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The Writer's Roadmap: Paving the Way To Your Ideal Writing Life
Have you always dreamed of making a living from writing? Or even just a way to fit writing into your everyday life? But fear and doubt get in the way…
“What if I’m not good enough? What if nobody wants to read what I have to say? Where do I even start?” Your writing dream can seem impossibly hard to reach.
Writing teacher and author, Leigh Shulman, has helped hundreds of students overcome these blocks. Now in The Writer’s Roadmap she shares her twenty years experience of helping others to write and publish their way to their ideal writing lives.
In this essential writing guide, Leigh takes you through a combination of practical steps and mindset work to show you that achieving your writing aspirations is not only possible but joyful (and profitable.) Over the course of a weekend you can work through her hands-on writing exercises, real-life case studies from her students and stories from her own personal writing journey. The Writer’s Roadmap not only shows you how to decide what you want in your writing life but how to get there, too.
If you want to avoid the number one reason why most people never write, learn how to deal with rejection and believe you can earn money from your writing, then The Writer’s Roadmap will signpost the way to take that big scary writing dream and break it down into manageable steps.
Writing is a journey, but you’ll never reach your destination if you don’t take that first step. If you’re ready to stop dreaming and start writing then adventure awaits…
“What if I’m not good enough? What if nobody wants to read what I have to say? Where do I even start?” Your writing dream can seem impossibly hard to reach.
Writing teacher and author, Leigh Shulman, has helped hundreds of students overcome these blocks. Now in The Writer’s Roadmap she shares her twenty years experience of helping others to write and publish their way to their ideal writing lives.
In this essential writing guide, Leigh takes you through a combination of practical steps and mindset work to show you that achieving your writing aspirations is not only possible but joyful (and profitable.) Over the course of a weekend you can work through her hands-on writing exercises, real-life case studies from her students and stories from her own personal writing journey. The Writer’s Roadmap not only shows you how to decide what you want in your writing life but how to get there, too.
If you want to avoid the number one reason why most people never write, learn how to deal with rejection and believe you can earn money from your writing, then The Writer’s Roadmap will signpost the way to take that big scary writing dream and break it down into manageable steps.
Writing is a journey, but you’ll never reach your destination if you don’t take that first step. If you’re ready to stop dreaming and start writing then adventure awaits…
- GenresNonfictionWriting
100 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 4, 2018
25 people are currently reading
59 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
November 18, 2018
I took a lot of notes (and highlighted many passages) while reading this book and I know I'll be coming back to it time and time again. I really enjoyed the author's writing style and voice. Highly recommended!
October 27, 2018
This workbook takes you step-by-step through the process of creating a business plan for your writing. If you are serious about turning your writing into a viable career, you need to read this book.
There are examples and words of encouragement sprinkled through every section.
Fair warning though, if you read this book, you will have no excuse for not taking yourself seriously.
There are examples and words of encouragement sprinkled through every section.
Fair warning though, if you read this book, you will have no excuse for not taking yourself seriously.
November 16, 2018
This book was a quick and inspiring read. Shulman challenges and encourages the reader to stop dreaming and making excuses and to get to work, in a way that's easy to conceptualize. The book contains a wealth of nitty-gritty examples and some space to do your own dreaming an planning. A great kick-starter for the writing life!
October 29, 2018
Leigh has an engaging style and her explanations are clear with plenty of relevant examples. The step-by-step system to define your objectives - answering thought-provoking questions, using the “Not this, But this” examples - then your goals, systems and measures made it all doable! I especially loved the road trip analogy - it made the steps relatable - not easy for this type of exercise! Thank you Leigh - I now have a clear picture of where I want to go and the beginnings of a map on how to get there!
October 26, 2018
Make sure to have your notebook and pen ready, because The Writer’s Roadmap by Leigh Shulman has a plan for your success as a writer. Shulman clearly and succinctly lays out actionable steps so aspiring writers who want to achieve some level of success have a guide. Shulman uses a straightforward, easily comprehensible strategy for developing your own vision for your writing life (or really, any entrepreneurial venture), whether it’s as a full-time freelancer or finishing that novel. Examples from her own work as well as others help illuminate the steps, along with exercises to get you going. If you’re looking for a guide that will articulate a vision for your writing career, this is definitely one of the best guides around to get you started.
