The Creative Penn Podcast For Writers
Title: How Ordinary Drafts Become Extraordinary Books. Revisionaries With Kristopher Jansma
Host/Author: Joanna Penn
Release Date: March 24, 2025
Episode Number: 800

Introduction

In the 800th episode of The Creative Penn Podcast For Writers, Joanna Penn celebrates a significant milestone by delving deep into the transformative journey from ordinary drafts to extraordinary books. The episode features a comprehensive interview with Christopher Jansma, author of Revisionaries, where they explore common writing pitfalls, the elusive concept of genius, and strategies to enhance manuscript quality.

Podcast Highlights

1. Unveiling the Main Themes

Joanna sets the stage by outlining the episode's focus areas:

• Comparing First Drafts to Finished Books: Highlighting the common mistake writers make in measuring their initial attempts against polished, published works.
• The Myth of Genius: Debunking the notion that successful authors are born with innate genius.
• Persistence in Writing: Emphasizing the importance of perseverance in the creative process.
• Balancing Writing and Business: Navigating the dual roles of crafting stories and managing the business aspects of authorship.
• Protecting Personal Boundaries: Maintaining a healthy separation between personal life and writing endeavors.

"If you love it and it nourishes you, it's worthwhile."
— Tiffany Yates Martin ([Transcript Timestamp: 13:35])

2. Insights from Other Segments

Joanna briefly touches upon various other segments, including:

• AI in Publishing: Discussing the implications of AI advancements on the writing industry, referencing controversies like Meta's use of pirated databases for training Llama models.
• Personal Updates: Sharing her ongoing projects, such as editing the Death Valley film script and launching a Kickstarter campaign.
• Listener Engagement: Highlighting positive feedback from listeners and encouraging the audience to share their experiences and thoughts.

3. Listener Comments and Community Love

Joanna shares heartfelt messages from listeners, showcasing the podcast's impact. Notable comments include:

• John S.: Praising the episode with Luke Richardson on travel and action adventure for inspiring him to overcome anxiety and explore new horizons.
• Lisa M.: Sharing an adorable story about her parakeet, who has become a fan of Joanna's voice from the podcast.

Main Interview: Christopher Jansma on Revisionaries

4. Christopher Jansma's Journey in Writing

At [17:38], Joanna introduces Christopher Jansma, an award-winning author and associate professor of creative writing at SUNY New Paltz College. Christopher shares his lifelong passion for writing, detailing his extensive experience with literary fiction, novels, short stories, and essays.

"I've been a writer pretty much my whole life. As a child, you couldn't put a book out of my hand."
— Christopher Jansma ([18:03])

5. The Common Mistake: Comparing Drafts to Masterpieces

Christopher delves into why writers often fall into the trap of comparing their first drafts to renowned finished books.

"We fall in love with books and reading, and naturally, we wonder if we could do it too. But there's a huge gap between our efforts and our heroes' masterpieces."
— Christopher Jansma ([19:22])

He emphasizes that legendary authors like F. Scott Fitzgerald and J.D. Salinger underwent numerous failures and revisions before achieving their success, challenging the misconception that their success was purely due to inherent genius.

6. Dismantling the Myth of Genius

Each chapter of Christopher's book uses the concept of "genius" to deconstruct the flawed belief that successful writers are naturally gifted. He argues that persistence, practice, and constructive feedback play pivotal roles in a writer's success.

"What does it take? A lot of persistence, a lot of practice, a lot of stubbornness, and an ability to learn from your mistakes."
— Christopher Jansma ([23:33])

7. Strategies to Transform Manuscripts

Christopher shares actionable strategies to elevate a manuscript from ordinary to extraordinary:

• Persistence and Patience: Continuing to work on a manuscript even when it feels disorganized, trusting the process.
• Seeking Feedback: Engaging trusted readers or editors who can provide constructive criticism.
• Knowing When to Walk Away: Recognizing when a project isn't working and taking a step back to avoid burnout.

"Sometimes you need to know how to walk away from a project that just isn't working."
— Christopher Jansma ([35:41])

He recounts historical examples, such as Harper Lee’s journey with To Kill a Mockingbird and its initially rejected drafts, illustrating how perseverance led to literary greatness.

8. Balancing the Creative and Business Sides of Writing

The discussion shifts to managing the dual aspects of writing: the creative process and the business obligations of being an author. Christopher advises setting clear boundaries and establishing dedicated time for writing separate from promotional activities.

"Eventually, you have to be able to log off and actually sit down and write without distractions."
— Christopher Jansma ([40:09])

He suggests practical tips like setting modest writing goals and creating a structured schedule to maintain productivity while handling the business facets of authorship.

9. Protecting Personal Boundaries in Writing

Christopher addresses the challenge of maintaining personal privacy while engaging with the public as an author. He advocates for clear boundaries regarding what personal experiences are shared through writing and public interactions.

"We should be able to appreciate the beauty of a piece of fiction without having to be reassured that it came from a true story first."
— Christopher Jansma ([50:22])

He emphasizes the importance of separating the writer's personal life from their creative work to preserve authenticity and personal well-being.

Conclusion and Future Episodes

Joanna wraps up the episode by reflecting on the invaluable insights shared by Christopher Jansma. She reiterates the importance of persistence, embracing the revision process, and maintaining a healthy balance between the creative and business aspects of writing.

She also previews the next episode featuring Hollywood screenwriter and first-time novelist TD Donnelly, promising discussions on the nuances between book and screenplay writing, character development, and industry trends.

"Remember, if you get depressed that your first drafts aren't as good as the books you read, don't worry. Keep writing, keep editing, and you will make it."
— Joanna Penn ([55:34])

Key Takeaways

• Embrace the Revision Process: Understand that initial drafts are starting points, and substantial improvement comes through persistent editing and feedback.
• Debunk the Genius Myth: Recognize that success in writing stems from hard work, resilience, and continuous learning rather than innate talent alone.
• Seek Constructive Feedback: Engage with trusted readers or editors to gain objective perspectives that can enhance your manuscript.
• Balance Creativity with Business: Establish a structured routine that allocates time for both writing and managing the business aspects of being an author.
• Maintain Personal Boundaries: Protect your personal experiences and privacy, ensuring that sharing does not compromise your well-being or creative integrity.

For more insights and resources, visit thecreativepenn.com and explore the vast array of episodes, articles, and the free Author Blueprint to support your writing journey.