Not really about writing but writers talking about writing. So still about writing. Actually, its all about writing but about life too. As writers, you should have a life beyond the keyboard.

Last week, I wrote about Daily Rituals and how much I have unexpectedly loved the book as part of my morning ritual. This week, I write to share with you the other half of that morning routine that I also mentioned.

While making my morning coffee, I wrote about how I will read one writer or artist’s routine in the book Daily Rituals. The other book I read while waiting for the coffee to brew is The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday. 

I’ll be honest, I haven’t even finished this book so I shouldn’t write a review of it but I had to tell others what I’ve read so far. This book is fantastic! However, there is a caveat.

The book has nothing to do with teach you how to write but has everything to with how writers and other artist worked. It’s a book about their daily process. Now, that sounded boring to me when I first read it but if you have a morning routine, evening routine, gym routine or you are working full time, juggling a family and trying to write the next great script or novel, then this book may be of interest to you.

This book tells you in a few paragraphs the daily rituals of great writers and artist. Here is the big caveat on this book and how I recommend you use it - make it part of your own daily ritual.

I’ve made it part of my daily ritual and I love it! Here’s how it goes -

ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD by QUENTIN TARANTINO

This is the best book on writing that is not about writing I have ever read. We all know the movie and hopefully you have read the script. What you get in the novel that we don’t get in the movie is an insight into how a genius of storyteller like Tarantino breaks a story.

THE HOLLYWOOD PITCHING BIBLE

For every writer that ever has to pitch a project, The Hollywood Pitching Bible is the MOST essential book on pitching you will ever need. I don’t mean to be hyperbolic, but this is by far the best book on pitching projects that I have ever read.

For all those future Show Runners or out there or those who want to create their own animation production company this is the book for you. If you are an aspiring Hollywood screenwriter, this book is still worth a read to provide insight into the most professional group creative process possibly ever developed.

Before you even begin. Before you put pen to page. Before you type FADE IN:. Before you spend months or years working on a script or book, you need the right idea.