The Jottery: Thought Experiments for Everyday Philosophers and Part-Time Geniuses

The Jottery: Thought Experiments for Everyday Philosophers and Part-Time Geniuses is a clever book for creative or would-be creative people. The author of this ingenious title is Andy Selsberg, a former staff writer for the irony-filled and comedy-laden Onion. Selsberg is also a writing instructor. Folks who have wanted to journal or free write, but who have felt stymied with a blank page will find plenty to unlock their creative potential and unleash the unique in this journal.

With prompts such as “Your goal is to attain the nickname ‘Hometown Fun Machine.’ What are six things you do, or avoid doing, to accomplish this?” and “You open a café for all the wrong reasons. What are seven of these wrong reasons?” Anyone will begin to feel their imagination brighten and a smile lift the corners of their mouths. This book is fantastic for aspiring writers or published authors, not just for the help getting their minds out of writer’s block, but to spur new ideas and characters, as well as fanciful situations.

There isn’t much space to write in The Jottery itself, but there is enough to make quick lists. This book is perfect pocket- or purse-size to take with for boring trips or long waits in the DMV. A party game could be made out of the various questions listed here. This book could even be used to enforce team building exercises on retreats or in-service days.

The Jottery would make a great gift for adults. While there is no real “adult-themed” content that would preclude purchasing this item for young writers, the questions and prompts are geared more toward the late 20s–30s crowd and upward, for those who have had their dreams and aspirations already stymied, and for the would-be writers who have not quite yet blossomed.