This post is in response to Darren’s 31 Days to Building a Better Blog article series. Whether you’ve been blogging since blogging’s inception, or you’re looking to get started as a blogger, check out these essential tools. They’ll help you keep track of ideas, get organized, and best of all, relieve the pressure of the trivial things so you can focus on producing great content!

Windows Live Writer - I run Windows on both my desktop and laptop and can’t imagine blogging without Windows Live Writer. Windows Live Writer is a writing tool where you can type out your post then submit it to your blog, rather than logging into Blogger, or Wordpress, or whatever platform you use for your blog.

The most recent beta release has introduced several new enhancements as well as fluffed up the interface a bit. It’s very easy to use (ever used Microsoft Word or a similar word processing program? If so, you can use WLW) and also lets you preview your posts in your blog’s style and layout so you can be sure things look the way you want. You can download Windows Live Writer for free right here.

Google Notebook - In my daily use of the Internet I run across all kinds of images, quotes, articles, and other things that either inspire me to write or that I’d like to use in a later blog post. However, it can be hard keeping all of these things in a single repository, especially if you blog from more than one computer. Therefore, I employ Google Notebook. Think of it as a dropbox for anything you find on the web. Anything you find that you’d like to keep in a single location, you can send it to Google Notebook with a quick and easy click or two. You can also use Google Notebook to jot down notes as well. Google Notebook is free (you’ll need to sign up for a Gmail account if you don’t already have one as Notebook uses a Gmail account for its username and password), so click here to go get started.

Todoist - No set of blogging tools can be complete without a todo list. I’ve been using Todoist for quite some time now and its power is in its simplicity. Todoist offers Gmail integration, keyboard shortcuts, built-in notes, mobile access, and a premium service where you can get IM, e-mail and SMS reminders sent to you. Labels (also known as tags) have also recently been added meaning you can use Todoist for a true David Allen-style Getting Things Done system. If you don’t know what GTD is, shame on you! Go do some reading, right now! Todoist is free to use, so click here to get a free account.

coComment - Blogging is a two way street. That means, not only do you produce content on your blog for others to read but you should be reading other blogs in your niche and commenting on what they have to say. If you’re doing the right amount of commenting, it’s going to be nearly impossible to keep track of all of your comments and it’s critical you’re following up to see what others are saying. Enter coComment. coComment will help you keep track of your comments from all over the web on a single site so you can see who’s replying and when. It’s free and you can get going by clicking here.

A notebook - I know, this doesn’t fit with the above technologically-savvy tools but to me, it’s vital. The brain isn’t made for remembering, it’s made for doing. So, use a notebook to remember for you. I prefer a Moleskine notebook and a Bookmark Pen which I carry them with me everywhere. I never know when inspiration will hit (or when I’ll remember I need milk). However you do it, take something with you so you can jot things down as you think of them. Some of my best stuff I’ve forgotten because I didn’t have my notebook with me. Don’t suffer the same fate! (I know I posted links to these utilities but I’ve found Moleskines at Waldenbooks and Bookmark Pens at Barnes and Noble)

I hope these tools will help you get started and on your way to being a better blogger.

So, tell me… what do you consider essential blogging tools?

Like I stated previously, we headed over to Peoria, Illinois to take in a Peoria Chiefs baseball game this past Saturday and the entire night delivered.

Upon arrival at O’Brien Field there were already half a dozen guys just down the row from us that were sauced and heckling the other team’s batters as they warmed up on field. We were just behind home plate, two rows up, and the drunks were yelling pretty loud so I’m quite sure the Snappers’ batters heard every word. Some of their insults weren’t funny, and some were, but the best one of the night (for me) was when one of the other team’s batters was 2-and-3 and one of the heckler’s yelled out, “don’t worry, there’s always that insurance job back home!” I think our entire section cracked up at that one.

Then, one of the dirty half-dozen started to get naked so, of course, my wife had to have a pic of him undressing. Actually, that’s a lie. This is how he wore his shirt for several innings. I figured I’d include that in this post so you can get an eyeful, too. Click the image to be taken to a slideshow of shots from the evening’s festivities.

This was all in celebration of Wendy’s Dad’s birthday, who’s a sports nut, so it didn’t hurt that the game ended up being a no hitter for Peoria. The first one ever at O’Brien Field, actually.

All in all, a fantastic time.

peoria chiefs, benoit snappers, jose ceda, no hitter, shawnw

I figured I’d ask the question since I’m about to tell you what’s going on with mine. :)

The wif and I are headed out in a few minutes to pick up her parents then take her Dad to a Peoria Chiefs double-A baseball game. Yes, in Peoria, Illinois. It’s just over a 3 hour drive but the weather’s supposed to be decent (high of 80 with a slight chance of rain). I’m sure we’ll partake in some local delicacies once, if not twice, today, so all in all should be a good time.

What’s on your docket for this weekend? Anything fun?

Many thanks to Matt and Nancy Heerema for pointing this out. It’s a church drama set to the song Everything by the band Lifehouse. It’s a little weak at the start but finishes way strong. Watch the whole thing.

Oh yeah… go get some tissues.

matt and nancy heerema, lifehouse, everything, winterfest, knoxville, shawnw

Due out in February 2008. Should be awesome!

semi-pro, movie, will farrell, shawnw