Exploratory Writing: Everyday magic for life and work

by Alison Jones

Simple tools, extraordinary results.

Everything we’re learning about how we function best as humans in the digital age is pointing towards one of our oldest technologies: the pen and the page.

Exploratory writing – writing for ourselves, not for others, writing when we don’t know exactly what it is we want to say – is one of the most powerful and lightweight thinking tools we have at our disposal. It’s also been, until now, one of the most overlooked.

But the world’s most influential leaders are increasingly using the techniques in this book to support the key skills of the 21st century – self-mastery, creativity, focus, solution-finding, collaboration – and so can you.

Alison Jones has been helping business leaders identify and articulate what matters over a 30-year career in publishing and as a coach. The founder of Practical Inspiration Publishing and host of The Extraordinary Business Book Club podcast and community, she is passionate about the power of writing to change ourselves and the world.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction

216 pages, Paperback

Published December 13, 2022

About the author

I am passionate about supporting people and books that make a difference.

A veteran of the publishing industry, I worked for 25 years with leading companies such as Chambers, Oxford University Press and Macmillan before I founded Practical Inspiration Publishing in 2014.

I host The Extraordinary Business Book Club (www.extraordinarybusinessbooks.com), a podcast and community for writers and readers of extraordinary business books, and have written and edited several books, including This Book Means Business: Clever ways to plan and write a book that works harder for your business (Practical Inspiration Publishing, 2018) and Exploratory Writing: Everyday magic for life and work (2022).

Reviews

[Cari Mayhew · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book. However, I was hoping for guidance on writing for therapeutic reasons, but this book is more geared toward exploratory writing for business reasons. That said, the appendix at the back of the book with prompts and questions to ask for reflecting on matters may prove to be useful.

[Bec Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. I was lucky enough to read an early proof and as soon as I started reading I tested out the premise - that just 6 minutes of freewriting can transform how you think and write, also how you solve problems, find innovation. I use it for everything from planning a speech or an article to working out business strategy and tactics.

This book has profound implications for any writer. Stop fearing the blank page and get started with a simple practice of exploratory writing that will transform your life on and off the page.

It is packed full of practical tips - shared with enthusiasm and rigour - it is the perfect companion to deepen your critical thinking. Writer, publisher and podcast host Alison Jones will guide your life in ways you wouldn’t expect.

[daniella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy to review. Exploratory Writing presents the why and how of writing in a way that can be accessible and enjoyable for many. A few of the takeaways for me are: 1. writing is fun, 2. writing can help us see more of what is in front of us, and 3. writing can be just for you. The neuroscience behind why writing is helpful was also interesting. This is more of a why and how of writing, not what I expected but definitely helpful. It reads more like a self-help book than anything. I disliked what I read as the emphasis on self-not much if any mention about community or the challenges of living in our current society (classism, sexism, homophobia, ableism, racism, etc).

[Odette Lattimer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for the advanced copy.

This for me is an introduction and I found it thoroughly fascinating, I loved that it felt very accessible. I find this topic fascinating now and this will be a start of an enjoyable journey for me

Highly recommended

[Michelle Kidwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exploratory Writing
Everyday magic for life and work
by Alison Jones
Pub Date 13 Dec 2022 | Archive Date 05 Jan 2023
Practical Inspiration Publishing
Nonfiction (Adult) | Reference


I am reviewing a copy of Exploratory Writing through Practical Inspiration Publishing and Netgalley:


Everything we’re learning about how we function best as humans in the digital age is pointing towards one of our oldest technologies: the pen and the page. As much as technology has a place in writing simple tools too can offer extraordinary results.


Exploratory writing is writing for ourselves, not for others. It's writing when we don't know what exactly what it is we want to say – is one of the most powerful and lightweight thinking tools we have at our disposal. It’s also been, until now, one of the most overlooked. But the world’s most influential leaders are increasingly using the techniques in this book to support the key skills of the 21st century self-mastery, creativity, focus, solution-finding, collaboration and so can you.


Allison Jones is the founder of Practical Inspiration Publishing and host of The Extraordinary Business Book Club podcast and community, she is passionate about the power of writing to change ourselves and the world. Alison Jones has been helping business leaders identify and articulate what matters over a 30-year career in publishing and as a coach.


I give Exploratory Writing five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

[Laura Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read a lot of books about writing, but this one is something different. I really enjoyed it.

Part one is basically an introduction to exploratory writing: the science behind it and how to do it. It was a bit long for my liking and I found myself keen to get to part two.

That was when the book really came into its own. In part two there are loads of writing exercises that are original and valuable, using techniques that I have never come across before. They really help you to get down to the core of what you are trying to say and would be ideal if you are brainstorming ideas for a book or trying to write your way out of a problem.

Don’t let the fact that this book is written for business put you off. There is plenty here for all kinds of writer, no matter how and what you write.

I would recommend this book for any writer who wants techniques to help them free up their writing and help them to plumb their hidden depths.

