Every writer needs a set of reliable tools to create compelling work, navigate writer’s block, and improve with every draft. The ones in our personal toolbox aren’t glamorous (or expensive), but they have been there time and time again. When we’re stuck on how to describe something or feel like we have no business in this business, they keep us going.

1. “The Elements of Style” by Strunk and White

No list of writing tools would be complete without this, which is why it has to be in our number one spot. The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White is a slim volume packed with wisdom. First published in 1918, this guide remains a go-to reference for clarity, brevity, and correctness in writing.

Strunk and White champion the idea that good writing is concise and precise (and so do we). With simple rules like “Omit needless words” and “Use the active voice”, the book drills into the core of what makes writing effective. It isn’t flashy, and it won’t teach you how to write a novel—but it will teach you how to write better sentences.

While some of its advice feels dated, the principles stand strong. Whether you’re writing a blog, a memoir, or marketing copy, understanding the basics of grammar, punctuation, and composition matters.

2. “The Emotion Thesaurus” by Becca Puglisi & Angela Ackerman

Good writing is not just about sentence structure and grammar—it’s about emotion. Readers will connect to what they feel. But showing emotion in writing can be difficult. That’s where this baby comes in.

This thesaurus breaks down emotions into manageable, expressive parts. For each feeling (like anger, fear, joy), it offers physical signals, internal sensations, mental responses, and external cues for how characters might express that emotion (or even what happens if it’s suppressed for too long).

So instead of writing “She was nervous,” you scan the entry for “nervousness” and find subtle behaviors: biting a fingernail, tugging at sleeves, avoiding eye contact, etc. All of these show the feeling rather than tell it—and we all know how important that is. 

3. Google Docs

Not a book, and not something you even need to pay money for, Google Docs is our primary way to write. We could extol the virtues of Scrivener (and have) except for one key function we need—real-time collaboration and feedback.

Since we’re sharing a draft with each other (and even when we send a manuscript to a beta reader or editor), the ability to comment, track changes, and update instantly is invaluable.

Add in features like version history, voice typing (great for brainstorming or dictating), and plugins for grammar checking or outlining, we’re never going back to Scrivener (sorry!).

4. A Favorite Author’s Book on the Craft

There’s something uniquely inspiring about learning the craft from someone who’s mastered it. That’s why a writing book by an author you admire can be a powerful toolkit item.

Take On Writing by Stephen King, for example. Part memoir, part masterclass, it gives a candid look into King’s life and his approach to storytelling. It’s filled with practical advice (“The road to hell is paved with adverbs”), but also honesty about the struggle of writing. King doesn’t sugarcoat the process—he respects the work, and that respect is contagious.

Similarly, Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird blends wit, insight, and compassion. We can’t recommend this book enough. Recently, we read Chuck Palahniuk’s Consider This, which is bracingly direct in how he tackles narrative momentum and emotional honesty in his writing.

So find an author that resonates with you, and see if they have a book on the craft of writing. Chances are they do. And maybe their voice can serve as a mentor, guiding you through the craft in a way that’s personal and motivating to you.

5. A Daily Writing Ritual

This last item isn’t a book or a platform—it’s a habit.

A daily writing ritual is the most underrated tool in a writer’s arsenal. Consistency breeds creativity.

Writing is like exercising. You don’t run a marathon by lacing up your shoes once a month. You train. You build the muscles. And more importantly, you build trust with yourself—that you can do the work, even when you don’t feel inspired. And, believe us, there are lots of times we don’t feel inspired! But if we show up, words get onto the page.

The ritual doesn’t have to be elaborate or impressive or what other writers do. It just has to be yours. Maybe it includes music, your favorite notebook or pen, a good-smelling candle, or a short meditation. Doing it signals to your brain: “Now, we write.”

So that’s our writer’s toolbox. What’s in yours?