Author interview
with
CM STUNICH
Please welcome The brilliant Author behind the series, THE HARD ROCK ROOTS thats taking amazon by storm, CM STUNICH .
My
name is C.M. Stunich and I'm an author who likes to write
fiction, no matter the genre - new adult, romance, erotica,
fantasy, young adult, steampunk, paranormal, etc. I have way
too many cats, dogs that are named after the characters in my
books, and a green house that I wish was painted purple.
Halloween is my favorite holiday, and I'm grateful for everyday
that somebody picks up one of my books
and reads it.
How would you describe your books?
Crazy!
LOL I like to write character driven stories with intense
plots and strong female characters, sexy men, and ...
cliff-hangers. Yeah, I really, really like cliff-hangers. ;)
What genre is your work mainly, do you stay in the same vein or are you hoping to(if not already) to explore new ventures?
I
work mostly in romance and erotica, but my favorite genre in
the whole world to both read and write is urban fantasy. As
long as my fingers get to hit the keyboard though, I'm happy
with writing pretty much anything. Except literary fiction
about women who open yarn stores and learn to love through the
art of knitting and pearling. Anything except for that.
Can you share with us a quote from one of your favourite characters?
"Sometimes,
the only way to go forward is to take a few, careful steps
back." - Never Ross from "Tasting, Finding, Keeping: The Story
of Never"
Ty McCabe from "Tasting Never" or Turner Campbell from "Get Bent" and why?
Um,
this is a hard one! LOL If I had to pick a guy to marry, it
would have to be Ty McCabe. While I love writing Turner and
often laugh out loud at his craziness, I just think Ty is the
sweetest "bad boy" ever. Plus, those butterfly tattoos on his
arms? Priceless.
Naomi Knox from "Real Ugly" or Never Ross from "Tasting Never" and why?
Naomi
Knox. Even though this question is just as hard for me as the
one about the boys. Both girls are strong and bada**, but
since Naomi is a Rock Goddess, she's got to be my favorite of
the two.
What inspired you to write and how long have you been
writing for?
I've
been writing since before I can remember. I have boxes in my
garage stuffed full of scribbles I jotted down as a child,
stories so bad they'd make your teeth hurt. ;) I didn't ever
really decide to write, just always have. It wasn't until I
lost my job in 2012 though that I found myself actually
deciding to turn my passion into a career.
Who was the easiest character to write and the hardest to write?
Easiest
character to write has to be Turner Campbell from "Real Ugly",
just because he's so much and I can feel the story wheeling
along with him at the helm to guide me. The hardest to write
would have to be Never Ross from "Never Can Tell" because her
life is so hard and her emotions so deep that I find myself
getting drawn into them and feeling what she's feeling.
Without giving anything away, what is your favourite scene in your book(s)?
"In
the midst of the gathering crowd around me, somebody
smiles." This is the last line of "Real Ugly", and I
love it because it really sets up the first clue for the
series turning into something much, much crazier than
just a "rock star" novel. I always grin when I reread
it and find this line waiting for me.
How much of the book is realistic and are any based on someone you know or events in your own life?
Well, I do a lot of research to make sure that everything that happens in the books is at least somewhat plausible. That way, when crazy events do occur, there's a solid foundation for them to stand on. I take inspiration from everything and everyone around me, so yes, definitely some of the characters and events are based on people in my own life. I don't think I could stop myself from doing that if I tried! =)
Which actor/actress would you like to see playing your lead characters from any off your books in a movie?
These
questions are always the hardest for me since I don't keep up
with the world of Hollywood much. I really love Evan Peters
from "American Horror Story" and would not mind seeing him as
Caleb, the main character from my young adult fantasy novel,
"The Seven Wicked: First". As far as my Hard Rock Roots series
goes, the only actress I have picked out is for the character
of Hayden. I'd love to see Kata Mara take on that role.
When did you decide to become a writer?
I
first decided to take my writing from passion/hobby to career
in 2012. I lost my job and was having trouble finding another
one. I took a few months there to focus on getting my books
ready to publish instead and luckily it ended up working out
for me! =)
When you're not writing, how do you relax?
Relax?
What is this foreign concept? LOL Reading, of course, is
one of my all time favorite ways to pass the time. I'm also
addicted to TV series like "Revenge" or "Orphan Black". Once I
get started watching something like that, I can't stop!
What is your favourite movie?
