42 Days of 666 - Day 39 with Gini Koch

For the next 42 days we're going to be counting down to the release of SEAL Team 666. why 42? Because it's the answer to the universal question.

Today we have Gini Koch. I've known Gini for several years, ever since she screamed my name across a crowded room - WINSTON!! Well, okay, she almost screamed my name. Since then we hang out whenever we can. Most recently, I saved her from a haunted room at the Gadsden Hotel in Douglas, Arizona, but that's a different story.

Gini Koch lives in Hell’s Orientation Area (aka Phoenix, AZ), works her butt off (sadly, not literally) by day, and writes by night with the rest of the beautiful people. She writes the fast, fresh and funny Alien/Katherine “Kitty” Katt series for DAW Books, the Necropolis Enforcement Files series, and the Martian Alliance Chronicles series for Musa Publishing. As G.J. Koch she writes the Alexander Outland series for Night Shade Books. She also writes under a variety of other pen names (including Anita Ensal, Jemma Chase, A.E. Stanton, and J.C. Koch), listens to all kinds of music 24/7, and is a proud comics geek-girl willing to discuss at any time why Wolverine is the best superhero ever (even if Deadpool does get all the best lines). She speaks frequently on what it takes to become a successful author and other aspects of writing and the publishing business.

1. What’s your favorite military movie, book or television show?

It’s a tough choice, because I truly love a lot of military movies, but when forced, like now, to choose only one, mine’s got to be “The Great Escape”. (This is, btw, ONLY because I think of “Captain America” as a superhero movie first and a military movie second.) For books, it’s probably Terry Pratchett’s “Jingo” (but only because I haven’t read “SEAL Team 666” yet). TV show would be “Hogan’s Heroes”. Yes, yes, what can I say? I tend to like the funny stuff. (See? I have so many faves I had to choose one in each category.)

2. Why is it your favorite?

“The Great Escape” is my fave because it tosses in everything that makes these kinds of movies so interesting and entertaining. You have a diverse team of misfits and unwilling specialists working against terrible odds. There’s danger, real life and death danger, there’s laughs, there’s intrigue…I could go on. And, it had James Garner as The Scrounger (the conmen are always my fave characters, regardless of genre). Sure, Steve McQueen as The Cooler King was indeed the King of Cool, but nothing looked better than James Garner in a turtleneck flashing that cocky smile. (I’m a simple creature, me.)

As for why “Jingo” as favorite book, it’s because Pratchett took different genre tropes and turned them on their sides. And I love his writing because he gets so many deep ideas and ideals across with humor.

I wouldn’t classify myself as a “classic” military reader -- I like them just like other books in other genres, but I tend to lean towards nonfiction for most of my military reading. No idea why, other than my lifelong crush on Winston Churchill. (I read his autobiography far too early in life, I suppose.)

“Hogan’s Heroes” is easy -- it was consistently funny. It’s the “funny” side of “The Great Escape”, where the good guys never die, never get recaptured (unless they want to be), and good always triumphs over evil.

3. What themes are overused? And is it overused, or just truthful observation?

You know, I’m Tropes Girl. I think things get “overused” because people enjoy them, relate to them, or want to see them. I WANT to see the good guys win. I WANT to see them fight against horrific odds and still manage to come out on top. I WANT to see the ragtag team of losers beat the superior forces. I WANT to see the elite team do what they do best for Mom, apple pie, and America and her Allies and all the good and innocent people the world over. Sure, if it’s horror, I expect bad things to happen. But I still WANT good to triumph over evil. If it doesn’t, then I demand a sequel where it does, or at least makes more headway. (Hint, hint, Wes.)

I want to see all those things as filtered by the authors, directors, and actors creating them, which will make them different, yet still the same. But each time someone writes a story with a military setting it’s a little different. Each actor brings a different nuance to a role. Each director puts his or her own mark on their film or TV show. And I want to read and see all of them.

Bottom line for me: If action, adventure, and heroism are “overused”, then call me a girl who likes repetition.

+   +   +

Thanks Gini!

Don't forget to Pre-order SEAL Team 666 from your favorite store:

Powell's  ~ Amazon ~ B&N ~ Indiebound ~ Overstock ~ WalMart ~ Books-a-Million ~ Mysterious Galaxy ~ Poisoned Pen ~ Dark Delicacies ~ Hastings Books and Music               

Also Buy Gini Koch's Alien Diplomacy, Alien Proliferation, Alien in the Family, Alien Tango and
Touched by an Alien right NOW online or at a bookstore near you!

Alien vs. Alien releases December 4, 2012. 

Pre-order your copy from your local
bookstore or online TODAY!