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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

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

Me, Myself & Mr PC

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

Unpublished piece on personal computers by Shawn Olson.

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personal computers, evolving technology

Her Shadow Walks On

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

A poem about a lost love.

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her shadow, personal anguish

America’s New War

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

A reaction to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on America, written shortly after the attacks.

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terrorism, america's new war

Nature and Education

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

Shawn Olson calls for more inclusion of nature in education.

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nature education, natural curiosity

A Yahoo Speaks Out

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

An unpublished editorial where Shawn Olson responds to a crankpot reader.

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yahooism, censorship, prudish critics

He Whom I Know

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

Poem on personal identity and the paradox between our inner self and the persona we share with the world around us.

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personal identity poem, shadows, vagrant, soul

The Price of Learning: Gradecard Dilemma

Posted on Oct 19, 2002 | Last Updated Aug 16, 2013

There is a paradox concerning a parent's push for good grades. The kids don't care about learning.

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misplaced values in education, gradecard dilemma

Pet People

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

A Chalkboard column by Shawn Olson about regulars at a pet store.

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pet owner habits, peculiarities of pet owners, pet store, pet people, anima

Using the Internet

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

This editorial on education was printed as a Chalkboard column in the Messenger.

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how people can use the internet, internet value

Exhausted Melodies

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

A poem about the repetitive nature of human nature. We all share certain core elements that repeat over the ages, linking us to humanity.

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exhausted melodies, human patterns, historic humanity, ballad of history, p

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