October 28, 2018
If you’re seeking clarity on your writing career and how to make it fulfilling creatively and materially, this practical guide is for you.
It takes some time and commitment to visualise the life you want and Leigh breaks it down into exercises to help you come up with a map that’s right for your lifestyle.
Leigh shares her own journey and her clients’ to show that it’s possible to achieve the writing career you want once you write out your objective, the ideal writing life for you, the goals to take you there, strategies to achieve the goals and the measures to assess which strategies are working for you.
I can’t wait to see where I end up next year!
It takes some time and commitment to visualise the life you want and Leigh breaks it down into exercises to help you come up with a map that’s right for your lifestyle.
Leigh shares her own journey and her clients’ to show that it’s possible to achieve the writing career you want once you write out your objective, the ideal writing life for you, the goals to take you there, strategies to achieve the goals and the measures to assess which strategies are working for you.
I can’t wait to see where I end up next year!
October 28, 2018
The Writers Roadmap is an excellent how to guide, not only to your dream Writing life, but also to any life to which you aspire.
Most importantly, you first work out your ultimate objective. Then you develop goals setting you in the direction of your objective. More specific strategies (an active to do list) and measures to quantify your success towards your objective, come next. Goals and strategies may overlap. Also money issues are taken into the picture.
Ms Shulman leads you by the hand through all the steps of OGSM (Objective, Goals, Strategies, Measures) with many examples, making the journey easy and interesting.
Good Luck on your successful travels.
Most importantly, you first work out your ultimate objective. Then you develop goals setting you in the direction of your objective. More specific strategies (an active to do list) and measures to quantify your success towards your objective, come next. Goals and strategies may overlap. Also money issues are taken into the picture.
Ms Shulman leads you by the hand through all the steps of OGSM (Objective, Goals, Strategies, Measures) with many examples, making the journey easy and interesting.
Good Luck on your successful travels.
October 26, 2018
This book has been a wonderful resource to clarify my priorities and to lead me to my truth for the time, objectives, values that I want to fully live. I’ve got quite the book of notes going — and I keep going back to them and getting clearer and clearer as Leigh Shulman prompts me to think deeper. I truly appreciate the WRITER’s ROADMAP for showing me a better, focused way and helping me to crystallize my message.
October 25, 2018
Surprised me, inspired me, and got me organized.
This is the information I was praying for and a must read for all artists/entrepreneurs.
This is the information I was praying for and a must read for all artists/entrepreneurs.
November 18, 2018
Practical, easy-to-implement advice for organizing and moving ideas about a writer's life into action. The 4 steps are clear and well-described, and the support offered feels genuine. Most important for this reader was how the author wove in the need to address personal and family goals and core values, not just goals about writing, creating the platform for a whole-person approach to being a writer. I also appreciated the understanding that writing occurs across a lifetime, so that the tips and strategies are not offered as a one-time, everything-will-fall-into-place-exactly-as-you-dreamed-it approach, but rather, an ongoing, ever-changing plan that moves one closer and closer to deep and abiding visions about one's life.
November 13, 2018
A clever little book which focuses on one key idea: to set meaningful, appropriate goals & break them down into steps you can measure. I don't love the acronym OGSM (for example, I'd usually say a strategy was higher level than goals, not the other way around), but of course it really doesn't matter what you call the various levels of your plan. Many creatives may resist feeling boxed in like this (personally, I love setting goals and planning actions, but struggle to pick just a few to focus on) but this is a highly worthwhile exercise for any of us who actually want to get somewhere with our writing projects.
Be aware this is a short, quick read: it's long enough to say what it needs to say, without padding. Personally, I appreciate that brevity, but know before you buy that you're getting one distinct piece of the writing puzzle. And, as with all learning of this kind, reading the book is not enough: you'll have to get your nose down to work to see the results!
Be aware this is a short, quick read: it's long enough to say what it needs to say, without padding. Personally, I appreciate that brevity, but know before you buy that you're getting one distinct piece of the writing puzzle. And, as with all learning of this kind, reading the book is not enough: you'll have to get your nose down to work to see the results!
