Joanna Penn: Creativity, Travel and the Writing Process
Unlock the secrets to Joanna Penn’s success as an indie author and podcaster—get inspired and elevate your creative game today! 📚🎙️✨
✅ Listen to Joanna Penn: Creativity, Travel and the Writing Process on Jack and Kitty’s Don’t Cha Know Podcast. We release new episodes the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month. Subscribe and listen on your favorite podcast app. 🎙️❤️
Quick Summary: Joanna Penn
Get the lowdown on today’s special guest Joanna Penn, a powerhouse in indie publishing and podcasting.
- Learn about her career spanning multiple genres and platforms.
- Dive into her unique writing process that blends creativity and business.
- Pick up practical tips on podcasting, branding, and more.
Joanna Penn: Author, Podcaster, Creative Force
Joanna Penn is a British author, entrepreneur, and host of the popular podcast, The Creative Penn. She’s a big name in the indie author scene, having written more than 40 books that span genres like thrillers, non-fiction, and travel memoir. 📚
Joanna is also a go-to expert on self-publishing, digital marketing, and making a living with your writing. What sets her apart is her innovative approach to blending creativity with business savvy. Whether it’s her best-selling novels or her highly informative blog posts, Joanna is all about empowering creatives to take control of their own destiny. ✨
Ready to Get inspired? Let’s Go!
Hey, it’s Kitty! 😸👋 I’m so excited for you to listen to today’s podcast episode. My hubby Jack interviewed the fabulous Joanna Penn. She’s one of our fave podcasters and authors. Much like Joanna, Jack and I have been juggling multiple creative hats for over two decades. From Amazon best-selling travel guidebooks to our daily podcast and Midwest travel blog, we’ve been exploring every nook and cranny of the Midwest, one quirky adventure at a time. 🌟 But we still have soooo much to learn! Joanna is such an inspiration… I know you’ll find her inspiring, too. 😍📚🎙️
Joanna Penn’s Writing Process
Joanna Penn approaches her writing as a blend of art and business. She’s a big advocate for structure, often starting her projects with a well-outlined plan. However, she doesn’t let this limit her creativity; she allows room for her ideas to breathe and grow.
Initial Research: Joanna kicks off her writing process by immersing herself in research. This provides her with the necessary background and adds layers to her writing.
Plotting and Planning: She is a plotter, not a pantser. She believes in having a roadmap but is also flexible to take detours along the way.
Writing Time: Consistency is key for her. She sets aside dedicated writing blocks, treating it as a non-negotiable appointment.
Drafts: She goes through multiple drafts, refining and reworking her content. She puts a lot of emphasis on revision to make sure the final product is polished.
Tools: Joanna uses tech to her advantage… and I love that about her! She’s a fan of writing software like Scrivener, and she even dabbles in AI tools for certain tasks.
Feedback and Iteration: Joanna believes in the value of community and often seeks feedback from trusted peers and experts in her field. She sees each book or project as a learning experience, an opportunity to get better.
Publishing: Once the writing is polished to her satisfaction, she thinks strategically about publishing. Being a proponent of indie publishing, she takes charge of the whole process from editing to marketing.
And there you have it. What I find cool about Joanna’s approach is how it’s a blend of the systematic and the organic. It’s a roadmap any creative could learn from!
What do you think? Ready to adapt some of these into your own process? 😎
Joanna Penn’s Secrets of Podcasting
Joanna’s show The Creative Penn Podcast is one of our favorites. Jack and I usually go for a long walk around Lake Winona and listen to her. It’s kind of our Monday afternoon ritual. Hehe. Here’s some takeaways Jo mentioned in her interview with Jack…
- Longevity is key: The podcasting world is crowded. For real staying power, pick a topic that has longevity for you. Personally, I think this advice aligns well with what Jack and I are doing. Our broad theme of travel and quirky adventures in the Midwest can go a long way.
- Monetization: Have a monetization plan but don’t make it the sole focus. Keep that in mind for your podcast game.
- Pivot & Adapt: Your brand should allow space for future growth. You might start with a very niche focus but leave room to expand or pivot. I was relieved to hear that Joanna thinks my brand – Jack and Kitty – is versatile and timeless. I guess the point is, don’t pigeonhole yourself! Hehe.
Joanna’s Thoughts on Branding
Once you fall into Joanna Penn’s world you’ll soon discover she is a marketing genius. Be sure to follow the links below. In the meantime, here’s a few quick takeaways from her interview on our show…
- Broad but Targeted: A brand should be broad enough to allow for growth but specific enough to target a niche audience.
