Rami Ungar The Writer

“The Quiet Game” Page Is Now On Facebook

Posted: January 10, 2013 in Progress Report, short story, Writing
Tags: publishing, short story, writing

Ha ha ha ha!

I’ve set up a page on Facebook for my upcoming collection of short stories, The Quiet Game: Five Tales To Chill Your Bones. Granted, it’s not much yet since I only started advertising today, and I barely have anything to speak of. Hopefully soon though I’ll have plenty of updates to give and I’ll be able to spruce up the page a little bit. In the mean time, I hope you’ll all log onto Facebook and perhaps check the page out. Perhaps press the Like button if you’re sincerely interested. It would definitely make me happy if you did.

Oh, and for those of you wondeirng about the picture of the mask of comedy, that’s relevant to one of the short stories in the collection. You guessed it, the titular one.

“The Quiet Game”: Coming Soon!!!

Posted: January 10, 2013 in Progress Report, short story, Writing
Tags: editing, entertainment, publishing, short story, writing

I was reading an article on promoting your published work last night before bed, and one of the things it mentioned is that you should promote your work as much as possible, even before the actual book comes out. A year would be best for this. However I’ve got anywhere from 3-6 months to get my collection of short stories out, so I’ve got some work to do. And I’d like to start here on my blog, where everyone’s been so supportive and kind to me. So here goes:

Coming soon to a digital book store near you, The Quiet Game. A tentative subtitle would be: Five Tales To Chill Your Bones. I’ve got five short stories that I’m definitely putting into this collection of short stories, and a few I might add in as bonus material. You’ll be able to download each short story individually, if you’re so inclined, but if you download the entire collection, you’ll be able to read notes I’ve put at the end of each short story, thoughts of what was going through my head while writing this short story, and special illustrations I’ll have commissioned for each story.

Not only that, but the collection won’t be much more expensive than an iTunes song, so it should be pretty affordable to you. I hope I can count on your continued support, and I hope to have more on this as time goes by and the final product comes into being. Wish me luck and thanks for being there for me all this time.

The Fifth Short Story For The Collection

Posted: January 9, 2013 in Progress Report, Reflections, short story, Writing
Tags: editing, publishing, short story, writing

Oh, my winter vacation assignment is done! Sure, it ended three days into the new semester, but I blame that on the fact that I had to wait until I got some research materials. Either way, Step 1 of creating this collection is done, so I’ll have to get to work on the next step in publishing a collection. But first, let’s talk a bit on this final short story:

The story is called “Enigma”, a title with many different meanings. For example, the main character, whom I named Jason, is a young boy with autism, and if there’s a medical disorder that can be called an enigma, autism qualifies. Current estimates suggest that 1 in 88 children might have some sort of autism-spectrum disorder, and yet the causes of autism, while most likely genetic in nature, are still unidentified. And every person with autism is unique in what they react to, how to treat them, and how they develop with or without treatment. It’s an enigma just figuring out all that!

There are other reasons why Jason is called an enigma, but I’m not going to get into that because it’ll reveal too much of this story, and we don’t want that. I will say though that this story draws a lot on Native American belief systems, especially Navajo belief systems, and uses a black dog spirit, or more specifically, a wolf spirit, which was believed to be an emissary of death in Navajo culture. According to the Navajo, death entered the world when mankind killed a wolf, so it made sense that wolves were associated with death. And I get to work that belief into the short story, so I’m definitely happy I did the research.

I’ll probably give this short story another look before I send it off to a friend who knows quite a bit on autism and other related disorders to look at and critique. I want to make sure that the story is being told from the perspective of a child with autism, and I want to see if I can heighten the tension during certain scenes. Maybe I’ll also work on the ending a little more.

Well, I’m done writing short stories for a little while, at least ones that won’t be used for creative writing classes. I’ll let you know how my collection is coming along, and hopefully it’ll be out by the time I start editing Snake in March. Wish me luck.

The Sunshine Blogger Award

Posted: January 9, 2013 in Living and Life
Tags: blogging

I’m happy.

Wouldn’t you know it? I got nominated for another one of these meme blog things, and this time it’s the Sunshine Blogger Award, the award for those who use their blog to positively and creatively inspire others in the blogosphere. Thanks to my friend Matt Williams (http://storiesbywilliams.com/2013/01/08/sunshine-blogger-award/) for the nomination; it means so much to me.

