It’s time for another edition of The Insecure Writer’s Support Group, founded by Ninja Captain, Alex J. Cavanaugh.
December 3 question - As a writer, what was one of the coolest/best gifts you ever received?
Many years ago, I received the Dragon Naturally Speaking voice to text program. It worked really well for non-fiction. (Fiction required a lot of extra commands, which has probably since changed.)
I also received Rocketbook Wave, which is a reusable notebook. After you write a page, you can store it in the app on your phone and when you fill it up, just nuke it in the microwave and it clears the pages! (Comes with special pen.)
Now most of my gifts tend to be kitchen or garden related!
December is a busy, busy month (and on top of it, I'm doing physical therapy, trying to get my hand to properly work and fingers to bend again after my carpal tunnel surgery) so I shall wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
If my tendonitis acts up again, I'll be trying Dragon Naturally Speaking once more, too. I struggled with it, though. It didn't seem to understand my accent and I got distracted putting dialogue punctuation in. I bet it's a lot more sophisticated now.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas!
Those were some cool writing gifts. Gotta say, I never heard of either one but Rocketbook Wave sounds interesting. Merry Christmas to you, and a safe and happy new year!
ReplyDeleteI never messed with Dragon Speaking Naturally, but I did consider trying it. Unfortunately, I'm much better spoken when I have to type rather than when I speak. LOL. But my husband is the opposite. I also wonder how it's improved -- especially in this AI age.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a merry Christmas!
I hope your physical therapy helps. The Dragon Speaking Naturally sounds like a great gift. Happy Holidays!
ReplyDeleteYou get to nuke the book - that's cool! Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteI'm terrified of writing programs but that one sounds great.
ReplyDeleteThat notebook sounds cool! I use Word's read aloud function but haven't ever tried voice to text.
ReplyDeleteThose are some pretty cool writer gifts! Hope your physical therapy goes well. Have a Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteGreat gifts! I haven't used Dragon Naturally speaking, but it was a software some students were using when I was teaching at a virtual school. And I haven't dusted it off in awhile, but I love using a Rocketbook! I didn't know that the microwave erases the page--thank you!
ReplyDeletePrayers for your physical therapy. It's always tough, but worth it.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas!
You received some great gifts! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Diane.
ReplyDeleteI remember Dragon. I had it, but didn't care for it. But not speech to text is everywhere and it's all pretty darn good.
ReplyDeleteI hope you hand feels better soon. That's rough.
Merry Christmas!
Love the gifts, but the gift givers moving to garden and kitchen presents sound like they are hinting they need to be fed. Just sayin' get out your platters. hehehe
ReplyDeleteAnna from elements of emaginette
Gadgets could help a great deal, especially when we are getting older.
ReplyDeleteWhat thoughtful and practical gifts, Diane! I hope that your physical therapy fixes your hand. That must be really frustrating! Enjoy your Christmas! Take care of you!
ReplyDeleteNever knew there was such a book. I've tried dragon back in the day, never could get it to come out right.
ReplyDeleteThat Rocketbook wave sounds really interesting!
ReplyDeleteHealing thoughts.
ReplyDeleteThose are way cool. Microwaving a notebook? I think I want one.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth, that's why I didn't like it for fiction, but I bet they have improved it.
ReplyDeleteNatalie, my therapist told me today my strength has doubled!
Jenni, double-check yours first before you fry your microwave. LOL
Tyrean, I am making great progress.
Anna, and I am happy to feed them.
Fundy, it is, but I have made some great progress.
I've never tried any dictation more sophisticated than Siri taking dictation for an email (I'll send them to myself when I've recorded stuff while out walking). I'm pretty sure there's better stuff on my phone, but I can start an email even without my reading glasses, which is important sometimes!
ReplyDeleteThat notebook sounds cool. There is something better about writing things down. I'm always forgetting to take a notebook out and about and make notes in my phone, but I transfer it to my notebook as soon as I get home!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a couple of fascinating computer programmes/writing tools.
ReplyDeleteI hope you recover from your surgery soon and that your hand will go back to normal soon.
Have a Merry Christmas!
Cool gifts. Never heard of the rocketbook wave. Have a Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteWhat helpful gifts for a writer. I tried dictating on Office 365. I was just getting the hang of it, but it took me dictating the entire project to feel comfortable. Lots of editing!
ReplyDeleteWhat great gifts. Hope physical therapy goes well. Take care of yourself. Happy Holidays.
ReplyDeleteI'm not familiar with either of these but they sound very helpful. I can't say what my best writer gifts are. Mostly people give me very low tech items like journals and pens, always appreciated.
ReplyDelete