I’m writing a lot right now, but I can’t type that fast and accurately – and typing often distracts me from thinking. However, Apple’s dictation function is pretty lousy - the integrated voice recognition of Chatgpt (it’s called Whisper) works much better.
So I tried to find a way how you can dictate texts, transcribe them in the background using ChatGPT and saves them as simple text files into a folder from which you can easily import tons of them at once into Scrivener without copy and paste.
What I describe here, everyone can do with a little patience. I am not a programmer, and I could do it (with some advice from ChatGPT). Sorry, but I cannot give you support if it does not work as expected. Apple’s Shortcut app is not perfect at all.
The whole process takes a few minutes to set up, and afterwards it’s just: dictate → transcribed text → import in Scrivener.
What you need
A Mac running macOS 13 (Ventura) or later.
The ChatGPT app from OpenAI (free in the App Store).
Scrivener for macOS.
A folder (e.g. in iCloud Drive, Dropbox, or local) where your dictated notes will be saved.
Step 1: Create the Shortcut
Open the Shortcuts app on your Mac.
Click the + button to create a new Shortcut.
Name it: Dictate Notes.
Step 2: Add the Actions
Action 1: Record Audio
In the search bar, type “Record Audio”.
Add it to your Shortcut.
Leave it on “Until Stopped” (so you can dictate freely).
Action 2: Transcribe Audio (Whisper)
Search for “Transcribe Audio” (this comes from the ChatGPT app).
Add it below.
This uses OpenAI’s Whisper model to convert your speech into text.
Action 3: Create File
Search for “Create File” .
Content = the transcription result.
File Name = leave blank.
(macOS will automatically use the first words of your text + .txt as the filename).
Action 4: Save File
Search for “Save File”.
Choose the folder where you want your drafts stored (e.g. iCloud Drive/Dictated Drafts).
Turn OFF “Ask Where to Save”.
That’s it!
Step 3: Test It
Run the Shortcut (click the button).
Dictate something like:
“This is my first draft for Chapter 1 in Scrivener.”
Stop recording.
Go to your chosen folder → you’ll see a .txt file containing your transcription.
Step 4: Import into Scrivener
In Scrivener, open your project.
Go to File → Import → Files… (there is a keyboard shortcut for that
I know Apple’s dictation has a way to go, but it reliably accepts my Brit/Kiwi/Aus accent and dictates directly into Scrivener with few corrections needed.
Being a lazy old fart, I go for the most painless process and for now that’s Apple’s built in dictation.
I’ve wondered about using an AI for dictation. This is pretty cool.
I’ve had success with Dragon Naturally Speaking in my Windows environment. It works seamlessly with Scrivener (I use the text box approach) and lets me customize the vocabulary to fit my novels. It’s not cheap, though. If I didn’t already have it, I’d probably explore ChatGPT for dictating my novels.
There is also an app named Whisper based on the same technology. You can feed it with records like interviews or speeches and get very accurate results. That is a huge time-saver for many jobs.
As I mentioned, I have an accent that blends my British/New Zealand/Aussie background that in earlier days confused the heck out of even Dragon,(seeing as Dragon cancelled Mac support it’s been a while since I tried) but is working painlessly dictating direct into Scrivener with Apple’s dictation. The improvement has been noticeable for me in the last two years - it was pretty hopeless prior to that.
I’m little surprised about your comment is it being ‘pretty weak’ for many native English speakers as I am aware of a number of authors with quite strong regional UK accents who are now successfully using it. It even works ok on my admittedly poor Italian.
Because my German is limited to greetings etc and ordering a beer (from my days of meetings at previous employer’s office and factory in Germany and hosting German Inwent program university students at my software company in Aus), I’ve not tried it so I’ll defer to you.
Bonus with the Apple offering, it’s free and there’s no faffing around.
I’d expect AI translation to develop rapidly but the subscription costs for any more than the most basic functions are ridiculous and all that copying and pasting .
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