The History of Literature: "Chekhov on Writing" (with Bob Blaisdell) – Episode #780
Aired: March 2, 2026 | Host: Jacke Wilson | Guest: Bob Blaisdell

Episode Overview

This episode explores the life, craft, and literary philosophy of Anton Chekhov through his personal letters, conversations, and advice to fellow writers. Host Jacke Wilson welcomes Bob Blaisdell—professor, editor, and longtime Chekhov devotee—to discuss his new Dover edition, Chekhov on Writing. The conversation dives into Chekhov’s creative processes, his artistic credo of objectivity, his roles as mentor and literary advisor, and his enduring influence. Listeners are treated to Chekhov’s wisdom on literature, glimpses of his daily life, and stories from the Russian literary world.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Value of Objectivity in Writing

• Chekhov’s Artistic Motto:
  Chekhov insisted on truthfully depicting people "as they are" and resisting the temptation to moralize or sermonize in fiction. (03:03)
  • "Let the jury judge them. It's my job simply to show what sort of people they are." – Anton Chekhov (quoted by Jacke Wilson) [01:03]
• Chekhov believed in presenting life’s complexity, neither judging his characters nor imposing his own values:
  • "Above all else, Chekhov clung to this belief...show the people as they are. Don’t judge, no sermons. Let the people live on the page and let them speak for themselves. And you, the author, get out of the way." – Jacke Wilson [03:58]

Chekhov’s Advice to Writers

• On Describing Nature and Character (08:16–09:18):

  • Avoiding literary clichés and capturing life with precise, vivid details.
    • "One ought to seize upon the little particulars...so that in reading when you shut your eyes you get a picture." – Chekhov (quoted by Jacke Wilson) [08:23]
  • Show, don’t tell:
    • "Best of all is it to avoid depicting the hero’s state of mind; you ought to try to make it clear from the hero's actions." – Chekhov (quoted by Jacke Wilson) [09:18]
    • Focus your narrative:
      • "The center of gravity should be in two persons, him and her." – Chekhov (quoted by Jacke Wilson) [09:13]

• Volume and Practice:

  • Chekhov encouraged aspiring writers to develop skill through relentless output:
    • "You need to write maybe 100 or 200 or 300, then you’ll know something." – Bob Blaisdell [16:33]
  • He mentored strangers, actively helping novice writers find publication and improve their craft, sometimes even advocating to editors for them. [17:55–18:28]

The Writer as Mentor and Literary Citizen

• Chekhov’s mentorship went beyond advice—he provided contacts, feedback, and professional support.
  • "He would pester his own editors and say, how about giving her a shot?...And if they stuck with it, he would stick with it too." – Bob Blaisdell [17:55, 18:48]
• His principle of objectivity and self-effacement was reinforced in advice to friends and relatives, especially his brother Alexander. [20:37, 21:01]
  • "No one's interested in you. They're interested in these people that you’ve put on the page." – Bob Blaisdell [20:37]

Objectivity Versus Subjectivity

• The problem of authorial ego versus authentic creation:
  • "He wants you to restrain yourself...so that the characters and...the plot, you’re not getting in the way." – Bob Blaisdell [19:15]
• Host Jacke Wilson compares Chekhov’s philosophy to the songwriting styles of Paul McCartney (third-person storytelling) and John Lennon (autobiographical), suggesting Chekhov valued stepping back from the self. [22:04]

Chekhov’s Life and Letters: Authenticity and Generosity

• Despite his relentless productivity, medical career, and financial trials, Chekhov remained generous, supportive, and humble in correspondence:
  • "He was funny, he’s kind, he’s extremely generous with his time. He’s humble, he occasionally is proud. He above all is self-aware." – Jacke Wilson [05:14]
• Chekhov supported his family and insisted on continuing his medical work, even when writing earned him financial stability. [24:32–25:38]
  • "When he does succeed financially with his writing, he says, well, now I can do medicine pro bono." – Jacke Wilson [24:33]

Relationship with Tolstoy and Other Writers

• Deep admiration for Tolstoy along with recognition of his flaws:
  • "Chekhov sees Tolstoy’s flaws, but he accepts them as untouchable, as unreachable as Tolstoy’s greatness." – Jacke Wilson [10:11]
  • Tolstoy valued Chekhov for his accuracy and mysterious talents, e.g., during the drafting of Resurrection:
    • "[Tolstoy] couldn’t read The Darling without, you know, laughing and crying. So they had an interesting friendship." – Bob Blaisdell [29:39]
• Chekhov didn’t hold other writers to his own principles rigidly and saw genius as sometimes existing outside the ‘rules.’

