The Writers' Lounge

Hmm... the one useful thing I did spot on that template was speech patterns/often used phrases. I admit, though, I'm not much of a one for tools or writing exercises in any form. I might outline plots on bits of paper to make sure they actually make sense, but I find I never stick too rigorously to them (lack of discipline, probably).

With your point about world-building, I find that grows organically, but it's the little details that carry it. Thinking comparatively can help when starting from scratch, e.g. what if the Industrial Revolution never happened? Once you delve into how so much is inter-related in any given environment, it gives you new directions to head in.

That's probably not very useful. The only other thing I can think of that I have (sort of) used are some of the 10-point plot arc things, as for mysteries and such. I have a good one somewhere that talks about form and genre, so I'll see if I can find it. Not so much a tool, but maybe helpful.