Tuesday, December 3, 2019

Interview and Giveaway with Erin Unger!

Erin Unger is back in the spotlight on The Diamond Mine! Today, we're offering a free copy of her thriller The Cabin. Just leave her an answer at the end of this interview to be entered in the drawing for a free copy. Let's turn our attention to The Cabin!    
Being trapped in a snowstorm might not be the worst thing…

Leah Kettridge’s writing career is over before the first book lands on the shelf, when a famous author has claimed she’s stolen his work.  
Keenan Brinner has it all. He's a best-selling author who's only headed toward more greatness. And he must be the most gorgeous guy Leah's ever seen. But he's also a liar and a cheat.

When they end up at the same cabin to write, emotions explode. 

But an unexpected snowstorm traps them deep in the mountains. Is 

he bent on destroying her in more ways than one? How will love 

find them amidst all their anger and distrust?


Sounds like a good one!! Now, let's get started on the interview!

Hi Erin! 

What does it mean to you to be a published writer?

I have worked so hard and for years to get to where I am today. It means so much to me to be traditionally published. I thank God for getting me where I am.

Do your characters ever surprise you?

When I write, I love to let the characters surprise me. They do tend to have a mind of their own.

That's so true!
Since you write stories with intricate plots, do you need to work from an outline?

It’s kind of funny how long my outlines are. My friends like to tease me about it. They usually average 50-60 pages. Pantster writers think I’m crazy but it allows me to write faster and cleaner.

Wow, that is a long outline!!
Have you ever started a story with no idea of how it will end?

My first two books didn’t have an outline and I didn’t know the ending, so it was a little hard for me to work without completely developing the story first. But they were a great learning experience.

Which is more fun for you to write, the hero and heroine or the villain or villains?

I completely love writing both sides! The hero/heroine are characters I get to really delve into. I love to develop them and show their weaknesses. But the villains creep me out sometimes, yet I love to get into their heads.

It's so funny how a character you're writing can actually creep you out. I think only a writer would understand that!
How would you describe the way you feel when writing?

Quite often, it takes a long time for me to get into writing a scene—even with an outline—so it can be frustrating. But when I get into the groove, excitement wells up when I see how my characters are going to get out of the messes they get themselves into.

What do you want your readers to feel when reading your stories?

Emotion is a very important part of writing. If readers don’t feel anything as they read, they’ll put the book down and never finish it. I want them to be on a rollercoaster ride with my characters, to feel what they feel in every part of the story.

Yes!! That's the main thing I think most fiction writers strive for.
Is there a common underlying theme in your work?

There does tend to be a common theme in most of my stories. It’s that bad things can happen to good people, yet God is in control of it all.

Do you write in more than one genre?

I do. I have a children’s book I illustrated, and I plan on writing and illustrating a whole series about a kitten who is always getting into trouble. It’s based on my adorable Persian cat who does the funniest things.

That sounds like a lot of fun! What are you working on now?

I’m about to start rewriting a manuscript called Expired Coupons: Buy One Get Dead Free that I wrote years ago. This fun romantic suspense is about a coupon addict and a murder. Throw in an adorable neighbor, and the main character will never be the same again. It’s due to the editor soon, so I better get to work.

To win my giveaway for an eBook of The Cabin, answer this question. Who is your favorite author and why do you love them?

Thanks for the interview, Erin! So there you go, readers! Answer Erin's question in the "leave a comment" section and you'll be entered for the free copy. Now here's a short bio of Erin, followed by her social and purchase links:

Erin Unger was raised in the hills of Virginia, exploring abandoned houses and reading the scariest books she could find. After marrying so young it would make a great romance novel, she has enjoyed an exciting life with her hubby, five grown children, and a couple grandkids.

Amazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/33A6muW




5 comments:

Jackie Layton said...

Erin, your cover is beautiful and it sounds like a great story! Wow! Congratulations.

My favorite author is Robin Jones Gunn because I enjoy her stories, and I think I grow when I read them.
I have so many favorite authors that pull me into their stories, but Robin changes me for the better through her fiction.
I'm so glad I stopped by today and met you. Again, congratulations!

Caryl Kane said...

I don't have just one favorite author. The ones I enjoy fully immerse me into the story. The spiritual truths that are woven throughout their stories challenge and encourage me.

Erin Unger said...

I love it when I grow spiritually when I read a book too! I haven't read anything by Gunn. What genre is she?

Erin Unger said...

I have several favorite authors as well. Ruth Buchanan, Zoe McCarthy,Irene Hannon, Erynn Newman. Have you read any of them?

Jackie Layton said...

Erin, Robin Jones Gunn is Christian fiction. The Sister Chicks series is chick lit.

I love Irene Hannon's books, but I haven't read the others. So many good books, so little time. Thanks for sharing your favorites.