November 15, 2018
Excellent resource for writers who understand that writing and publishing books is actually a business. Therefore, a writer needs a business plan. Shulman walks writers through that plan, step-by-step, using the OGSM business model: Objectives, goals, strategies, measures.
But lest readers get overwhelmed by those terms, she has great exercises to help readers uncover the answers to what their OGSM will be. I got a lot out of it. It clarified what I'm doing, why I'm doing it, and how I'm going to get there. I've been doing this plan for about two months now and it helps me every day. I wake up knowing how to prioritize and what to focus on, which otherwise can be overwhelming for a writer. Highly recommend.
But lest readers get overwhelmed by those terms, she has great exercises to help readers uncover the answers to what their OGSM will be. I got a lot out of it. It clarified what I'm doing, why I'm doing it, and how I'm going to get there. I've been doing this plan for about two months now and it helps me every day. I wake up knowing how to prioritize and what to focus on, which otherwise can be overwhelming for a writer. Highly recommend.
October 27, 2018
The “beginner’s mind” slant of this writer’s roadmap appeals to people like me who have tried to do Goal Setting and not gotten very far. This roadmap is like reverse engineering—Shulman leads us to begin with the finished product, our ideal life, and work back to what we do every day, then lays out how to get that in order. By using so much of her own experience to describe how to get to that ideal life we want, she gave me the confidence to work out the simple steps in the book. I think I liked the Measures chapter best—a new way of moving forward! I love feeling like I’m talking with Shulman over coffee, the lack of “should,” and the short exercises—everything’s doable! It’ll be hard NOT to succeed with this book in hand.
October 26, 2018
The Writer’s Roadmap provides direction to focus your writing career plans.
Author Leigh Shulman gives lost and wandering writers a way to organize and direct their career plans. I found the suggested format and the workbook style to be valuable tools. The exercises and questions at the end of the sections helped me focus on what I really want from my writing and how to make progress. If you feel you’re stalled and just sitting still, this book helps you with a plan to get your writing moving again, so you can celebrate living “your ideal writing life.”
*I was given an ecopy of this book with no requirement to write a review. I’m providing my honest opinion.
Author Leigh Shulman gives lost and wandering writers a way to organize and direct their career plans. I found the suggested format and the workbook style to be valuable tools. The exercises and questions at the end of the sections helped me focus on what I really want from my writing and how to make progress. If you feel you’re stalled and just sitting still, this book helps you with a plan to get your writing moving again, so you can celebrate living “your ideal writing life.”
*I was given an ecopy of this book with no requirement to write a review. I’m providing my honest opinion.
October 7, 2020
Good place to start and to return to
The Writer's Roadmap obviously is marketed to writers. It really fits a bigger market: if you can fog a mirror and aspire to be something more than you are today, Shulman's book will help you get there.
A roadmap is exactly what is. She gives tools to explore where you are and where you want to be. Then, just as with a map, you make plans for the steps you take to get to your destination. All with useful metrics to mull over to see just where you are on the path. In one sense, this is a SMART Goals philosophy applied to writing but, by tying the exercise to your dreams and objectives, it becomes much more of a personal manifesto.
A great place a start a jouurney from. Flexible and succinct. Start here and return often.
The Writer's Roadmap obviously is marketed to writers. It really fits a bigger market: if you can fog a mirror and aspire to be something more than you are today, Shulman's book will help you get there.
A roadmap is exactly what is. She gives tools to explore where you are and where you want to be. Then, just as with a map, you make plans for the steps you take to get to your destination. All with useful metrics to mull over to see just where you are on the path. In one sense, this is a SMART Goals philosophy applied to writing but, by tying the exercise to your dreams and objectives, it becomes much more of a personal manifesto.
A great place a start a jouurney from. Flexible and succinct. Start here and return often.
