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Shawn, Doug and Donald.

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 Barack Obama Presidency

Posted on Nov 15, 2008 | Last Updated Nov 12, 2011

Some observations on American politics and culture in the wake of the election of Barack Obama to the presidency of the United States of America.

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barack obama, america, president, barrack

Infection of the Heart

Posted on Nov 9, 2008 | Last Updated Nov 12, 2011

Poem about despair and the false questions that can lead us into the darkest areas of the human heart. A poem for Vince Kingrea, who sadly took his own life.

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despair, suicidal, depression

Promoting Interest in the Classroom

Posted on Sep 22, 2008 | Last Updated Nov 12, 2011

An essay about the role teachers play in making subjects interesting, valuable and relevant to students. Prompted by an Open-House visit to Westland High School.

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education, interest

The Phantom Dollar

Posted on Sep 21, 2008 | Last Updated Nov 12, 2011

Essay on American debt, credit abuse and the lies of economicists and politicians.

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debt, money, credit, banks, investors

Ambitions and Weekends

Posted on Jun 9, 2008 | Last Updated Nov 12, 2011

Essay on being self-aware and realizing that the human psyche has some hardwired contradictions and paradoxes.

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human, self-aware

Cultural Cataracts

Posted on Nov 12, 2007 | Last Updated Nov 12, 2011

A personal conversation about the challenges facing educational and cultural progress in the face of overwhelming ignorance and myopia.

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parenting, education, society, culture

A Trip Down Hoopty Lane

Posted on Jul 18, 2007 | Last Updated Dec 7, 2014

An American Hoopty adventure to fix a van that turns into a car hater's nightmare.

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car, van, automotive, repair, fix, hoopty

Greg Oden, Buckeyes and Basketball

Posted on Apr 16, 2007 | Last Updated Nov 11, 2011

Commentary on collegiate basketball, American colleges and professional sports.

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sports, college, greg oden, osu, buckeyes

Return to Norton Middle School

Posted on Apr 4, 2007 | Last Updated Nov 11, 2011

Short essay recounting a day I spent at Norton Middle School with Gary Sigrist.

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school

Stalling Court Murders and Media

Posted on Feb 8, 2007 | Last Updated Nov 11, 2011

Two people were murdered in Stalling Court and the media is swarming it.

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media, sensationalism, murder

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