In this survival guide the author wryly admits to having been creatively writing since aged eleven. He says that writers are born that way, they can't help it, and they will either explain how they love writing or how they hate it because it is so hard to do well; or both, sometimes in the one sentence. LIVE TO WRITE ANOTHER DAY encompasses screenplays, stories, advertising, stage plays, web content and other material, with personal experiences.

Procrastination, not to be confused with putting off ever starting, or writer's block, is part of the skill, says Dean Orion, letting writers figure out the content in their heads and develop the story before going near the page. So don't worry about it!

Screenwriter Woody Allen is quoted, saying that eighty percent of success in life is just showing up. When a writer has a routine and sticks to it, that becomes the writing space. Orion gives the example of borrowing a friend's office after hours for peace and quiet. Research before starting even the lightest fiction is strongly recommended and Orion gives examples of how he personally outlines a story and builds up characters before beginning. As most of his work is screenplays he tends to focus on location and jumps from one scene to the next.

Orion emphasises that constructive criticism is very useful but the writer may have to address issues on different levels. If someone says they did not like a character - why? Use the ideas given to you to make the story better. Writing with a partner however involves giving up half of the creative autonomy so requires a lot of trust as well as respect. Pitching a project to a prospective buyer or reader will be done differently by different people; Orion gives examples from his work on The Invisible Man. You're not just pitching the work, he says; you are pitching yourself. Are you someone that the other person wants to work with?

"Financial success is one thing and artistic success is entirely another," Orion warns. I found a lot of similar pithy advice in this short, friendly book, with discussion topics, and while not all of it will apply to every writer, it would be useful for someone thinking of becoming a writer for hire, or a creative writer, to see the pitfalls and gain the benefits of a professional's experience. Orion advises those considering writing to surround themselves with a community of writers. Picking up LIVE TO WRITE ANOTHER DAY would be a good start.