Writing Samples
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
Reflections and Infections
An essay about the need for more philosophy (love of wisdom) in an age of growing xenophobia.
Latest Articles
My Experience at Westland High School
How an honor-roll student can lose heart and drop out
An overview of Shawn Olson's experience at Westland High School.
Some observations on smokers
You can't argue with people who are addicted to cigarettes.
Human ability and prejudice
Prejudice is a part of our world fading, but never quickly enough.
Subjects in the Classroom and Life
A discussion on the utilitarian value of the subjects our schools teach. This editorial on education was one of the last pieces Shawn Olson printed as a Messenger writer.
The Happy Worker
An essay on the coomon person's role in the workforce.
A bankrupt soul
A poem on inner emptiness that comes with a single-minded obsession with materialism.
