If your books sounds good

Lidiya · May 22, 2013

Whenever I want to see whether what I've written, I paste it into Google Translate to see how it sounds. Despite the weird pauses and glitches, it actually gives me a good idea.

Does anyone else do this (or have a better app like Google Translate to read out loud to them?). I don't know, I just 'hear' my mistakes better if someone's reading it out loud for me.

Chris P · May 22, 2013

Cool idea. I used to participate in a club where other people would read your work out loud, and it was really enlightening. I might have to try your suggestion.

Kerosene · May 22, 2013

I'd second reading it outloud.

Similar to this, there's a technique where you have someone who's a bad actor, or a computer, to read back your story to hear where the dry bits are--you'll be surprised how boring the writing can be.

Animad345 · May 22, 2013

Reading out loud is such a fantastic way of spotting issues in dialogue and places where the words don't flow. I may have to try that, but I'm concerned the robot will mispronounce character names and distract me!

KateSmash · May 22, 2013

I use the native sight impaired speech function on my Mac (pretty sure most PCs have something similar. IDK about ChromeOS or Linux). A few of the voices are decently human-sounding enough that they really only struggle with nonstandard names and foreign words. Despite being a bit choppy, It really does help when I can't stand to look at words any more.

Although, if I need a pick me up, I'll run the alien or bubble voice over some 15 year old fanfic. Also fun with passages from a certain bondage erotica mega hit from last year.

dangerousbill · May 22, 2013

Lidiya said:
Whenever I want to see whether what I've written, I paste it into Google Translate to see how it sounds. Despite the weird pauses and glitches, it actually gives me a good idea.

I use ReadPlease Pro to do the same thing. It's like having your work read to you by Stephen Hawking. You can get a free version that only accepts a couple of thousand words at a time to try it out.
www.readplease.com

I also use a voice recorder like DAK to convert the spoken word into mp3 files so I can listen to it at my leisure.

Lidiya · May 22, 2013

dangerousbill said:
I use ReadPlease Pro to do the same thing. It's like having your work read to you by Stephen Hawking. You can get a free version that only accepts a couple of thousand words at a time to try it out.
www.readplease.com

I also use a voice recorder like DAK to convert the spoken word into mp3 files so I can listen to it at my leisure.

I just downloaded it! I especially love how if you click on the reader's face they make comments about it xD

Chris P · May 22, 2013

I've never used it, but Word has a text to speech function: http://office.microsoft.com/en-001/word-help/using-the-speak-text-to-speech-feature-HA102066711.aspx

C. G. Hagy · May 22, 2013

I just bought a $10 microphone and record myself reading, then play it back and read along.

Substitious · May 22, 2013

What a brilliant idea! Kinda exciting to hear your words read back to you, even if it is a bit stilted.

Thanks for the suggestion.

boozysassmouth · May 22, 2013

That's a great idea! I'm going to have to try it, thanks for sharing.

ChrisElfy · May 23, 2013

I read stuff out loud. A lot of writers recommend it and when something sounds wrong tonally it really stands out and helps you correct it.

nomadictendencies · May 23, 2013

Yes, I often read things aloud. When I'm stuck with a sentence or paragraph that doesn't sound right I find it really useful to record on GarageBand so I can see what the story flows like using the wave forms - it helps me get a better perspective of the cadence and 'shape' of what I'm trying to write.

sitalakshmi · May 23, 2013

I'll support reading aloud. I find that I hit the weak spots accurately then.

Lidiya · May 24, 2013

Chris P said:
I've never used it, but Word has a text to speech function: http://office.microsoft.com/en-001/word-help/using-the-speak-text-to-speech-feature-HA102066711.aspx

Huh, I never knew about that! Thanks, it's much clearer than Google Translate.

WriteMinded · May 24, 2013

On occasion I use Text Aloud, was able to get a couple of good voices for cheap.

JoBird · May 24, 2013

Chris P said:
I've never used it, but Word has a text to speech function: http://office.microsoft.com/en-001/word-help/using-the-speak-text-to-speech-feature-HA102066711.aspx

Holy crap. I didn't know this existed either.

The voice is so creepy. And it pronounces wind (as in, the wind blew) like wind (as in, someone remember to wind the clock).

Cathy C · May 24, 2013

Lidiya said:
Huh, I never knew about that! Thanks, it's much clearer than Google Translate.

Also, Google Translate has in their terms and conditions that they KEEP whatever you put into that little box indefinitely (supposedly to better their product) and may use or display it at their will. This was an eye-opening article for me that I've since verified by reading the actual terms. (Sending you to the text only cached version as my virus protection had a problem with the main site.

I'd go with Microsoft and keep it in-house.

jjdebenedictis · May 24, 2013

Chris P said:
I've never used it, but Word has a text to speech function: http://office.microsoft.com/en-001/word-help/using-the-speak-text-to-speech-feature-HA102066711.aspx

D'oh, I'd love to try this out, but it's only on "new" Word, which I have to use at work and which I loathe.

Gonna have to get a new laptop soon. I'm dreading having to upgrade to that damned ribbon interface.

buz · May 24, 2013

Chris P said:
I've never used it, but Word has a text to speech function: http://office.microsoft.com/en-001/word-help/using-the-speak-text-to-speech-feature-HA102066711.aspx

All my writing has just gotten five thousand times more hilarious.

I find it interesting that it can't pronounce "malignance" correctly but doesn't skip a beat on "asshattery."

Animad345 · May 24, 2013

buzhidao said:
All my writing has just gotten five thousand times more hilarious.

I find it interesting that it can't pronounce "malignance" correctly but doesn't skip a beat on "asshattery."

It can't pronounce 'lunged' but it's pretty hot on profanity.

I just listened to an entire conversation between my characters and the tone was absolutely spot-on for every line! Damn.

Thanks for sharing, Chris.

Fallen · May 24, 2013

Typical, I have no 'speach' in my 'all commands' menu. But I do use/have Read&Write 9. I always give my work the once/twice audio go over. I have a habit of missing out the articles, so it helps pick lack of the beggars up.

King God Kong Zilla · May 25, 2013

I recently set this up on my Mac and am now using it to edit my book. It's an excellent tool! You notice mistakes or awkward parts even more when someone else is reading it to you.

Thanks for the advice.

Rufus Coppertop · May 26, 2013

Google translate sounds a bit like Julia Gillard after consuming a bottle of vodka.

Does it have an American accent if you use in over in The States?

LA*78 · May 26, 2013

Rufus Coppertop said:
Google translate sounds a bit like Julia Gillard after consuming a bottle of vodka.

Does it have an American accent if you use in over in The States?

Oh I want to try this now! I used the Word speak function and it has a very American accent. Some of the pronunciations are hilarious!

If your books sounds good

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