In episode 23 of Working Title podcast I speak with G. J. Koch, J. C. Koch, Jemma Chase, Anita Ensal and A. E. Stanton. They’re all the same talented and prolific Gini Koch, author of the Alien/Katherine “Kitty” Katt series,
Necropolis Enforcement series,
Martian Alliance Chronicles series, and
the Alexander Outland series.
We dive into how to write a series (or several), those pen names of hers and what a writer should consider when creating them, and preparing your book for submission. Plus she shares her secret for being a productive writer.
Thank you to readers who submitted questions–Gini answered every one.
So hold onto your hats and enjoy!
Length: 108 minutes
Recorded on July 11, 2018
Intro and outro music in the podcast is called, “The Strategy.”
Gini Koch’s website: ginikoch.com
How are the Penguins doing?
Your references to Pop culture make you like the Dennis Miller of writing. What role does your knowledge of Pop culture pay in developing your story line?
Hey Josh: Forgot to mention that Gini was recently involved with a Kickstarter campaign titled Guilds & Glaives, which was managed by http://www.zombiesneedbrains.com/. It may be a good question to ask about her experience with a crowdfunding project.
When you are doing your first pass, do you put in chapter headings as you go, or do you just make a notation in the document where a chapter break will go.
Assuming a 40-hour-work week, spouse, kids, dog, etc, how many good hours of writing and/or revision per week do you recommend for unpublished authors? Is it different once you have published (whether traditional or indie)?
When can we expect a next visit to happy Acres?
@hamishdownie
Which of your Alien men is the sexiest?
You are one of the most prolific writers out there, writing in multiple styles and genres. What do you do and how much time do you take when switching from working on one book to another? Are you totally linear in your writing that you only work on one book at a time, or have you switched it up and jumped from one book to another, and if so, how do you keep the writing style so distinctly different?
What is your writing process like? Do you outline, write scene and put them together or just write until you are done? – Joseph, Uncle Dragon
from a more feminist standpoint – what would you say is the difference between writing a female character and writing a character who happens to be female? Can you think of examples for each?
Is there any news to share on the Alexander Outland or Necropolis Enforcement Files series?
Where do you get your inspiration from?
Who or what is your Muse?
If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have?
What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?
How do you select the names of your characters?
Do you hide any secrets in your books that only a few people will find?