December 14, 2018
“Eureka!” Unlike Archimedes, you probably won’t be soaking in a bathtub when you have your “ah-ha” moment. Most likely, you’ll have just finished answering the questions and completing the exercises related to the first letter of the O-G-S-M method as advocated by Leigh Shulman in her workbook. As Leigh notes, you may not experience just one moment of self-revelation but a string of such moments as you work through the process. “O” stands for Objective, and once you’ve crafted yours, the rest of the process should fall into place as Leigh further prompts you to identify your Goals, develop Strategies for achieving them, and stipulate Measures for how well you’re doing. As Leigh points out, you’ll keep coming back to the “O” over the life cycle of your writing career, whether it’s a week from today—or decades. For me, the value of Leigh’s book is that it leads to a customized writing plan created not only for you but by you as well. This makes it different from other self-help books for writers that are more prescriptive in advocating a series of “how-to” steps rather than asking questions or, more to the point, asking you to ask questions of yourself. If all goes well, you should develop an “after” picture—a “blue sky” vision of your ideal writing life—that contrasts with your “before” state (that is, where you are right now). What about the things you’ll be doing while you’re pursuing your Objective? Leigh reminds you to maintain a lifestyle that keeps you balanced and grounded, for instance, maintaining healthy relationships and practicing self-care. In Leigh’s case, this includes hosting international writers’ retreats, managing a writing mentorship program, and offering an online workshop to empower women writers. On the other hand, as a result of the process, you may begin identifying distractors, impediments, and other time-wasters that you’ll need to reduce or eliminate so you can concentrate on your Goals. Overall, Leigh is a wonderful guide and mentor, and at the end of the O-G-S-M process, you should feel a boost to your self-confidence as a writer.
March 5, 2020
Excellent guidebook that helps writer organize and monetize writing in a way that brings joy and professional fulfillment. I love her holistic approach and philosophy of aligning the realities of both the writing and non-writing life. Shulman presents a process that encourages readers to develop actionable Objectives, Goals, Strategies, and Measures (OGSM). She shares her own OGSM’s as well as samples her clients created. These examples compel action and inspire the reader to think broadly.
Shulman has excellent ideas and a robust process, but there is some dissonance between the content and the medium. The book reads more like a workshop companion than a free-standing resource. It’s also not well-suited for digital consumption. Blank screens for notes disrupt the digital experience and prompt the reader to toggle to a notetaking app or grab a pen and paper.
I don’t want to diminish Shulman’s message; her insights are game-changing. I would just encourage prospective buyers to see if you can't attend her seminar or subscribe to her blog.
Shulman has excellent ideas and a robust process, but there is some dissonance between the content and the medium. The book reads more like a workshop companion than a free-standing resource. It’s also not well-suited for digital consumption. Blank screens for notes disrupt the digital experience and prompt the reader to toggle to a notetaking app or grab a pen and paper.
I don’t want to diminish Shulman’s message; her insights are game-changing. I would just encourage prospective buyers to see if you can't attend her seminar or subscribe to her blog.
December 18, 2018
I received a review copy of The Writer's Roadmap because I have followed Leigh's helpful writing newsletter for many years now. She helped me with some writing guidance several years ago, giving me questions to answer that helped to clarify what I wanted to do with my writing. I'm so glad she has finally taken her wisdom and put it together in a book so that more people can walk the path she has carved out for writers. She has done herself what she encourages other aspiring writers to do. She has made a life out of writing.
I don't know any writers who don't need at least a little hand-holding on getting organized about writing and with her book, Leigh is reaching back along the path to take our hands, show us where to go next and cheer us on our way.
I don't know any writers who don't need at least a little hand-holding on getting organized about writing and with her book, Leigh is reaching back along the path to take our hands, show us where to go next and cheer us on our way.
December 31, 2018
I received a copy of The Writer’s Roadmap with no requirement to review. I’m giving my honest opinion. This is a short and sweet read that establishes a much bigger picture for writers of all types. As someone who thrives on structure, Leigh’s OGSM plan spoke to me as a sustainable system for getting work done, and aspiring to achievable goals and timelines. The examples she uses, specifically in a “Not This” “But This” format, were extremely informative and made her message very digestible. I would recommend this book to anyone looking to get a fresh structured start on their writing in the New Year, and I can’t wait to see what Leigh publishes next!
April 18, 2020
Three-line review: Shulman is a long-time friend and colleague of mine, and she's perfected a plan that helps people outline and reach their goals. Though written for people with writing-specific goals, the strategy outlined here can be applied to professional goal-setting in general. For those who need more guidance or support to follow through and follow up, visit Shulman's online writing resources and blog.
