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Writing Samples

John and Brooke

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

Adventures with Del

In Memory of Delwin Olson
Posted on Jul 22, 2023 | Last Updated Aug 1, 2023
Olson family photo 2023A Meal in MedoraAt the Medora MusicalCorrine flies a droneDel Drives DuaneDel and DuaneDel Fuzz and DuaneDelwin Laughing as Corrine gets SakeDelwin Secures BoatDel on BoatDel teaches Hayden how to run a riding lawn mowerDriving Lessons from DelwinEating in MedoraDog jumps on DelDelwin with HadleyDelwin and Jim at GardenDelwin and Kent Goof OffDelwin and PamDelwin and PamDelwin and ShawnDelwin and Shawn on Old BaldyShawn and Delwin on Old BaldyShawn and Delwin on mountain.Delwin OlsonDelwin Driving a BoatDelwin on PhoneDelwin climbs a rockDelwin on TractorDelwin on Killdeer MountainDelwin on a HikeDelwin on Killdeer MountainsDelwin sitting on mountainsideDelwin on Killdeer Mountain.Delwin Olson on Old BaldyDelwin and GranddaughtersDelwin rescues the kidsDelwin Scans the DistanceDelwin raises armsDelwin at StoveDelwin Cooking BreakfastDelwin with GranddaughtersDelwin with Kids on QuadOlsons in Medora 2022Delwin, Duane and ShawnDuane and DelwinFuzz and DelGroup photoDel and CorrineIce Cream in MedoraJim and Delwin with metal detectorLast hike on Old BaldyMeal at BuckskinMeal at BuckskinOlson Family PhotoShawn and Delwin on MountainShawn and DelShawn and Del on BoatShawn and Delwin in a truckShawn, Ethan and Delwin on Old BaldyThumbs Upfamily hike

Photos and tribute to my friend and cousin Delwin Olson.

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delwin olson, del, killdeer, north dakota, tragic loss

Latest Articles

Saying Goodbye to Dad

Newsletter, July 27, 2013
Posted on Jul 27, 2013 | Last Updated Jul 27, 2013

Shawn Olson's Newsletter, July 27, 2013. News about my father's death.

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newsletter, don, olson, death, family

This Art is Alive

Posted on Apr 24, 2013 | Last Updated Apr 24, 2013

Poem about the nature of human interactions. We all want to impose ourselves, visions and beliefs onto others. But it is always a give-and-take adventure.

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communication, interaction, human, relations, relationship, paradigm, control

Stories from North Dakota

Posted on Mar 24, 2013 | Last Updated Mar 24, 2013

Some stories and thoughts related to North Dakota.

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North Dakota, Killdeer

Donald George Olson died at 72

Some memories and thoughts about my Dad
Posted on Mar 24, 2013 | Last Updated Apr 27, 2013
Donald Olson and Brianna SmithDad shows Hayden thumb trick.Dad smiles in HatDon and Donna Olson.don and shawnOlsons in Grove Citydonald and beverly olsonOlson Wedding PhotoDonald and EthanOlson Boys when Don moved outDad and HaroldFaith and Dad on CouchDalmas and DonaldShawn's First Birthday with Mom and DadOlson Brothers in KilldeerOlson Family Portrait.Olsons 1990Shawn, Doug and Donald.

My Dad, Donald George Olson, died on March 18, 2013... just four days shy of his 73rd birthday.

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donald olson, don, eulogy, death, died

Desktops are not extinct

Posted on Mar 8, 2012 | Last Updated Mar 8, 2012

Editorial discussing the notion that the time of the desktop is over. I argue that the advent of smart phones, tablets and mobile devices do not preclude the value of the desktop.

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computer, productivity, mobile device, ipad

Hiding in the Cracks

Posted on Feb 28, 2012 | Last Updated Feb 28, 2012

A poem about the illusion of discontinuity; questioning the static.

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MisCon 25

My Adventure with Onkel Sven.
Posted on Jun 5, 2011 | Last Updated Jun 15, 2017
John Dalmas and childJohn Dalmas and LadiesJohn Dalmas and William WarrenDalmas in the HoodRobert Lovely and John DalmasJohn Dalmas Giving ToastJohn and BrookeBill WarrenJohn the Story Teller

I traveled to Missoula, Montana with John Dalmas to participate in MisCon 25. I met several interesting characters including William Warren Jr, James Burk, Jim Glass and others.

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miscon, missoula, montana, sci-fi, scifi, science fiction convention, john dalmas

Forum Etiquette in the 21st Century

Posted on Feb 2, 2011 | Last Updated Jan 6, 2018

A short discussion on using online forums. Why I concluded that participation in forums should be limited.

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forums, online forums, social media, necroposting, flame wars, noobs, fanboy

Information Overload

An Over-Abundance of Information in the Information Age
Posted on Apr 4, 2010 | Last Updated Nov 12, 2011

An essay on the trends on the Internet that cause an explosion of information that is often antithetical to the ideals of democracy and progress. This essay cautions parents, teachers and community leaders to be wary of every emerging media outlet.

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internet, society, media, information, data, knowledge

Obama's Health Care Reform

Posted on Oct 1, 2009 | Last Updated Nov 12, 2011

A skeptical view on the political debate on health care reform in America. This article questions the entire premise of forcing health care insurance on the public.

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health care, reform, insurance

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