With thanks to Netgalley and Practical Inspiration Publishing for this advance review copy. All opinions are my own.

[Corinne Rodrigues · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exploratory Writing is a breath of fresh air in our increasingly digital world. This book underlines the age-old practice of using pen and paper for personal exploration, and it's a game-changer. I can't stress enough how vital this tool is for anyone, no matter what walk of life you come from.

The first part of the book provides an insightful introduction to exploratory writing. It delves into the science behind it, explaining why it's such a powerful thinking tool. While this section might be a tad lengthy for some, I found it to be an essential foundation for understanding the value of this practice. It's not just about jotting down thoughts; it's about harnessing the true potential of your mind.

But for me, the book truly shines in its second part. Here, you'll discover a treasure trove of writing exercises that are not only original but also incredibly valuable. These techniques are unlike any I've encountered before. They guide you in digging deep into your thoughts when you're not even sure what you want to say. This is a lifeline if you're brainstorming ideas for a book or grappling with a problem in your life. It's like having a trusted friend who helps you navigate the labyrinth of your thoughts.

Now, don't be put off by the fact that the book is primarily targeted at business professionals. It's a misconception to think that exploratory writing is exclusive to the corporate world. No matter who you are or what you write, this book is a goldmine of techniques to free up your creativity and uncover hidden depths.

In a world that's drowning in technology, "Exploratory Writing" brings us back to a fundamental and timeless practice. It has the potential to transform the way you think, create, and problem-solve. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to any writer or individual who is looking to unleash their creativity, sharpen their focus, and discover the untapped potential within their own mind. It's a powerful reminder of the enduring strength of the pen and the page.

[Joachim · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good book which describes various benefits of this kind of free writing without any worry and to just bring one’s thoughts to paper without any planning. One can always use it as a starting point for a more structured work down the line. It may help to better understand other people by writing down thoughts from another person’s perspective or to reflect on own negative thoughts and may transform them into something positive. These are just two examples of many other benefits.

In the appendix, the book also adds numerous “prompts” as starting points for looking at issues in a different way.

It certainly helped me to have another tool available for tackling problems and to be more creative which I was not that aware of before.

[Frank · Rating 2 out of 5]

Far too much filler. This could have been a magazine article. I gave it 2 stars instead of 1 star because it does give some writing prompts.

Instead of this, read Opening Up: The Healing Power of Expressing Emotions by James Pennebaker. You don't have to read the parts dealing with his experiments.

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book a delight to read. It is really well written and engaging, gentle, inspiring, and thought provoking. There are lots and lots of creative ideas suggested to help improve my writing. Thank you.

[Alissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book as a part of a leadership program, and while initially a bit skeptical, I’m glad I picked it up. While I’m not someone who plans to incorporate exploratory writing in my everyday life, I can see specific instances where I’ll use it and it will be helpful.

[Melisa Buie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t say enough good things about this book. The author has captured many disparate ideas to spark creativity through exploration.

[Nick Rogers · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not very interesting

[C.K. Sorens · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great introduction to using exploratory writing for business. This is a great accessible alternative for those who may feel The Artist’s Way is a little too much.

[Annette Edge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Game changer!

It probably isn’t obvious how a writing technique might benefit both your writing AND your life, but this book really does deliver on that. Effective communication, understanding the perspectives of others, negotiating with your inner chimp; all covered right here, as well unlocking writer’s block and arriving at inspired ideas.

The book contains exercises per chapter which helped to process the detail. I don’t often complete a “guide” with any real feeling of being able to take it forward as part of my daily routine but I genuinely believe exploratory writing will be an invaluable asset for my wellbeing, writing and work!

[Bookish and Broke · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book just a few weeks ago, and yet no tangible ideas have stuck with me. I would say this speaks to the book’s impact, and it does, but that’s not the whole truth.
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“Exploratory Writing” left a mild impression on me. It splashed a few drops of fuel onto a flame I feared would go out: my passion for writing. My anxiety has gotten the best of me (or brought out the worst) these past few years, and I’ve hardly written at all. But when I finished this book, I bit the biscuit and sat down to write a brief passage.
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Ever since then, my commitment to working through my writing anxiety has been renewed. It’s not a magic cure, but it’s just the shove I needed.
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I recommend this book if you need that shove, too.

[Damian Regan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't really enjoy this book, but on reflection I don't think I'm the intended audience. The practice outlined here is what I would call 'morning pages with a prompt'. And as someone who keeps a journal already and writes almost daily, there is nothing profound here.

Alison Jones points out early in the book that she discovered the power of 'exploratory writing' for herself just by sitting down in exasperation to write about a stressful situation, not knowing what else to do. Anyone else can discover this power for themselves as well, just by sitting and writing about what's on their mind.

With that said, I do think the book might be useful for people who have never tried this approach of thinking on the page before. A starting point for beginners and a collection of useful prompts.