Any suggestions on trying to write with a broken finger?

1. 92

   vocalcoachposted 9 years ago

   The 'pointer' finger on my right hand is in a cast making it difficult to type.  Sure would appreciate any ideas you may have.  Big Thanks!

   replyreport
   1. 89

      Rochelle Frankposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Hunt and peck?  Type with your toes?
      Of course it might be a good time to try Dragon Dictate voice recognition software-- (especially since you are a "vocal" person)-- it is really kind of fun, though may requires some editing.
      Hope you heal speedily.

      replyreport
      1. 96

         sallybeaposted 9 years agoin reply to this

         Definitely try voice recognition.  I tried it out for a little while (for fun) and was amazed at how good it was.  You probably have a program on your computer without realizing it.

         replyreport
      2. 92

         vocalcoachposted 9 years agoin reply to this

         Thanks Rochelle

         replyreport
   2. 0

      Miran Shuletaposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Voice recognition is your only hope unfortunately

      replyreport
   3. 97

      RonElFranposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      If you are a touch typist, I'd recommend the "peck" part of "hunt and peck." I find that when I can't use my regular touch typing technique, I can be maybe 50% as fast using a single finger on the affected hand. I know the keyboard so well I don't have to "hunt" for keys. I typed this that way. It's a little uncomfortable at first, but definitely doable.

      replyreport
   4. 91

      Christy Kirwanposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Hi vocalcoach,
      
      Hope your finger heals soon! That has got to be one of the most frustrating injuries for a writer. As others have mentioned, voice recognition software could be a good option. You may also want to consider using a tablet and installing a keyboard that allows you to swipe with one finger to type.

      replyreport
   5. 78

      Richard-Bivinsposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Dragon Naturally Speaking... this is a great piece of software that converts voice to text.  It's helped me increase my output from 10,000 words a week to about 40,000.

      replyreport
2. 90

   Millionaire Tipsposted 9 years ago

   Can you hand write instead?  Get a whole bunch of hubs ready by doing the research and note taking.  Then you can transcribe your notes and create hubs when your cast is gone.

   replyreport
3. 97

   Glenn Stokposted 9 years ago

   Do you have an Apple iPad? It has the Siri voice recognition. You can type by speaking. The iPhone has it too.

   replyreport
4. 61

   tlcsposted 9 years ago

   Get someone else to do it for you, that's what I would do, I would ask a family member to type what I dictate until it was better. Sorry to hear about your finger! not good, not good at all. It is amazing how much we do with our hands and take for granted until something like that happens, broken wrist is just as bad!

   replyreport
   1. 86

      TIMETRAVELER2posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Use a tape recorder, save your work and then edit and publish once your finger has healed.  Two years ago I broke my right wrist in 4 places and had to have surgery (I'm right handed).  The doc told me that typing on a keyboard was good therapy, and he was correct!  However, fingers are different than wrists, so ask your doc before trying to type.  Good luck!

      replyreport
5. 78

   Uzochukwu Mikeposted 9 years ago

   Voice recognition software is the best of all.

   replyreport
6. 90

   MariaMontgomeryposted 9 years ago

   While a broken pinky finger was healing, I used my ring (3rd) finger on the keys that I normally used the pinky. That was several years ago before voice recognition software was as readily available as it is now. These days I have arthritis, and my mouse hand gets achy and swollen after a few hours of typing. I'm considering the voice activated software, myself.  Good luck you you, and heal fast.

   replyreport