March 12, 2023
A practical, easy-to-follow guide for developing a writing plan based on current and long-term goals. I had struggled to define what I really want to write about -- and what I don't -- until I read this. And it's not just for fiction writers!
I highly recommend Leigh's webinars and workshop because she gives practical advice relevant to many types of writers
I highly recommend Leigh's webinars and workshop because she gives practical advice relevant to many types of writers
December 18, 2019
2.5 stars. I was distracted by typos and unsupported assertions. (There's even a typo in the title of this book on Goodreads.) I'll see how things go with my OGSM, the framework at the heart of this book. Maybe it will surprise me.
February 14, 2020
Great tool!
Quick and easy to use, this writing tool is great for both the novice and experienced writer to get organized and motivated. I will be keeping this electronic copy handy as I keep working towards my goals!
Quick and easy to use, this writing tool is great for both the novice and experienced writer to get organized and motivated. I will be keeping this electronic copy handy as I keep working towards my goals!
July 1, 2024
This a no holds barred get off your butt and start that writing project today workbook.
No nonsense, clear language and how to go from dreaming about being a writer to respecting yourself enough to get words on paper.
Thank you Leigh Shulman.
No nonsense, clear language and how to go from dreaming about being a writer to respecting yourself enough to get words on paper.
Thank you Leigh Shulman.
August 5, 2024
The Writer's Roadmap by Leigh Shulman is an amazing writer's craft book. Unlike several that I've read, this one has little to do with writing tips and tricks and everything to do with treating your writing like a business.
I was worried that the book wasn't going to agree with my creative mind, but I soon learned how wrong I was. This roadmap helped me determine what I wanted from my writing (the objective) and then helped me create a clear plan for getting what I want (goals, strategies, and measures). Having this roadmap allows busy authors to determine what things to say yes to and which things to let go. Because, let's face it, we can't do it all!
I highly recommend this book to authors, especially those who feel they have too much on their plate and don't know which way to turn.
I was worried that the book wasn't going to agree with my creative mind, but I soon learned how wrong I was. This roadmap helped me determine what I wanted from my writing (the objective) and then helped me create a clear plan for getting what I want (goals, strategies, and measures). Having this roadmap allows busy authors to determine what things to say yes to and which things to let go. Because, let's face it, we can't do it all!
I highly recommend this book to authors, especially those who feel they have too much on their plate and don't know which way to turn.
February 26, 2020
I wrote a review for this book on Online Book Club!
This book is very helpful to new authors!
The link to the review is here: https://forums.onlinebookclub.org/vie...
This book is very helpful to new authors!
The link to the review is here: https://forums.onlinebookclub.org/vie...
February 24, 2019
Creative clarity for any writer at any stage!
Leigh’s timely and enlightening book is the much-needed practical nudge to help you break through life blocks and start writing again with intention! If you feel like you’re working so hard but not making progress, this handy easy-to-digest roadmap provides creative clarity to get you back on track or create the unique path you need to be traveling down.
By helping you discover what you need to be focusing on while phasing out unfulfilling tasks, Leigh psychologically breaks down our mental blocks as writers, and guides us in a direct yet empathetic way of taking back control.
This is a book I wish I had early on in my career to avoid numerous timewasting detours I took on my writer’s journey. And in just a few hours over a transatlantic flight, I’ve used Leigh’s guidebook to clearly remap how to proactively take my writing career to new heights!
Leigh’s timely and enlightening book is the much-needed practical nudge to help you break through life blocks and start writing again with intention! If you feel like you’re working so hard but not making progress, this handy easy-to-digest roadmap provides creative clarity to get you back on track or create the unique path you need to be traveling down.
By helping you discover what you need to be focusing on while phasing out unfulfilling tasks, Leigh psychologically breaks down our mental blocks as writers, and guides us in a direct yet empathetic way of taking back control.
This is a book I wish I had early on in my career to avoid numerous timewasting detours I took on my writer’s journey. And in just a few hours over a transatlantic flight, I’ve used Leigh’s guidebook to clearly remap how to proactively take my writing career to new heights!
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews