Voice to Text for Editors
Your job is shaping words, not typing them. Blurt lets you speak your inline comments, author feedback, and revision notes while keeping your focus on the manuscript. Hold a button, say your edit, release. Text appears right where your cursor sits — in Google Docs, Word, Scrivener, anywhere. No switching apps. No interrupting your reading flow. Just speak your expertise directly onto the page.
The Typing Problem
Writing inline comments while maintaining reading flow
You're deep in a manuscript, tracking the author's voice and narrative arc. Then you spot an issue. You need to leave a comment, but typing pulls you out of the text. By the time you've written your note, you've lost the thread. You have to reread the last paragraph to pick up where you left off. Each comment costs you momentum you can't afford.
Explaining style guide violations consistently
The author keeps using 'towards' when your house style requires 'toward'. You've flagged it twelve times already. Each time you type the same explanation with slight variations. Your fingers ache from repeating yourself. You wish you could just say it once and move on, but there's no way to insert verbal notes into the document.
Delivering constructive author feedback that doesn't sound curt
A section needs major restructuring. You know what to say — you could explain it warmly in conversation — but typing it out makes every word feel harsh. You rewrite the comment three times trying to soften the tone. What should take 30 seconds takes 5 minutes. Your natural voice gets lost in the friction of typing.
Tracking revisions across multiple passes
You're on your third pass through this chapter. Each read surfaces different issues — structure, then line edits, then fact-checking. Keeping track of what you've flagged and what still needs attention requires constant note-taking. Your revision notes pile up in a separate document because adding them inline takes too long.
Your wrists ache after a full day of manuscript work
Eight hours of editing means eight hours of typing comments, emails to authors, revision letters, and internal notes. By Friday your hands are cramping. You've tried ergonomic keyboards and wrist rests. Nothing helps when the fundamental problem is thousands of words of typing on top of your actual editing work.
How It Works
Blurt works in every app editors use — Google Docs, Microsoft Word, Scrivener, Adobe InCopy, email clients. Anywhere you can place a cursor.
Hold your hotkey
Press your chosen shortcut. A small indicator shows Blurt is listening.
Talk naturally
Say your comment, feedback, or revision note. Blurt handles punctuation.
Release and done
Text appears at your cursor. No copying, no pasting, no extra steps.
Real Scenarios
Adding inline comments without losing your place
You're reading a manuscript and notice an awkward transition. Instead of stopping to type, hold your hotkey and say 'This transition feels abrupt. Consider adding a sentence that bridges the change in setting.' Your comment appears in the margin while your eyes never left the text. You keep reading without missing a beat. Your natural editorial voice flows onto the page.
Explaining style guide requirements to authors
The author used 'which' where your style guide requires 'that' for restrictive clauses. Hold the button and speak: 'Per our house style, use that for restrictive clauses and which with a comma for non-restrictive. This sentence needs that because the clause is essential to the meaning.' Complete explanation in 5 seconds instead of 45 seconds of typing. Style guidance that actually teaches.
Writing developmental feedback on structure
Chapter seven buries the emotional climax in the middle of an action sequence. You need to explain why this weakens both elements. Hold and speak: 'Consider moving the reunion scene to after the chase sequence. Right now the emotional beat gets lost in the action. Readers need a moment to breathe before this payoff.' Structural notes captured while the insight is fresh.
Drafting author letters between editing passes
You've finished your first pass and need to summarize your overall impressions. Instead of staring at a blank email, hold your hotkey and talk through your thoughts: 'The manuscript has a strong voice and compelling protagonist. My main concerns are pacing in the second act and some inconsistencies in the timeline that I've flagged throughout.' First draft of your author letter spoken in under a minute.
Leaving notes for yourself on second-pass issues
You're doing a line edit but notice a potential plot hole that needs checking on your continuity pass. Don't break your current focus — hold the button and say 'Check this against chapter three — did the character already know this information?' Personal reminder placed instantly. Your line editing flow continues uninterrupted.
Responding to author queries in tracked changes
The author left a comment asking if a particular word choice works. Instead of typing a response, speak it: 'Yes, this works well. The more formal register fits the character's background as a diplomat.' Query addressed in 3 seconds. You've already moved to the next paragraph while your spoken response appears in the document.
Writing sensitivity notes with appropriate nuance
A passage handles a delicate topic in a way that needs adjustment. Typing makes you overthink every word. Instead, hold and speak naturally: 'This portrayal relies on a stereotype that many readers will find harmful. I'd suggest focusing on the character's individual motivations rather than cultural generalizations. Happy to discuss further.' Your genuine voice conveys care that typed words often strip away.
Why editors choose Blurt over built-in dictation
| Blurt | macOS Dictation | |
|---|---|---|
| Activation | Single hotkey, instant start | Click microphone icon or double-tap Fn |
| Speed | Text appears in under 500ms | 2-3 second delay before transcription |
| Accuracy | Handles editorial terminology well | Struggles with publishing jargon and style terms |
| Reliability | Works consistently every time | Often fails silently or requires restart |
| Punctuation | Automatic, intelligent punctuation | Requires saying 'comma' and 'period' out loud |
Frequently Asked Questions
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