- Transparency: Let people in, but not all the way. Give them enough to feel close but keep some stuff private. That’s a real balance in the days of social media! Hehe.
- Consistency: Stick to your medium. In my case, Jack and I like to focus on travel related blogs, podcasts, videos, and guidebooks. I think these mediums will help contribute to our brand’s value. What could you do to build multiple platforms for your personal brand?
Joanna Penn: Always Learning, Always Creating
I love following Joanna on social media (links below). She’s always going on a fun and quirky adventure. I think it’s neat that Jo uses travel as a source for creative inspiration! Here’s a few more thoughts I had from her chat with Jack…
- Be Yourself: Whether it’s the tone you use in your blogs or the way you interact on your podcast, authenticity attracts people. Joanna is great at this!
- Always Be Learning: Joanna’s initial podcasting goal was to learn from others. As travel bloggers, Jack and I can relate. Each special guest we have on our show is a learning experience for us which we love to share with our audience. This is the same for Joanna and her awesome show The Creative Penn.
- Tell a Story: People love following along on a journey. Joanna is truly the central character of her ongoing creative adventure. Keep that narrative strong!
Final Thoughts
Guys, Joanna gave this Kitty lots to chew on! Hehe.
Take a listen to Jack’s interview and follow some of the links in the show notes below. I know you’ll find Joanna just as inspiring as we do! In the meantime, happy travels! 🚗✈️🎙️
✅ Don’t miss out! Listen to today’s podcast episode, Joanna Penn: Creativity, Travel and the Writing Process – where we go even deeper into this story. Remember, we release new episodes of Jack and Kitty’s Don’t Cha Know Podcast the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month! Subscribe on your favorite podcast app. 🎙️❤️
Spooky Tours in Edinburgh
Oddly enough, Jack and Joanna talked about spooky tours in Edinburgh, Scotland. Joanna actually was so inspired by these haunted locations, she worked them in to her latest J.F. Penn book, Catacomb. If you’d like to go on a historic tour in Edinburgh, here’s a few good ones to consider…
Underground Walking Tour in Edinburgh
Step off the tourist trail and explore the Scottish capital’s hidden secrets on this underground walking tour in Edinburgh. Follow a guide from the South Bridge in Edinburgh Old Town down below street level, where a series of ancient vaults lie. As you explore the dark passageways, learn why the vaults were built, hear of the poor souls who sought refuge in the depths and discover a hidden witchcraft temple. Gain insight into city life during the 18th century, and learn of the deadly diseases which threatened Edinburgh’s inhabitants.
The World Famous Underground Ghost Tour
Edinburgh is known for its dark past, and this evening walking tour is the original one to showcase the city’s historically sinister and spooky side. Discover the hidden ‘wynds’ (alleys) and closes of the Old Town as you learn their mysteries and horrors; visit the ghost-ridden Greyfriars Kirkyard; and explore the city’s underground vaults to uncover their spirits and secrets. Your tour is led by a creepily costumed guide.
Edinburgh Darkside Walking Tour: Mysteries, Murder and Legends
Journey through Edinburgh’s grisliest tales on a haunted walking tour. Experience the ghastly histories of monsters, madness, and murder that cast a dark shadow on the capital city. Discover the stories and sites of witch trials, pagan rituals, and executions, and hear about local monsters that live in urban myth. Then visit the chilling Old Calton Burial Ground or Canongate Kirkyard cemetery to learn about body-snatching and some of the infamous interred.
Show Notes: Links to Stuff We Talk About
Joanna Penn
Start by visiting Joanna’s incredible site TheCreativePenn.com. She also has an author page at JFPennBooks.com. Be sure to give a listen to The Creative Penn Podcast. Every Monday Joanna discusses writing, publishing, book marketing, and making a living with your writing.
Books by Joanna Penn and J.F. Penn
Jack and Jo mentioned several of her book titles throughout today’s episode: Catacomb, Pilgrimage: Lessons Learned from Solo Walking Three Ancient Ways, and How to Make a Living with Your Writing: Turn Your Words into Multiple Streams Of Income (hey, we’re even quoted in this one so you know it’s good. Hehe!)
Facebook Group: Midwest Travel with Jack and Kitty
We finally have a Facebook Group! This is a safe and friendly spot to connect with fellow travelers. Ask questions, chat about our podcast or get help planning your next trip to the Heartland of America! ❤️
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