Neal Holtschulte's Writing Blog
TLDR: R. Scott Bakker's fiction is out of this world. Someone said that the secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources. Well I'm on to you Bakker. It says on the inside jacket that you study philosophy and ancient languages. Lucky for you I don't have time or inclination for those subjects.… Continue reading Review: The White-Luck Warrior
TLDR: Unraveling high-level problems in a novel is a mess. I do not understand it, but will share my thoughts on the process nonetheless. Last Monday my critique group had a special meeting in which we discussed high-level writing concerns like plot and structure rather than our usual nose-in-the-dirt critique of individual scenes. I came… Continue reading Gordian Plot
TLDR: The three keys for writing success (or any success really): practice, seek knowledge, challenge yourself. In my opinion, there are three keys for writing success (or any success really). To grow and develop, it's best to intermingle these three activities: Practice Learn Stretch Practice is where you cement the skills you have learned. Practice… Continue reading My Three Keys for Writing Success
TLDR: When it comes to writing, what you do is less important than how you do it. I read (or am reading) three very different books recently. First, Hey Ladies by Moss and Markowitz, in which eight oblivious, self-centered friends arrange social events over email and make horrible life choices. Second, Zero Sum Game by… Continue reading The Details
TLDR: My story, Space Man's Anchor, was selected as one of the winners of the Hive, Queen, and Country fiction contest. If hard science and Victorians are your jam, you should check out the Hive, Queen, and Country RPG, as well as my story which is free to download here, alongside the other contest winners.… Continue reading Hive, Queen, and Country Contest Winner
Haste Writing 