Every couple of years, I get lured back into trying dictation for my fiction.
It dangles a very sweet promise: faster words, less strain, more output.
And given the pressures on authors right now—AI competition, shifting markets, the need to produce books more efficiently—those promises can be intoxicating.
But after my fourth serious trial, I’m calling it: for me, dictation is dead. At least for now.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
For context, I’ve tracked my writing speed for years. On the keyboard, I average a steady 1,200–1,300 words/hour—and those are clean words.
The kind of prose I wouldn’t be embarrassed to see out in public. Minimal editing needed.
In my latest dictation trial:
- Dictation + clean-up averaged 1,500 words/hour.
- That’s a modest bump, but with caveats:
- I had to stop every few pages to clean the script.
- I was constantly aware of the software’s quirks.
- Quality checks slowed me down.
Then came the kicker:
Last weekend, I wrote 4 hours on Saturday and nearly 12 on Sunday (yes, I was on a roll).
Both days, I averaged 1,653 words/hour—faster than dictation-with-clean-up could manage.
That shocked me. And it killed stone dead any justification for continuing the trial.
Why Dictation Falls Short for Me
Even ignoring the numbers, here’s what makes dictation a non-starter in my current workflow:
- Location Lock-In
I can only dictate effectively at my desktop. On the laptop, it’s buggy, slow, and distracting. That limits my ability to write anywhere, anytime. - Tech Headspace
Dictation demands I monitor the software as I speak. One-third of my attention is on fixing misheard words instead of staying in story mode. - Editing Overhead
Unlike typing—where my corrections are instant and invisible—dictation mistakes pile up. Cleaning them breaks my creative flow. - False Speed Gains
If I have to stop, fix, and clean extensively, the real words-per-hour advantage shrinks or disappears.
The Pros of Dictation (Yes, There Are Some)
To be fair, dictation does have potential advantages—especially for other writers:
- Ergonomic Relief: For those with wrist or hand issues, it’s a literal career-saver. A few years ago, when I broke my right arm, dictation let me continue working.
- Higher Raw Speeds: Once mastered, some writers hit 3,000+ words/hour.
- Hands-Free Flexibility: In theory, you can dictate while walking, commuting, or doing chores.
If you’re a slower typist, the math may work in your favor. But you must trial it, give yourself time to adapt, and factor in the mental shift from typing to speaking your story.
My Future with Dictation
Right now? It’s a hard “no.” This trial was short but utterly conclusive.
That said, I’m not writing off the future.
AI is already making massive leaps in language recognition. Microsoft ships dictation in Word and Office—it’s terrible today, but that could change fast. I’ve seen how tools like MidJourney went from laughable to jaw-dropping in a single year. Dictation could have the same “ten years in twelve months” leap.
When the tech is close to flawless and ubiquitous, I’ll give it another shot. Until then, my keyboard stays king.
Bottom line:
If dictation + clean-up gets you more net words/hour than typing, use it.
If it doesn’t, and you’re already a clean, fast typist, don’t let the promise seduce you away from what’s working.
For me, the numbers are clear—and I’ll take data over hype any day.
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