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Dalmas in the Hood
John Dalmas and child

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

Good Memories from the Badlands

Posted on May 31, 2021 | Last Updated Jun 1, 2021
Shawn Hiking in Killdeer

Photos from my trip to Killdeer and Medora in Western North Dakota.

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killdeer, medora, badlands, north dakota, photos, animals, landscape

Latest Articles

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

Everything Fades

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

A poem on losing someone close. I wrote it in memory of my Grandfather Clarence Himes.

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loss sadness, death, mourning loss, family death

Integrating Families

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

An unpublished editorial on integrating families.

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integrating families, family problems

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.

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learning styles, teaching styles

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