Home >

Writing Samples

Olson Family Portrait.

The beginning for a writer is the journal. I say this because it is the testing grounds for all your styles and ideas. If you do not keep a journal, it will be hard for you to be a good writer in almost any field.

You should write a little every day if you want to cultivate your literary skills. That's the beauty of a journal... because you don't need a revolutionary idea or original thought to write a successful entry into your journal. Other types of writing are not as forgiving; when you write poetry when you don't feel poetic or a story when you don't feel inspired, you will likely not turn out highly artistic words.


Featured Articles

Adventures with Del

In Memory of Delwin Olson
Posted on Jul 22, 2023 | Last Updated Aug 1, 2023
Olson family photo 2023A Meal in MedoraAt the Medora MusicalCorrine flies a droneDel Drives DuaneDel and DuaneDel Fuzz and DuaneDelwin Laughing as Corrine gets SakeDelwin Secures BoatDel on BoatDel teaches Hayden how to run a riding lawn mowerDriving Lessons from DelwinEating in MedoraDog jumps on DelDelwin with HadleyDelwin and Jim at GardenDelwin and Kent Goof OffDelwin and PamDelwin and PamDelwin and ShawnDelwin and Shawn on Old BaldyShawn and Delwin on Old BaldyShawn and Delwin on mountain.Delwin OlsonDelwin Driving a BoatDelwin on PhoneDelwin climbs a rockDelwin on TractorDelwin on Killdeer MountainDelwin on a HikeDelwin on Killdeer MountainsDelwin sitting on mountainsideDelwin on Killdeer Mountain.Delwin Olson on Old BaldyDelwin and GranddaughtersDelwin rescues the kidsDelwin Scans the DistanceDelwin raises armsDelwin at StoveDelwin Cooking BreakfastDelwin with GranddaughtersDelwin with Kids on QuadOlsons in Medora 2022Delwin, Duane and ShawnDuane and DelwinFuzz and DelGroup photoDel and CorrineIce Cream in MedoraJim and Delwin with metal detectorLast hike on Old BaldyMeal at BuckskinMeal at BuckskinOlson Family PhotoShawn and Delwin on MountainShawn and DelShawn and Del on BoatShawn and Delwin in a truckShawn, Ethan and Delwin on Old BaldyThumbs Upfamily hike

Photos and tribute to my friend and cousin Delwin Olson.

Read More

delwin olson, del, killdeer, north dakota, tragic loss

Latest Articles

Free World

Posted on Dec 16, 2002 | Last Updated May 17, 2006

The First Installment of Free World.

Read More

Free World

The Mask of Rogue 7: Chapter 2

Posted on Dec 16, 2002 | Last Updated Oct 30, 2011

Chapter 2 in the Mask of Rogue 7 science fiction series.

Read More

mask of rogue 7, captain jarolds

The Mask of Rogue 7 - Chapter 1

Posted on Dec 9, 2002 | Last Updated Oct 30, 2011

Part one of the Mask of Rogue 7 science fiction series by Shawn Olson.

Read More

mask rogue 7, rogue seven, science fiction

A Day at the Dentist

Posted on Nov 25, 2002 | Last Updated Oct 30, 2011

A weird and horrific story about a trip to the dentist gone wrong.

Read More

day dentist, dentist horror, dentist fiction

The Life of Clarence Himes

Posted on Oct 19, 2002 | Last Updated Oct 30, 2011

A biography of Clarence Himes by his grandson Shawn Olson.

Read More

clarence himes, grandpa, biography

Hirsch shoulda did his homework

Posted on Oct 19, 2002 | Last Updated Oct 26, 2011

A stab at E. D. Hirsch's misplaced criticism of John Dewey.

Read More

e.d. hirsch, john dewey, educational debate

Empty is as full as it gets

Posted on Oct 19, 2002 | Last Updated Oct 26, 2011

Humorous piece by Shawn Olson about cars, originally printed in the Columbus Messenger.

Read More

cars gasoline, gas bill, gas tank, empty gas

Cringe Photos 1

Posted on Oct 19, 2002 | Last Updated Oct 30, 2011
Corbin - CringeBecky Fontaine | Tom Cline - CringeButch and Corbin - CringeRyan Wilder - CringeButch and Corbin - CringeMat Marcum - CringeCringe

Photos of Cringe at the Alrosa Villa on August 23, 2002. This was my first encounter with the band that became one of my favorite bands of all time.

Read More

cringe band photos, cringe concert photos, music, rock band photos, shawn o

A bankrupt soul

Posted on Oct 19, 2002 | Last Updated Oct 30, 2011

A poem on inner emptiness that comes with a single-minded obsession with materialism.

Read More

bankrupt soul poem, loneliness, shallow heart, greed, materialism

Some thoughts on learning

Posted on Oct 19, 2002 | Last Updated Oct 26, 2011

Shawn Olson criticizes the standard battle between educators promoting exclusive learning styles.

Read More

learning styles, teaching styles

Comment

No HTML Tags are permitted.

Wall Worm plugins and scripts for 3ds Max