Introducing: My Favorite Tools + Tips
This is a curated list of books and tools that I use and recommend to you as you improve your writing. I have used every single recommendation in this list. I’ve gone through many different books and tools, and these are my tried-and-true.
But before you jump in, a quick disclaimer: Some of the below links are affiliate links. This means that if you purchase an item using my link, I get a small commission at no cost to you. I appreciate the support to help keep this blog running, but please only spend your money on these products if you truly believe that they’ll help you achieve your goals.
Add This to Your Reading List
Style: Lessons in Clarity and Grace (12th Edition) by Joseph M. Williams and Joseph Bizup
Yes, I’m linking one of my college “textbooks” here, but hear me out: this book is life-changing. I put “textbook” in quotes because this book is the size of any ol’ paperback you’ve got on your shelf.
This book is the very first book in the writing programs I attended at Carnegie Mellon University, and it’s stuck with me ever since. So many books about grammar and writing feel stale and outdated, but this one hits the mark on teaching you how to write well without every piece you write sounding like it could have been written 100 years ago.
It isn’t just a grammar book, and it isn’t about teaching you overarching rules that you must follow Or Else; it teaches you principles of clear communication and helps you develop your own prose and voice as a writer.
It contains clear explanation and tons of examples so you can really wrap your head around the concepts. My only disclaimer is it’s on the technical side. So if you’re not a total word nerd, some of the topics may be a bit too intricate than you’re looking for (ever heard of a nominalization or resumptive modifiers?), but all of it is useful even if you just skim over some of the more dense topics.
And the best news is, if you’re getting sticker shock from the $50 price tag, there are many alternate sellers and older editions at all price points.
Creator Toolbox
As a creator, I’ve researched and tried a ton of gear to keep my blogs and YouTube channels running and produce the best content I can make. The following gear is my tried-and-true list of favorites.
The Gear Behind My YouTube Channels
Run Your Business
If you shop on Amazon for your business, you might want to look into creating a free Amazon business account. You can add multiple users and get extra savings. I have a business account for my one-woman show over here, so as long as you have a business tax ID, you can partake in the benefits.
Here’s what your business account can do (regardless of your size or industry):
- Exclusive price and bulk discounts on over five million products
- More control over the buying process like managing shopping lists, suppliers, and recurring orders
- Join Prime Business Shipping so you and your employees get free 2-day shipping (prices are tiered by how many members you have). Or, you get free standard shipping on $25 or more of eligible items.
- Get pallet delivery for no extra charge
- Individual and shared payment options
- Apply tax-exempt status to eligible purchases
- Approval workflows to manage employee purchases
- See spending activity with Amazon Business Analytics. You can create and download custom reports so you can get the information that you need most.