We were delighted to have Kat Heckenbach on the podcast this week! Kat is the author of 
Finding Angel & Seeking Unseen, both entries in the Toch Island Chronicles. With origins in biology, math, and art, her journey to become an author took a bit of circuitous route.
We had a bit of technical difficulties with this podcast, so we apologize for a few blips here and there. I think Aaron suggests juggling a couple rabbits and/or tin foil for the next time. š
Happenings In Part 1:
With Katās background in biology, she shares how that informs the Toch Island Chronicles. The flora and fauna are very important details in her books! The Lord of the Rings is also discussed and how it figures into Katās favorite character in her books. Thereās magically-powered electric guitars involved! (This, I gotta see!) With the biology background, it really feeds into how adamant Kat is about the setting of her books. I canāt recall if weāve seen any of our guests so far be so firm about a story location! Reasons for writing fantasy abound, and there be sheep involved! And as we get into Katās answer to our superhero question, Aaron brings up some trivia about the making of The Avengers.
Goings On In Part 2:
As we shift into writing mode, we of course ask our plotting versus pantsing question. Katās answer involves a lot of notecards. Can you guess her answer? Because Aaron has an irreverent solution to her notecard āproblem.ā About that point in the show, we start plotting against Aaronās neighborās treeā¦.which continues to cause connectivity issues for the podcast. Getting back on track (is this a possibility with this bunch?), we talk about a lack of snacks and drinks with Kat and why that is.
We hates research, Precious! That is why we writes fantasy!
Every writerās favorite part of the episode: Kat offers some of her favorite tips for marketing, and some are pretty off beat options, but definitely viable for most every author.
Even though Katās is a well-known Harry Potter fan, her answer to our new fandom question may surprise you. But her favorite book is the Harry Potter series. Can you guess which one? And as we wrap things up with Kat for this time, her most surprising thing about being a writer may just surprise you as well.
This and a whole lot moreāwith lots of laughing!āin this weekās episode.
Links to topics we discussed:
Kat Heckenbach
Finding Angel
Seeking Unseen
J.K. Rowling
Brandon Sanderson (Y.A. stuff)
Brandon Mull (Fable Haven series)
Cornelia Funke
Sage Blackwood
1 Pingback