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
Good Memories from the Badlands








Photos from my trip to Killdeer and Medora in Western North Dakota.
Latest Articles
J. Ashburn Jr. Youth Center turns 40
History of the J. Ashburn Jr. Youth Center, a refuge for many children and teenagers in the Hilltop, a community on the West Side of Columbus, Ohio. Story from in the Columbus Messenger Newspapers for April 29, 2002 by staff writer Shawn Olson.
Psychics and Statistics
What happens when a Carl Sagan fan meets with person with psychic ability.
The idea of love
A philosophical look at the human emotion of love, originally printed in the Messenger.
The ephemeral soldier
A poem about veterans. Dedicated to my grandfather Clarence Himes.
Gun Issues
Looking at the gun control issue in America.
Junk Food won’t make you Chuck
A review of musical group Chuck's Junk by Shawn Olson, originally in the Westside Messenger.
The Public Disdain for Science
An essay about common public opinion towards science.
The nature of apathy
To be apathetic is to invite entropy, says Olson. How do we deal with it?
Muckraking in the New Millenium
Muckraking habits are still here as much as ever.