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In this episode, Kevin Tumlinson sits down with acclaimed author Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer to dive deep into one of the hottest productivity hacks for writers: dictation! If you’ve ever wondered whether speaking your book can really work, what tools make it easy, or how your writing voice might change when you ditch the keyboard, this episode is for you!
Sarah reveals her journey from failed first attempts at dictation to mastering a process that helped her write 14 novels on her phone. She breaks down the brain science, busts dictation myths, and shares specific actionable steps for hesitant writers—including Kevin! They discuss practical tools, health benefits, ways to train your creative mind, the top three dictation methods, and how a simple change can unleash your best ideas.
Tune in for tips, laughs, and encouragement to break past your blocks and supercharge your writing routine.
Show links:
FictionCourses.com/dictation – Free Scrivener + dictation mini-course and dictation quick-start guide
Sarah's Dictation Boot Camp – Live 3-day event teaching you to dictate fiction (offered April & October; enrollment info on the site)
FictionCourses Substack – Join Sarah’s 5-Minute Fictation Club
Kevin’s Substack – Updates, behind-the-scenes, and more
Watch on YouTube
Key Topics & Timestamps:
[00:00:00] – Welcome & intro to dictation topic
[00:05:22] – Sarah's early attempts and epic failures
[00:09:30] – The breakthrough: dictating a novel scene while doing the dishes
[00:14:23] – Can anyone become a “fictator”? (Brain science & training)
[00:17:08] – About the Fictation course and Bootcamp
[00:21:16] – Overcoming feeling self-conscious using dictation
[00:27:28] – Three methods for dictating fiction
[00:31:10] – Favorite tools & apps for dictation (Scrivener, Voice Memo, etc.)
[00:34:24] – Homework: How to start with dictation if you’re stuck
[00:35:20] – Where to find Sarah’s courses & resources
[00:37:33] – Kevin’s reflections: reinventing writing routines & final thoughts
Ready to break out of your comfort zone, try dictation, and boost your writing productivity? Subscribe and hit the bell for more interviews, inspiration, and writing strategies on the Wordslinger Podcast! 🔔
#writing #authors #dictation #amwriting #productivity
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