You’ve seen this writing advice before:

1. Keep it simple
2. Write how you talk

The most common writing advice advocates simplicity and authenticity. Uncovering personal style, voice, and interests in the creative process is what takes time.

This led me to embark on a 28-day writing challenge, as I knew my biggest pain points extended beyond the act of writing itself. Consistently, discipline and developing ideas prove to be more demanding tasks.

After listening to an enlightening episode from the Write of Passage podcast, I acquired an AI tool that I now leverage to effectively address and minimize these challenges.

What is Otter?

Otter is (one of many) AI tools that record and transcribe voice memos in real time. It’s primarily marketed for professional use, often advertising transcription for Zoom calls and meetings.

Otter records and transcribes your voice memos, then summarizes your main points when done.

Outlined below is how I use Otter–and how you can too–to benefit me on my content creation journey.

Benefits of Otter

Out and about? Record a thought that pops into your head and review later. Creativity happens at the most mundane moments.

Can’t think of any ideas? Talk until something hits you. Review your recording and pick apart cool takeaways and phrases.

Talking something out with a friend? Keep a record of your thought process and epiphanies.

I work longer shifts, which is something that impacts my writing as I’m understandably more rushed at the end of the day to get things done. Last week at work I was thinking about what I wanted to write all day in order to give myself a gameplan for when I got home.

Driving back to my house, I was able to talk out my piece on Otter. My main points, thoughts, and takeaways were recorded for me to review when I got home to work on it.

My article ended up taking a different turn, as they often do, but this was incredibly helpful to get the ball rolling.

Otter, when I am stuck, has the ability to help me find jumping off points.

I Hate to Say it

But to leave you with a disclaimer: writing is writing. Writing is not transcribing voice memos and copy-pasting them to a document.

I actively choose to go through the difficult parts of the writing process because I know that it’s where I’ll grow.

Yes, unfortunately that blank page still needs to be stared at. A lot.

But using Otter, in moderation, has allowed me to work towards making the gap between my writing voice and speaking voice smaller. Helped me create content more efficiently. And helped me to record complex ideas on the go.

All a part of my process to take myself from being merely proficient in writing, to creating truly impactful work.