Belay my last (Blog). (That’s Navy talk for ignore the last blog.)
Google Text to Speech App has become too hard to use. After talking to an engineer (that has nothing to do with Google) I found out that Google Text to Speech was written by programmers for programmers. And it was made to translate a short script of only a few words. I’m a writer not a programmer. And I need thousands of words converted to speech.
This lead to a search for another program.
I started to use Google Translate. Today Google improved the App and removed the speech function from the app. Way to go Google, take something that’s usable and make it less usable.
Many sites recommend Natural Reader. So I gave it a try. I had trouble getting the program to read my text.
The problem is Natural Reader has a limited number of file types it can handle. Even if I copy and pasted the text there were enough hidden embedded characters from Libre Office Writer to confuse Natural Reader and bomb the App. It doesn’t like the .odt file type.
Also the full version of Natural Writer cost $9.99 a month. Not worth it since I will use it only after I have written a book. So I’m stuck with the free version and 20 minutes a day of conversion.
Sit back and listen to the speech. Be ready to take notes.
Recap;
- You have to read your book out loud. This will show you errors or rough spots in your writing that your eyes won’t catch.
- You have to have your book read to you by some one else. Having your not-quite-ready book read can strain a friend ship. Having an electronic Gamma Reader is the way to go. Unfortunately if you’re not secure as a writer the electronic reader can depress you. Don’t give up. You writing is not that bad.
- You have to have your manuscript professionally edited.
Writing is work. Editing hurts, hurts bad.
Having your book read by an electronic reader gives you an idea of how a group at a book signing would hear your book if you read a passage at a book signing.
Stay strong, write on, and have your book read to you.
Professor Hyram Voltage