Empowering Women: A Call for Tool Stories and Experiences
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Women Who Use Tools — Guidelines
Are you a woman who enjoys creating? Or perhaps you know a woman with a passion for building? We would love to hear from you!
This publication aims to collect stories from women and girls who utilize tools to create. Men are encouraged to contribute stories about the women in their lives who engage in this craft as well.
It doesn't matter if you use hand tools or power tools—if you've built something, we want to hear your story and see some images.
Why This Publication?
One of my greatest joys has been learning the art of woodworking. I have many tales to share from my journey, which began with small projects like planters and dog houses and eventually led to larger undertakings, such as constructing a deck.
Of course, there were successes, a few hiccups, and interactions with contractors along the way, but overall, it has been a fulfilling and rewarding experience.
Are you a woman or girl with similar tales? Men, do you know someone like this? Let me know if you're interested in contributing to this new publication by leaving your Medium username.
I will notify you once you’re added.
Submit an Existing Story
If you have previously published a story on Medium about a woman using tools, simply send me the URL, and I will feature it in a newsletter or story.
It’s easy: Open your story, make any necessary edits according to our guidelines, save it, and then copy the URL from the top of the page.
OR
Write a New Story
If you wish to become a writer for "Women Who Use Tools," please express your interest in the comments below.
To ensure your submission is categorized correctly, use the following topic if your story involves building with tools:
Use topic: Women Who Use Tools
Two New Topics for This Publication
1. Women Who Use Kitchen Tools
If you are a woman or girl who utilizes kitchen tools (and not just a hand mixer), I would love to hear your story! Men are also welcome to contribute stories about women with unique kitchen gadgets.
To categorize your story properly, please use this topic:
Use topic: Kitchen Gadgets and Tools
What I am looking for:
Stories about kitchen tools you own, have used, or have had humorous mishaps with (like overcooking in a pressure cooker) or tools that have simplified your life. I’m particularly interested in items that are less common but may pique interest.
I enjoy funny, absurd, or unique tales. If you’re unsure, feel free to ask; I’m looking for unconventional stories!
What I Do Not Want:
Please refrain from submitting typical household stories or recipes. The focus should be on the tool itself. For example, I once shared a story about two indispensable tools: an all-in-one apple corer, slicer, peeler, and a heavy-duty potato cutter.
2. Women Who Use Crafting Tools
As always, humor is welcome, but stories should center on crafting with tools—not just sewing needles or machines. Think hammers, drills, planers, and routers—projects like shelves or coat racks.
If you are a woman or girl with stories about crafting tools, please reach out. The same rules apply: if your story is already written, share the URL; if not, request to become a writer, and I’ll add you to publish your new narrative. Use this topic for categorization:
Use topic: Women Using Craft Tools
Preparing Your Story
Please take the time to review these guidelines. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to ask.
Title, Subtitle, and Image
Always include a Title, Subtitle, and a suitable image with proper credits to the photographer, whether it’s you, a friend, or sourced from a site like Unsplash.
Don't forget to add 'Alt Text' to your images. Click on the image, select the ‘Alt Text’ box, fill in a brief description, and hit ‘Save.’
Kicker — 'Women Who Use Tools'
Please include a kicker! After your title, hit enter to create a new line, then type "Women Who Use Tools" and hit enter again to keep formatting intact.
Editing
Be sure to proofread your story. Additional information about this is provided below.
Call to Action
If you'd like to reference another of your stories, feel free to do so, but limit it to just one. I often conclude my stories with something like:
Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this story, here’s another you might like. To join my mailing list, click here.
Then, simply add the URL of the story you wish to highlight.
Submitting Your Story/Draft
When you're ready to submit your draft, tap the three buttons in the upper right corner of your screen to open a dropdown menu.
I recommend selecting 'share draft link,' copying it to another window, and listening to the audio playback. This step is optional but helpful.
Topics
You can select 'change topics' now or after clicking ‘More Settings.’
1st Topic: Women Who Use Tools, 2nd: Self-Improvement, and choose the rest as you see fit.
Optional SEO
To modify the SEO, select ‘More Settings.’ Scroll down to the SEO section and enter a good description. If you skip this, it will default to the first words of your story.
This is also your chance to adjust or add Topics.
Adding Your Story
From the same dropdown menu, choose ‘Add to Publication.’ Scroll to ‘Women Who Use Tools’ and select it. After making your selection, click ‘Select and Continue.’
Almost There
Hit the green Submit button; don't worry, there’s one more page. You will see additional options, including adding or changing topics, choosing to hide your piece behind a paywall, and sending it to email subscribers.
If everything looks good, click the ‘Submit to Publication’ button. You will receive immediate confirmation regarding the success or failure of your submission. Then, wait for me to review it and respond.
What I Want:
- Personal essays, true stories—real-life experiences—focused on building endeavors (woodworking projects or unique kitchen gadget experiences). The good, the bad, and everything in between.
- Ideal length is between 3 to 7 minutes.
- Ensure your story is free of grammar and spelling errors before submission.
- Humorous narratives or those with humorous elements in otherwise serious situations are always a favorite.
- Have you faced challenges with building inspections? I’d love to hear your experiences, provided you were the one being inspected for your project.
- If you need help, I’m more than willing to offer suggestions.
What I Do Not Want:
- No fiction, poetry, AI, sci-fi, fantasy, etc.—only true stories.
- No lists (listicles are acceptable, as long as they aren’t trivial).
- No segmented stories.
- Avoid blog-type writing. Please submit a cohesive story, memoir, or personal essay.
- Nothing overly technical.
- No serious rants or hateful content. Mild complaints to convey your story are acceptable.
- Absolutely NO profanity—there are ways to express yourself without resorting to cursing.
Please limit your submission to a single call to action at the end.
A Quick Review of Basic Editing Tips
- Titles — Remember, the title is your story’s first impression. If it doesn’t grab attention, readers may skip it.
- Subtitles — This is your second chance to captivate interest. Provide a hint of what your story entails.
- First Paragraph — This is your last chance to engage readers. Convey what they can expect without giving everything away.
- Conclusion — Your final paragraph should tie up loose ends and reflect what your opening promised.
- Shorter Paragraphs — Stories are easier to read when paragraphs are concise. Aim for three or four sentences per paragraph, with one-sentence paragraphs being acceptable.
Test yourself: Reread your first and last paragraphs back to back to ensure they flow as one coherent narrative.
Remember, a thorough spell and grammar check is crucial. A story riddled with errors is difficult to engage with.
Small Errors or Major Edits
If you submit a new story, I will correct minor errors, like misusing ‘wear’ instead of ‘where.’ However, if I notice too many mistakes, I will inform you privately, and you can decide whether to correct them. I want your story to shine!
- My ‘Women Who Use Tools’ List: To view all published stories and receive notifications for new content in “Women Who Use Tools,” [click here to open the list](#) and save it.
- EMAIL: To receive an email whenever I publish anything, [click here](#).
Feel free to comment, ask questions, or request to be a contributor. I aim for this publication to thrive just as my ‘Digging Up Bones’ publication has. Thank you for reading this far.
ANOTHER ABOUT ME story — Why I decided to create this publication.