Neal Shusterman Quotes

Powerful Neal Shusterman for Daily Growth

About Neal Shusterman

Neal Shusterman is an acclaimed American author, born on November 15, 1962, in Brooklyn, New York. Raised in Southern California, he developed a love for storytelling at a young age, often creating his own comics and short stories. Shusterman's passion for writing was further fueled during his studies at UCLA, where he majored in screenwriting. His professional career began by writing scripts for various television shows, including "The Twilight Zone," "Goosebumps," and "Animaniacs." However, it wasn't until 1989 that Shusterman published his first novel, "Zen Wars," a science fiction adventure. One of Shusterman's most significant influences is the relationship he shares with his twin brother, Jarrod. The brothers often collaborate on their works, with Neal focusing on the plot and characters while Jarrod takes care of illustrations. Their joint works include "Bickford Barr" and "The Schwa Was Here." In 1997, Shusterman published "Everything On a Waffle," which earned him the prestigious National Book Award. This success paved the way for more critically acclaimed novels such as the Unwind Dystology series (2013-2015), "Challenger Deep" (2012), and most recently, the Arc of a Scythe series (2018-present). Shusterman's works often explore philosophical themes such as life, death, and free will, using captivating narratives and unique storytelling techniques. His writing style has been praised for its emotional depth, character development, and thought-provoking plots that appeal to both young adults and adults alike. Today, Neal Shusterman continues to create compelling stories that challenge readers to think deeply about the world around them while captivating their imagination with his richly detailed worlds and unforgettable characters.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Every choice has a cost."

This quote by Neal Shusterman emphasizes that every decision we make in life comes with a price, whether it's an immediate consequence or one that becomes apparent over time. It reminds us to weigh the potential costs and benefits of our choices carefully, recognizing that making a choice often means giving up something else equally valuable. Understanding this truth can help foster mindfulness, responsibility, and appreciation for the power of our actions in shaping our lives.


"The difference between a free world and a controlled one is not whether we're allowed choices—it's how many choices we're given."

This quote emphasizes that freedom isn't merely about having the ability to make choices, but rather it lies in the scope and variety of choices available. A free society offers a multitude of options, enabling its citizens to shape their lives independently, whereas a controlled one restricts those possibilities, limiting individual autonomy and self-expression. The quote suggests that the true measure of freedom is not just whether we can choose, but how much we can genuinely choose from.


"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning to dance in the rain."

This quote by Neal Shusterman suggests that life is not about merely enduring hardships or difficult times, but finding a way to cope and even thrive amidst challenges. Instead of waiting for problems to disappear, it encourages individuals to adapt, find joy, and maintain resilience in the face of adversity. Essentially, it's about embracing life's ups and downs and learning to navigate them with grace and positivity.


"In a world where everyone could see the future, no one believed in fate anymore."

This quote suggests that if people had the ability to foresee their future, they might lose faith in destiny or predetermined outcomes. Instead, they might attribute their futures to personal choices, actions, and circumstances, rather than accepting events as inevitable or predestined by some unseen force. Essentially, this quote posits that knowledge of the future can erode trust in fate, and foster an emphasis on self-reliance and decision-making.


"The future is a blank canvas, and it can be painted with many different colors—but only if you have the courage to pick up the brush."

This quote underscores that our future is not predetermined; it's an open-ended prospect full of possibilities. It encourages individuals to embrace their agency, to be brave in choosing their path, and to take action towards creating the life they desire - symbolized by picking up the brush to paint a unique future with diverse colors. Essentially, the quote inspires us to seize opportunities and shape our own destiny.


I have a color-coded computer spreadsheet that divides things down to chapter fragments. Each character's point-of-view is a different color. The text of the manuscript is color-coded the same way. The last thing I do before submitting the manuscript is turn all those colors back to black.

- Neal Shusterman

Color, Back, Before, Chapter

I post on Twitter regularly, and when I checked my followers, I saw that my own characters were following me. They sounded eerily like my characters would actually sound. It was a very surreal thing to see come to life digitally!

- Neal Shusterman

Sound, Own, Very, Surreal

Before I start, I trick myself into thinking I know what's going to happen in the story, but the characters have ideas of their own, and I always go with the character's choices. Most of the time I discover plot twists and directions that are better than what I originally had planned.

- Neal Shusterman

Own, Before, Had, Twists

I thought 'UnSouled' would come in at around 400 pages, but it took 650 pages, and even then I felt like I was rushing the conclusion, so I asked my editor and publisher if I could divide it again. So a sequel became a trilogy, and the trilogy became a tetralogy - although we're not calling it that.

- Neal Shusterman

Thought, Around, Became, Trilogy

My fans have always been so supportive, and several years ago, I realized that I could thank them by naming all my characters after my Twitter and Facebook fans.

- Neal Shusterman

Always, Supportive, Been, Naming

Try to see things differently - It's the only way to get a clearer perspective on the world and on your life.

- Neal Shusterman

Life, Way, Your, Clearer

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