Rami Ungar The Writer

Recently, on the blog Broadside run by journalist Caitlin Kelly (check her out, she’s a great journalist who has interviewed Queen Elizabeth II, done pieces for the New York Times and other publishers, has two books out, and does writing/journalism coaching), she did a post where she answered 25 questions about herself.

I enjoyed the post, asked if I could do it myself while changing some questions (I don’t wear scents, for one thing), and where she got it. Caitlin told me it came from the Financial Times’ HTSI (apparently it’s a weekend supplement standing for “How to _______ It,” with “S” standing for a variety of things) and she gave me permission. And, with apparently a lot of new followers on this blog (or so WordPress tells me), I decided to try this and let you get to know me better.

So, thanks to Caitlin for giving me the inspiration for this post, and thank you for reading it. Without further ado, 25 Facts About Me, inspired by the Financial Times’ HTSI Questionnaire.

Something you never find me without.

My glasses. Unless I’m sleeping or in the shower/bath, they’re on my face and helping me see. I also have prescription sunglasses for those days where that nasty sun is making its presence known. I also wear some rings and a necklace with personal meaning to me, and I often wear a watch (though typing with it hurts my wrist, so I take it off when I’m using a keyboard).

The last thing I bought and loved.

A poster from one of my favorite YouTube channels depicting the King in Yellow. I got it specially framed and the poster now hangs over my bed. It’s such a cool piece of art, and I hope it gives me great ideas while I sleep.

Places that mean a lot to me.

Marietta, Ohio is lovely. I love going down there to explore the paranormal hot spots or enjoy the beautiful scenery. Just going down this past November helped me de-stress significantly. I also love New Orleans. It’s such a beautiful city and I want to go back again someday.

The best book I’ve read this year.

God, hard to choose. I go through so many. I really enjoyed Paperbacks from Hell by Grady Hendrix, and The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle was amazing. There was also The Store by Bentley Little, All Hallows by Christopher Golden, and Sister Maiden Monster by Lucy Snyder. All were excellent books.

The podcast or audio book I’m listening to.

I’ve about 19 hours left of IT, which I haven’t read since college. Afterwards, I plan to listen to The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones.

What I need to write.

I sit in front of my computer in my office with something to drink (tea or non-caffeinated diet soda, though I’ll have alcohol on the weekends or water if it’s super hot). I often have some sort of music playing, with what depending on the story. And I like burning incense in the background, as it fills the air with a sweet scent.

The item of clothing I’d save from a fire.

Probably my Jason Voorhees hockey jersey. I love wearing that thing on Fridays, whether it’s a Friday the 13th or not. Though if it’s too warm, I’ll wear something else on a Friday.

I’ve wanted to be a writer since…

Since I was ten or so. I’ve always enjoyed writing, but I never thought of it as a career until that point. After all, kids want to be everything: scientists, rock stars, police officers, superheroes, etc. But I’d always go back to writing, and eventually I was like, “I think I’ll do this as a career.” Two years later, I discovered Stephen King, and that showed me what stories I was going to write for the rest of my life.

The writing moment that changed everything for me.

I think it was when a friend introduced me to my first publisher, Castrum Press. That would eventually lead to Rose being published, and has changed lots of things for me since then.

Talents I don’t normally talk about.

Well, I can cook decently. Not many things, but enough that I eat well and on the rare occasion I have guests, I can whip up something awesome. I’m also good at making people feel old. I’ve made my coworkers cringe in horror by reminding them how much younger I am than them. This will probably come back to haunt me someday, but for now, I wield it with sadism pride.

The best gift I’ve given recently.

Impossible to say without getting too personal. Though I did give my dad and stepmom some delicious banana bread when I stayed with them recently, so can I say that?

And the best gift I’ve received recently?

I’ve gotten wonderful gifts from lots of people, both material and immaterial. But for the purpose of this post, I’ll say it’s my Cthulhu onesie. It’s awesome!

The last music I downloaded.

Some of the greatest hits from the Backstreet Boys. Don’t judge me, sometimes I’m just in the mood for them while at work!

In my fridge you’ll always find…

Yogurt, bread, soda, and maybe something of an alcoholic nature.

Something I want to do the next time I have a few days off.

