Writers in the Storm

A blog about writing

storm moving across a field
September 12, 2018

WITS Top 20: Tools for Writers at Every Level

Top 20 List

I was looking up some stuff on the back end of Writers In the Storm the other day and it kind of blew my mind. As I scoped out traffic and posts and fixed old links, the walk down Memory Lane made me nostalgic.

Here's what I learned about WITS.

We've been around since May 2010, which was kind of a shock to me — this blog is the same age as my daughter! We've had some changes to our team, our site and content since then, but what hasn't changed is how much we enjoy our readers and our contributors.

We do this labor of love because:

  • We all love to give back to other writers.
  • We learn from the contributors and from each other.
  • We have so much fun with the readers down in the comments section.

Below are our top 20 posts of all time. Strangely, they fall into three categories: getting published, writing craft and practical tips. Enjoy!

Publishing Your Story

Submission Tip Checklist: Double-Check These 16 Things Before Sending Your Book Out

The Ultimate Writers’ Guide to Twitter Pitch Contests

How to Pitch Your Self-Published Book to an Agent

Genres Explained: Insights, Tips and Definitions From Literary Agents

14 Agents Seeking Science Fiction Novels NOW

13 Agents Seeking Southern Fiction NOW

4 Ways Besides Query Letters You Can Contact Literary Agents

Exclusive Requests From Literary Agents—What Are They and How Do They Work?

 

The Craft of Writing

Diving Deep into Deep Point of View

10 Tips to Writing from Multiple POVs

5 Techniques for Amazing Internal Dialogue

What Type of Secret Does Your Character Keep?

Let’s Get Down To It—Writing the Sex Scene

Sexual Tension: It’s all in your head

Writing About Hair: The Thick and Thin of Descriptions

Are Your Characters Stylin’? Descriptive Fashion Phrases and Terms

 

Practical Tips for Writers

Five Comparisons NOT to Make for Your Book

Organize Your Novel With Excel

Top 10 Scrivener Features for Writers

The 12 Best Hashtags for Writers

 

How long have you been with us here at Writers In the Storm? Do you remember what got you here, or what post/contributor/topic has stood out as your favorite? Please share with us down in the comments!

*  *  *  *  *  *

About Jenny Hansen

By day, Jenny provides training and social media marketing for small businesses. By night she writes humor, memoir, women’s fiction and short stories. After 18 years as a corporate software trainer, she’s delighted to sit down while she works.

When she’s not at her personal blog, More Cowbell, Jenny can be found on Twitter at JennyHansenCA or here at Writers In The Storm.

25 comments on “WITS Top 20: Tools for Writers at Every Level”

  1. Hi - I’ve only recently discovered WITS, and always open the email link with excitement. I have had a bit of a poke around in your backlists as well, and should like another life to catch up on them. I’ve also recommended WITS whenever I can - there truly is something for everyone. Thank you one and all. ❤️ xxx

  2. Great post. I've been slowly making my way through the archives. I'm new. I started coming to WITS via Suzanne Purvis who recommended this blog to me. I'm glad she did. I love this place and appreciate the team who keep the site running and the many contributors who take the time from their busy schedules to share their experiences.

    1. We dig Suzanne! And she has been kind enough to send her own readers and fans our direction. I forgot what a variety there is here until I take a trip through the archives. It's like a writer's conference in those archives! 🙂

  3. I'm thinking 5+ years ago. I had just started my SECOND writing journey and my CP recommended you. I've got a few of these awesome tips already bookmarked but they are worthy of a second or third read. I've learned so much from all the contributors but the craft posts have been the most useful. Thank you.

      1. I wrote when my daughter was young...many many years ago just for my own enjoyment. Took a few classes from WD and Barrett Benson (remember his magazine ads?)and thought I would like to be published, but life intervened and 40 years later I got the bug again. I've been trying to finish my manuscript for a few years and I've set a goal to finish it or bust by the end of 2018. Your site and others along with two pushy CPs have convinced me I have what it takes to put two words together. So here I am. Not quite as exciting as you thought, eh?

  4. I think I'm coming up on two years of lurking around the pages of WITS. The shear volume of great information and insight here makes it one of the best resources on the web. I like that I'm not just getting the opinion of one blogger, but a wonderful team of writers and teachers, as well as an endless string of quality guest bloggers. Cheers to a top stop for writers!

      1. Oh my God, you two! When I see either of your teams on TV, I hear you two bickering in my head:

        "Gig 'em, Aggies!" [I don't even know what that means.]
        "Roll, Tide!" [I don't really know what that means either.]
        "Aggies!"
        "Crimson Tide!"
        "AGGIES!"
        *pause*
        "Go Cocks!!!!"

  5. I always look forward to WITS and have learned a lot over the last fews years, especially about craft. Thanks for all the hard work that goes into creating great posts.

  6. I came here via a link from somewhere else and have enjoyed the ride. Several years now. I used to save emails, but then I realized the search feature could help me more. 😉

    denise

Subscribe to WITS

Recent Posts

Search

WITS Team

Categories

Archives

Copyright © 2024 Writers In The Storm - All Rights Reserved