“I’m not a writer.”
I hear some version of this statement nearly everyday, and my answer is always, “You have to be.”
Whether you’re a designer, developer, whoever, you need to be able to write well in a world where so much communication takes place via emails, text messages and Slack groups.
Since we know writing can be a drag, we compiled the ultimate writing toolkit – a list of 22 fantastic tools and articles that will transform your writing.
22 Amazing Writing Resources
1. What Do the Best Writers Do That Other Writers Don’t?
Article | 4 min. read
This article is so helpful, I’ve favorited it in my Pocket. In his piece, Joel Klettke explains what the best writers do that bad writers don’t. Spoiler Alert: The best writers have a process, which he elaborates on in the post.
2. What Does All Great Content Have in Common?
Article | 4 min. read
Klettke did again with his post detailing the factors all great content has in common. I’ve bookmarked this article as well. Your content must either be new or the first to report, most current, most complete, have new packaging or a fresh voice/viewpoint.
3. This Writing GPS Helps You Create Ridiculously Good Content
Article | 6 min. read
This article is an excerpt from Ann Handley’s Everybody Writes. Maybe you don’t have a writing process already. And maybe you didn’t like Klettke’s writing process in the above read. In that case, read this post detailing another writing process.
4. 10 Brilliant Examples of How to Open Your Next Blog Post With a Bang
Article | 5 min. read
This one is a must-bookmark. Before I begin writing any article, after I’ve done my outline, I look at two posts, and this is one of them. Your first sentence and paragraph need to be your best because that is what keeps readers reading. In this article, you’ll get 11 fantastic, lede ideas.
5. How to Write Good Story Leads
Article | 6 min. read
This is the other post I review before I write a blog post. Similar to No. 4, “How to Write Good Story Leads” rattles off a list of the best ways to open your next article. Bookmark it!
6. HubSpot’s 5 Free Blog Post Templates
Template | Free, Email required
Experiencing writer’s block? You’re not the only one, which is why HubSpot created five free blog post templates to get you started. With this download, you’ll receive templates for the following types of posts:
- How-to
- Listicals
- Curated Collection
- Slideshare Presentation
- Newsjacking
7. HubSpot’s Blog Topic Generator
Tool/Template | Free, Email required
Input three keywords and HubSpot outputs 365 blog title ideas into a downloadable Excel spreadsheet you can reuse again and again.
8. Portent’s Title Maker
Tool | Free
Similar to HubSpot’s Blog Topic Generator is Portent’s Title Maker. This tool generates headlines based on keywords you input. Play with it until you find a title you love.
9. 52 Headline Hacks: A Cheat Sheet for Writing Blog Posts That Go Viral
Ebook | Free
I know this link better than the back of my hand because it proves so valuable to me time and time again. Bookmark it, and steal its best headlines, which is all 52 of them.
10. Ulysses
Mac App | $44.99
I’ve tried every writing app for Mac out there, and Ulysses is by far my favorite. It’s like a cleaner, more simplistic version of Evernote. I find its “Copy as” feature very useful as writers I work with submit their copy in Markdown, which I obviously cannot copy into WordPress.
11. Hemingway
Web and Desktop App | Free
Hemingway Editor is useful for when it comes time to edit your post. Not only does it tell you its “Readability” score, but it also highlights which sentences are hard (or very hard) to read, simpler phrase alternatives, when to remove adverbs and when you’re using passive voice.
12. Pocket
Web and Desktop App | Freemium
Pocket is where I store all of my favorite articles – not just posts I don’t have time to read at the moment. By “tagging” and “favoriting” posts, I am able to revisit these must-bookmark posts extremely quickly. It’s also a great source of blog topic ideas.
13. Medium
Publishing Platform | Free
If you’re looking for a place to blog, I highly recommend using Medium’s platform. It’s beautiful interface makes writing enjoyable.
14. Writepls
Directory | Free
Just discovered this one on Product Hunt. It’s a curated list of articles to help you write and publish online. I haven’t gone through all of them yet, but they look pretty awesome.
15. The Modern Storyteller’s Toolbox
Directory | Free
ReadThisThing curated a list of tools, products and resources to help you tell great stories.