This
changes for me all the time, so it's hard to say. I think
right now, because of Halloween, it's got to be "Hocus Pocus".
It's just so cheesy and ridiculous, how could you not love it?
Is there one subject you would never write about as a author and what is it?
Women that own yarn stores. No, seriously. I just will flat-out refuse to write about yarn.
Do you work out an outline or plot or do you prefer to see where an idea takes you?
I let the story take the wheel! ;) I don't ever outline or plot in advance. I feel like some stories are just floating out there in the universe, waiting to be told. If you relax your mind and let them come to you, they will.
Any tips on what to do and what not to do when it comes to writing and do you have any advice for aspiring authors?
Finish
your book! This is the absolute most important part of
writing and admittedly, the most difficult. Some people get so
wrapped up in finding a publisher or hiring a cover designer
or what not, that they forget what this is all really about.
Write, write, write, and read. That's it. Hone your craft and
the rest will follow.
What is your favourite genre to read and write??
Favorite genre to both read and write is urban fantasy. Strong female leads, sexy alpha males, vampires, werewolves, action, action, action. What more could you ask for?
Is there anything you would like to say to your readers?
Yes!
First off, that I heart their faces. Second, that readers
give books their magic - without them, it's just words on a
page. Thank you for that.
How
long does it take you to complete a book from start to publish
and what was your first ever book and how did it feel to get it
published?
The first book I ever published was "Hell Inc." and I was really excited about it because I'd started it when I was fifteen years old and while the new version had absolutely zero in common with the original, it was an idea I'd carried for almost a decade. To see it hit its finale was priceless. As far as how long it takes me to write a book, it varies depending on the length of the book, the research involved, intensity of emotions, etc. I've been known to take a few years to a week depending on the story.
Have you ever trashed a novel or story before finishing it feeling it wasn't going how you planned out?
Since
I started publishing, no! I'm too stubborn. Once I've got an
idea or concept in my head, I will do anything in my power to
find the right avenue to get it to come out right. If it means
I have to start over and rewrite the same scenes, but in a
different way, I'll do it. Guess I'm just ornery like that.
;)
Do you have a special time or place that you write?
I
write anytime, anywhere. I used to be very picky about it,
but I've learned to adapt, to let family and noise and
excitement happen around me as I pound the keys. I've even
written at dinner in an Olive Garden once. LOL
Do you have any funny quirks or experiences you like to share with your readers?
I'm
addicted to Thai iced tea, I write in my underwear and bra
more often that not, and I'm deathly afraid of hot lava. ;)
Do you ever get ideas at random moments and how do you hang on to them?
I
get random ideas galore! Too many to count. ;) I have a
longer to-write list than a to-read one. That's why I always
keep a notebook around to scribble down the thoughts as they
come. You never know when one of those babies might come in
handy.
Can you write on demand and under pressure or do you need time and space before the creativity starts to flow?
I
write on demand and under pressure because I'm a
procrastinator and that's the only thing that works for me.
LOL If I know I have time to kill, I'll find myself with a
wandering mind, scouring the Internet for news articles and
checking Facebook every ten minutes like a crazy person.
What's the the worst job you have
done and why?
Working
at a call center for Enterprise-Rent-a-Car because the
customers were rude, the hours were horrible, and my bosses
were the devil. LOL It was a mind numbing, soul crushing job
that really made me question what I was doing in my life.
How do you over come writers block?
The
only way to overcome writers' block is to write. If you can't
get through the piece you're working on, start something new.
Write something you feel intensely passionate about. Either
that, or read something. Those are the only two things I've
ever found that work out for me.
What is next for you and can you share a little of it?
Up
next is my stand-alone romantic comedy novel, "Taming Her
Boss", which is available on a pre-order special for 99 cents
until release day (http://www.amazon.com/dp/
Alpha
Male + Alpha Female = Hot Love/Hate Sex. What happens when
the boss in the corner office is a domineering d*ck who really
wants to submit to the right woman?
Who is your favourite band or artist?
Hands
down, I have to give this to "Avenged Sevenfold" and
"Alesana". These are the two greatest bands EVER, and I don't
think I could love their music anymore if I tried.
Which one of your books would you love to see up on the big screen as a movie?
If
I had to pick one, I would choose "Real Ugly". I think it
would be killer to see Naomi Knox and Turner Campbell wild and
in your face, real music blasting from the speaker when they
pound the stage and slay the crowd. I would kill to see that.
=)
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