, she’s enjoyed multi-tasking opportunities of walking and composing articles, by way of talk-to-text, on a number of occasions. She’s the author of Children’s Bible Stories for Bedtime, published by a Penguin Random House Imprint, and 365 Ways to Love You Child: Turning Little Moments into Lasting Memories, published by Revell. She’s also written more than 1000 newspaper and magazine articles and enjoys encouraging fellow writers to get their foot in the door of the publishing industry with shorter pieces. Connect with Julie at julielavenderwrites.com and on social media platforms.