I think I’d like to binge-watch some of my anime. I’ve a few seasons of different shows on DVD and Blu-Ray I haven’t watched in a while, so I’d like to take the time to just chillax and watch those shows. Maybe this summer? It would certainly be fun.

Some goals I’m working towards.

Obviously, I want to be able to write full-time someday, and I’m working on making that happen, slowly but surely. But there are other goals. I’m hopefully going to start doing some renovations to my condo that I’ve wanted to do since I moved in. And this may scare some of my readers, but I would like to get more tattoos someday.

Yes, I have tattoos. They’re normally covered by clothes.

Animals I feel a special kinship with.

Tigers are my spirit animal. I love their fierce beauty and power. I even have one tattooed on my chest.

I also love owls, ocelots, snakes, foxes, wolves, and regular cats and dogs. Honestly, I would love to be able to interact with any of these in a safe manner. The cats and dogs are easy enough, but the rest would probably be a challenge. Still, a guy can dream, can’t he?

A skill I wish I had and a skill I would like to learn.

I would love it if languages came easily to me. Unfortunately, perhaps because I just haven’t found the right teacher, I’m terrible with anything other than English (though I still remember plenty of Hebrew and some French and German). Maybe there’s a skill or technique that’s not a total scam to teach me other languages? If so, sound off in the comments!

If I could hang out with any of my characters, who would I hang out with?

Kat from my Backrooms story (still looking for a publisher for that one). She and I are both aromantic, and we have similar nerdy interests, so we would get along fine. We’d probably make some snacks, sit on the couch, and binge whatever we’re in the mood for.

Things I like to collect?

Books, obviously. I have over 600 or 700 books across various media, including ebooks and audio books. I also collect dolls and figurines, which I keep in my room. I think some of them are haunted and watch me in my sleep. And I have plenty of wall art, too, so I guess that counts.

What am I reading now?

Currently, I’m in the middle of Spectrum, which is an upcoming anthology of horror stories written by neurodivergent writers. Many of the stories are about the authors’ own neurological states, so it’s really personal. As someone who’s also neurodivergent (or “neuro-spicy,” according to some definitions), I’m finding it all very fascinating. Thanks to the publisher for furnishing me with an advanced copy (it comes out on April 2nd if you’re interested).

I’m also listening to IT on audio book. Though I already mentioned that, didn’t I?

What am I writing now?

A novella about a 3D printer from Hell. Well, hopefully it stays a novella. There’s a chance it could bloat into a novel. Though one way or another, I have a feeling it’ll be a fun story. Very in line with the mass market horror stories of the 1970s and 1980s.

In another life I would have been…

When I went to Israel, my friends on the trip told me I’d make a great late-night show host, so maybe that. Or a radio or podcast host.

I’d also enjoy being a massage therapist, or even a professional dancer. Those are great jobs that bring people happiness and are fulfilling to the people doing them.

Though if I’m being honest, a sorcerer of dark magic is also quite appealing…

Something I try to do once a day.

I do one Tarot reading every day. I find Tarot helpful as a way to receive advice from the universe and get previews of the events in my life. And it can be scarily accurate sometimes.

Also, I’ve gotten skilled enough to do it at events where I sell books. People go crazy for it and it’s wonderful as an extra source of income. Though I can’t see me doing it everyday or as a career for a variety of reasons.

The best writing advice I can give.

You need to carve out the time to write. I give this to every writer, no matter their background or experience. A writing fairy will never appear before you and grant you certain hours in the day to write. You have to make that time. Sure, you might have to give some things up. But hey, look at this way: before becoming famous, Stephen King would find time every day to write in the laundry room of the trailer he, his wife and his three children lived in at the time.

If he can do that while also working as a teacher and an occasional gas station attendant, imagine what you can do if you cut a few non-essential things out here and there.

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I hope you enjoyed that, my Followers of Fear. If any of the questions and answers really spoke to you, let’s discuss in the comments below. Be sure to also read Caitlin’s post, to see how I got inspired to write this one.

And if you are interested, do your own post like this! You can change the questions as you like, or come up with an entirely new list of questions. Just be sure to tag or link back to me so I can see your post.

That’s all for now. Until next time, good night and pleasant nightmares!