Useful Tip is Useful

[awanderingbard]

I saw a tip for writers on Pinterest yesterday, and discovered that it is actually very useful, so I am passing it along in case it helps others.

When you're done writing your story (or essay or paper or whatever), run it through a text-to-speech programme (the tip suggested Google Translate, which will read what you paste into it aloud if you press the speaker button, though make sure you're on English). You will definitely hear the mistakes, as, because you know what it's supposed to say, your mind fills in the gaps when you read it to yourself, but hearing it read aloud by something that doesn't know what it's supposed to say makes you pick up on all the missing words or wrong tenses, which is something I have a lot of trouble with.

It's also hilarious to hear a computer try to suss out your character names. My favourite was one UK Speech Programme which for some reason registered 'Siger' as something closer to 'Sigula'. And hearing the unemotional computer voice reading out your characters being emotional is also quite entertaining.

ETA: OMG, I got an extra birthday present today, Rainbow Dancing Water Speakers, and I just hooked them up and OMG, they are the best thing I have ever seen. Seriously. My speakers are dancing.

I am so easily entertained.

Comments

[aelfgyfu_mead]

Cute speakers!

[awanderingbard.livejournal.com]

Cute icon!

[joonscribble.livejournal.com]

Those speakers look so mesmerizing!

[awanderingbard.livejournal.com]

They are so awesome! I was really sceptical, and apparently Mum was, too, but my Dad had been super-insistent on them and was very proud of himself for finding them, and then I plugged them in and stared at them with a stupid grin on my face for about five minutes straight. There's something about the speakers moving to the music that makes the music seem more awesome, because it swells with the music swelling. It appeals to my synesthesia, maybe.

[joonscribble.livejournal.com]

I watched the video that shows you how they work. It totally makes the music more awesome.

[awanderingbard.livejournal.com]

When the lights are off or low, it's even better. It casts it on the ceiling, too. Seriously, one of the coolest things I have ever seen. And the speaker quality is good, too. The only complaint I have is you can hear the water whooshing if you're right up close, but from far away it's fine.