Some author friends have suggested that I dictate my books so that I can write more books faster. Let me explain why I prefer handwritten drafts. In response to an author friend’s struggle to use her dictation software, I told her this:
This is why I had a hard time dictating. My brain doesn’t work like that. I don’t want to “re-train” my brain to fit the dictation tools when I have spent many years un-training my brain to think freely. When I think freely and in non-linear form, my creative juices flow more, and I feel a satisfaction in my writing life. I view writing as an art form, and I really enjoy it. I don’t want it to be a chore. I actually prefer to draft on blank paper with no lines on it. Sometimes I do use lined paper to write when I’m out of blank paper. It’s a psychological free-form. Back in the days when I used to paint on blank canvas, I “saw” the art before I painted. Funny how it translates into writing for me. I also really love using pen on paper. It’s an artistic expression for me. Dictating will change my creative habits, so I don’t want to rock the boat, so to speak.
I am not looking to write faster per se, even though I need the income. I want to write at a deeper level. I’m not writing literary works, but my background is more attuned to literary writing. I used to write poetry, for example. What I want to get to is the balance between enjoying writing as an art and also having my art produce income. I think I can strike a balance. But it might mean I have to take my time to find the right words to say, etc.
Having said all that, I am not dictation-adverse. In fact, I do use it take notes from time to time when I am away from my desk and have no pen-and-paper to write on. However, as a daily tool, it’s not my top preference.