Reading Out Loud

[Claire Young]

When I posted the very beginning of my novel months ago, sheesh, I received comments from leslee and jayce (thanks again). leslee advised me to read it out loud. I read so fast, I didn't know if it would help me or not. Let me tell you, I'm reading through all the pages so far, and it has helped tremendously. There's something about the flow and rhythm that stands out and improves those silent words on the pages.

Just saying, you might want to try it as well.

Claire

[Keith .]

I always had someone read my queries aloud to me. When you create something, it's easy to assume others will pause or accent where you intended and in your intended rhythm. It's eye opening to say the least.

[leslee]

I'm glad it's working for you, Claire.

I think it's valuable for every writer to read their entire manuscript out loud so they can hear it. You catch a lot of clunkers that way, like wrong notes played on a piano.

[Jena Grace]

I always read my manuscripts out loud. I also rope a family member into reading them TO me. I think I find more mistake that way.

[Lea Zalas]

A while back someone on here recommended Natural Reader. I downloaded and it has saved my MS from horrible little mistakes. The problem with reading it yourself, if you've missed putting in a word (i.e. but, and, with, for, etc.) but you've always missed it when reading because your brain thinks it should be there, and therefore, automatically inserts it while reading, the same thing will happen even when you read it aloud.

[leslee]

That sounds like a good program, Lea. I've never heard of it before.

I don't think it replaces reading aloud. When a writer reads their manuscript aloud, they catch more than missing words. They hear the way the words fall, the pace of the sentences, the ideas that aren't developed the way the writer thought they were, and sometimes new ideas come that enhance the writing.

In my experience, working with writers and in my own writing, nothing beats it.

[Claire Young]

My brain doesn't miss words when I read aloud. That's what is so cool about it. I don't have a problem with the words you mentioned, though. Reading aloud enables me to strike out what isn't needed or to add what I think is needed. I've marked up just about every page, the same pages I've read silently almost to the point of memorization! I usually eliminate words or entire sentences.

I'll check out Natural Reader. Thanks, Lea.

[Henry Castle]

Lea, I tried Natural Reader. It's working for me. I've read my scenes so many times that I miss things because I have them memorized. When there is no one to read to me this helps. I've used it for my first five scenes, finding one or two things, per scene, I need to change.

[Avonne Writer]

A while back someone on here recommended Natural Reader. I downloaded and it has saved my MS from horrible little mistakes. The problem with reading it yourself, if you've missed putting in a word (i.e. but, and, with, for, etc.) but you've always missed it when reading because your brain thinks it should be there, and therefore, automatically inserts it while reading, the same thing will happen even when you read it aloud.

Lea- you should post this in the resources section. That is, if you haven't already.

[Lea Zalas]

You're welcome, Claire.

Henry, glad it could help you. It helped me the same way.

I'll do that, Avonne. And I still say "thank you" to the person who first recommended it here. It was a great tool for me.