Life with chronic illness always keeps us on our toes. Recently, life decided to add a new challenge to the list. I have been dealing with sudden eye problems that have partially blocked my vision in both eyes.
After two terrifying trips to the emergency room, I am told this problem is mostly temporary. But this unexpected hurdle has added to my inability to finish formatting and publishing the two books I was ready to launch. Timing is everything. When my vision went partially dark for the week, everything stopped, briefly.
I am no stranger to figuring out how to move forward with a disability. Still, a setback like this was a blow. I wanted to lift my spirits, and for me, that always means creating.
I spent the week speaking the end of The Indigo Secret, which is one of my current favorite novels that I have worked on in the background. Because my vision was limited, I had to use text-to-speech and voice-to-text software to finish the story.
It has been a fascinating experience. It resulted in a much faster storytelling pace and a stream-of-consciousness style. My raw draft is now full of spoken notes like, “Let me think what comes next,” which makes me laugh. However, I also found that dictation helps me write much faster. I am unable to stop and worry about editing, again and again, like I usually do.
This experience has changed how I view my own work. I want my writing to be accessible to everyone. Therefore, I am making a concerted effort to ensure my future books and blog posts are helpful for text-to-speech software.
Why You Will See My Writing Style Change
In the past, I used a lot of contractions in my writing. Words like it is became it’s, and would not became wouldn’t. I did this because I thought it made the prose feel more natural on the page.
I have learned that contractions can sound glitchy when read aloud by assistive software. They can sound choppy or confusing.
From now on, you will notice me writing out full words. I will write is not, would not, and it is. This is completely purposeful. It allows digital voices to read the text with better flow and clarity.
Accessibility Benefits Everyone
This change is not just for readers who have vision loss. Text-to-speech software is used by fully sighted people every day. Many readers prefer to listen to a book while they wash dishes, drive, or rest their eyes after a long day.
By making my writing friendly for digital speech, I hope more people are able to comfortably enjoy my stories.
The ocean where I currently find solace, in Vlorë, Albania.
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