16. Google Voice
Tool | Free
I like to use Google Voice for interviews because it allows me to record phone calls, which I then submit to Rev for transcription services.
17. Help Me Write
Website/Social Network | Free
Ever wondered if anyone actually wanted to read what you wanted to write about before you invested anytime in it? Help Me Write is here to help you do just that. Post your pitch ideas and users will vote on which ones they want to read about.
18. 101 Sales Email Templates
Templates | Free
This was one of the best things I’ve ever stumbled upon on the Internet. Need an opening line for your next email to a client? Or are you doing some cold outreach? Whatever email activity you’re doing, use these 101 templates to help your writing stand out.
19. Great Email Copy
Inspiration | Free
If you want a dose of the best written emails from around the web, then you need to visit this website. You can filter by tags or categories.
20. Really Good Emails
Inspiration | Free
This is exactly the same thing as No. 19, but I like both so I shared both.
21. Canned Emails
Templates | Free
Canned Emails is a minimal site with a long list of prewritten emails. Click on “view plaintext” to view the different emails for each topic. Topics vary from “apologies” to “follow ups” and the list scrolls on.
22. Kopywriting Kourse
Course | Free
This is the best course I’ve ever taken on writing by far. Don’t want to buy it? Then just read Neville’s blog. I promise you won’t regret it.
What are your favorite writing tools? Tell us in the comments below. Don’t be shy. =)
Frequently Asked Questions about Writing Tools
What are the best writing tools for beginners?
For beginners, it’s essential to start with writing tools that are user-friendly and intuitive. Google Docs is a great starting point as it offers basic writing and editing features, and it’s free. Grammarly is another excellent tool for beginners. It not only checks grammar and spelling but also provides suggestions for improving your writing style. Lastly, Hemingway Editor is a simple yet powerful tool that highlights complex sentences, adverbs, and passive voice, helping beginners to write more clearly and effectively.
Are there any writing tools that can help with writer’s block?
Yes, there are several tools designed to help overcome writer’s block. One such tool is Write or Die, which uses a unique approach by applying a consequence (like an unpleasant noise) if you stop writing for too long. Another tool is Prompts, an app that provides creative writing prompts to help get your creative juices flowing.
How can I improve my writing style with writing tools?
Tools like ProWritingAid and Hemingway Editor can help improve your writing style. They provide feedback on readability, sentence structure, and word choice, among other things. By using these tools regularly, you can learn to write more clearly and effectively.
Are there any free writing tools available?
Yes, there are many free writing tools available. Google Docs, Evernote, and Grammarly (basic version) are some of the most popular free writing tools. However, keep in mind that while these tools are free, they may not offer all the features available in their premium versions.
Can writing tools help me with my grammar and spelling?
Absolutely. Tools like Grammarly and Ginger are designed to catch grammar and spelling errors that your word processor’s spell check might miss. They can also provide suggestions for improving your sentence structure and writing style.
What are the best writing tools for collaborative writing?
For collaborative writing, Google Docs is a popular choice as it allows multiple users to edit a document simultaneously. Another tool is Draft, which not only allows collaborative editing but also keeps track of every change made to the document.
Are there any writing tools that can help me organize my thoughts and ideas?
Yes, tools like Scrivener and Evernote are excellent for organizing your thoughts and ideas. Scrivener is particularly useful for long-form writing as it allows you to break your work into manageable sections.
Can writing tools help me with formatting my work?
Yes, many writing tools offer formatting features. For example, Google Docs and Microsoft Word provide a variety of formatting options, including headings, bullet points, and tables. Tools like Scrivener also offer templates for specific types of writing, such as screenplays or novels.
Are there any writing tools that can help me with my productivity?
Yes, there are several writing tools designed to boost productivity. For example, FocusWriter and WriteRoom provide a distraction-free writing environment, helping you to concentrate on your writing. Another tool, Write or Die, uses consequences to motivate you to keep writing.
Can writing tools help me with editing and proofreading?
Yes, many writing tools offer editing and proofreading features. Grammarly, for instance, not only checks for grammar and spelling errors but also provides suggestions for improving your writing style. ProWritingAid offers in-depth reports on your writing, helping you to identify areas for improvement.
Lauren HollidayLauren Holliday is a full-stack marketer.
