Tonight I Googled for free text to voice software. I wasn't expecting to stumble upon a professional program that would read aloud my WIP, but stumble I did. Second listing from the top was a link to Natural Reader Text to Voice Software. The welcome page began speaking as soon as it loaded. On the left side of the page are links to Natural Readers abilities and I tried them all. The free program was excellent for the use I wanted it for. After downloading the program I opened it up, wondering how I was going to hear my chapters read out loud.
On the bottom of the main control panel is a small button titled Go to miniboard. I selected it and a small control panel opened up. Holding the mouse button down, I moved it to the top of my page. Next I opened my MS Word Document and selected all of the text in that chapter. Clicking on the start button (on the miniboard) I was surprised to hear my text change to voice. I sat back and listened as the ladies voice read my script. I did notice a few places where commas were not needed so I edited it on the spot. My editing did not interfere with the text to speech process. One thing this program did was to pronounce a word incorrectly, or so I thought. After looking at the word I realized that I left out an R. This changed the meaning of the word. Funny, neither I nor my beta readers ever found this mistake.
There is also a professional version of this text to voice translator. The information for this and the free one is on their web page. This is a great editing tool.
Excellent discovery! I would have never thought to look for or use this tool. I will now. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThanks TK. We can get the word out by cross blogging. I also found a free, yet powerful, photo-editing tool. Last night I used it to morph two pictures together and add a title for my book trailer. The last software program, also free, was a wonderful writing program. I rate it 97% compared to MS Word, 2003. I will mention them in a later post.
ReplyDeleteDavid
I can't wait to hear about it. Sounds very cool, too. When will your book trailer be done? Can't wait to see it.
ReplyDeleteLast night I used that photo program I mentioned and morphed two pictures together, changed the color and appearance, added text and made the first two slides. I still need to think of the music I want to use. Depending on the length of my trailer I might arrange Moonlight Sonata to fit the time line and play it on the piano. I also have a music editing program and can accomplish the same, by cutting and pasting, with other musical masterpieces. I am sure you did not put together your trailer in a night. Yours looks like a great deal of thought went into making it. I am rewriting my query letter and hope, when it is finished, to use some of the words in my trailer.
ReplyDeleteDavid