Chekhov’s Personality in Letters and in Life

• Chekhov’s correspondence reveals a person as sincere and large-hearted as his fiction suggests.
  • "I think that’s who he was." – Bob Blaisdell [32:28]
  • His tone varied, depending on the recipient—sometimes playful, sometimes brotherly, sometimes formal—but always authentic and considerate. [32:30–33:36]
  • Preservation and censorship of Chekhov's letters reflect family and Soviet concerns about privacy and legacy. [35:05–36:33]

Stage vs. Page: Chekhov as Playwright

• Chekhov showed vulnerability regarding his plays, reacting intensely to failures or perceived failures in the theater.
  • "The description of the opening night of Ivanov and then of the Seagull, especially...the moral of this is, one ought not to write plays." – Jacke Wilson [37:15]
  • The initial flop of The Seagull and Chekhov’s reaction became the stuff of literary legend. [38:38–39:08]

Chekhov’s Use of Writers as Fictional Characters

• Sometimes a writer character allowed Chekhov to explore or parody his own experiences, but he generally maintained objectivity and comic distance:
  • "Most of them are comic versions of him...a kind of distance, that objectivity." – Bob Blaisdell [41:14–42:18]

Self-Effacement and Humility

• Chekhov modeled the balance between offering advice and recognizing its limitations:
  • "When he gets too dogmatic almost, he will often then undermine himself and say, but what do I know?...he takes a playful attitude toward himself..." – Jacke Wilson [42:21]
  • Bob Blaisdell sees this as a model for teaching and interacting with others, emphasizing openness and humility. [43:00–44:08]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Artistic Integrity:
  "To depict horse thieves in 700 lines, I must all the time speak and think in their tone and feel in their spirit. Otherwise if I introduce subjectivity, the image becomes blurred..." – Anton Chekhov (quoted) [01:03]

• On Literary Commonplaces:
  "Commonplaces such as the setting sun bathing in the waves...one ought to abandon." – Chekhov (quoted) [08:21]

• On Growth Through Work:
  "You need to write maybe 100 or 200 or 300, then you’ll know something." – Bob Blaisdell [16:33]

• On Mentorship and Humility:
  "He would be patient. And if they stuck with it, he would stick with it too." – Bob Blaisdell [18:48]

• On Self-Effacement:
  "Just that kind of reminder that Chekhov is...taking that kind of approach to working with people and interacting with people just makes me...I just found it kind of inspiring. Wow." – Jacke Wilson [44:25]

Important Timestamps

• [01:03] – Chekhov’s letter on objectivity and the role of a writer
• [08:16–09:18] – Chekhov’s advice on description and showing character
• [14:41–15:22] – Sourcing and translating Chekhov’s letters
• [16:33] – Chekhov’s recommendation to write hundreds of stories
• [18:48] – Chekhov’s mentorship style
• [19:15–21:01] – The meaning of objectivity for art and the pitfalls of self-insertion
• [22:04–22:40] – Comparison to McCartney/Lennon: write about the self or others?
• [24:32–25:38] – Chekhov’s life as doctor/writer and family supporter
• [29:39–30:53] – Chekhov’s relationship with Tolstoy
• [32:28–33:42] – Chekhov’s personality as shown through different letters
• [37:07–39:33] – Chekhov’s reactions to stage performances of his plays
• [41:14–42:18] – Chekhov writing about writers as fictional characters
• [44:08–45:31] – The impact of Chekhov’s humility and approach on teaching and living

Tone & Style

True to Jacke Wilson’s voice, this episode is warm, reflective, and deeply appreciative of both literary craft and authorial character. Blaisdell’s scholarship is clear but approachable, interwoven with personal anecdotes and practical admiration for Chekhov’s humanity and artistry.

For New Listeners and Writers

This episode stands as an accessible guide not just to Chekhov’s writing but to his ideals as a writer, mentor, and person. It’s both an inviting primer and a heartfelt homage, encouraging listeners to read Chekhov, write with discipline and humility, and to seek objectivity, compassion, and generosity in all creative pursuits.