So as part of getting nominated for this award, I have to answer some questions. Here they are:

1. What is your passion: Oh, that’s an easy one. Writing stuff that scares people. If I get people scared from something I created, I consider it an accomplishment. In fact, this past Thanksgiving my grandmother told me she’d become very scared reading a science fiction short story I’d written. I was high on that for about three hours afterwards.

2. Favorite time of year: Summer. I’ll take sunscreen and sweat any day over freezing winds and snow. Besides, some of my best memories are associated with the summer.

3. Favorite book: That’s a tough one. I read so much I hardly have time to settle on one. I guess Alice in Wonderland, an influential storybook that hides underneath its whimsical nature a dark world of hallucinations, violence, and possible sexual deviancy on the part of Lewis Carrol. Besides, so many books and mangas I like are based on Alice, it’s hard not to like it.

4. Favorite movie: Another tough one. I’m going to have to say Schindler’s List, not only because it’s such an amazing film, but it inspired the book series I plan to write someday that’ll be my personal magnum opus.

5. Favorite animal: I love all animals, but I’m especially a cat person. I’ve grown up with cats and I feel most comfortable with them. My favorite type of cat is a tiger; I know they want to eat my face off, but I can’t help but want to hug them.

6. Favorite time of day: Late afternoon, early evening. Things are winding down, you can enjoy a good meal with friends and family, and afterwards you can watch the latest episode of your favorite crime or drama series.

7. Favorite flower: Roses. They’re romantic and filled with secret meanings.

8. Favorite nonalcoholic beverage: Diet Dr. Pepper, and I can’t drink yet.

9. Favorite physical activity: A nice relaxing walk on a warm day. Makes winter especially difficult.

10. Favorite vacation: When was the last time I went on vacation? I can’t remember, it was so long ago! But if I could go anywhere for my vacation, I’d probably visit either Germany, Japan, or Israel. Germany because I’m interested in the European theater of WWII, Japan because I’m a huge fan of the culture and of manga/anime, and Israel because I’m an Israel-loving, Zionistic Jew who feels connected to my roots.

Well, I’ve answered all these questions. Time for the nominations:

You! Yes, I’m nominating you, dear reader. Every time someone reads, comments, and/or likes something on my blog, it brings a bit of happiness to my day. So you are the nominee. Congratulations, and have a most wonderful day!

Done Researching, So Onto The Fifth Short Story

Posted: January 7, 2013 in Progress Report, Scary Stuff, short story, Writing
Tags: college life, Ohio State University, scary stuff, short story, writing

Today was my first day of class in the new semester, but I only have the one class on Mondays, and then the rest of the day I’m free. So I got my homework done, ran a few errands, put a load of laundry through, and spent the rest of the day doing research for that fifth and final short story for the collection I’ve been writing. The research was specificially about Native American cultures and their belief systems. I focused mainly on the belief systems of the Apache, Mojave, and Navajo cultures, mainly because they are all in the same area, at least two of these tribes share a common ancestral tribe, and because a good amount of myths involving dogs, coyotes, and wolves come from those areas.

This story will be the one I planned involving a black dog spirit. Black dogs, as you may guess, are symbols of death and destruction and usually derive from the myth of Cerberus in Greco-Roman mythology. Of course, the Native Americans probably only first encountered Cerberus in classrooms where they learned the myths of the Greeks, but the fact that they have their own myths involving black dogs, wolves, and coyotes points to how large a role these creatures played in their belief systems. Either that, or Jung was really onto something.

I also learned quite a bit on the Navajo belief of Hozho, or beauty, harmony, balance, and health. Many ceremonies in Navajo culture are meant to restore this in someone who is feeling ill, and there are a variety of ceremonies, chants, and methods to heal someone who is suffering from any number of maladies. If you ask me, Hozho sounds like a very Zen belief, so score another one for Jung.

Well, I’m going to get to work on this short story before dinner. Hopefully I’ll be able to get this all done by the end of the week, though with my school work and my job taking priority and it being the first week of the semester, anything could happen. Wish me luck.

Review: Texas Chainsaw 3D

Posted: January 6, 2013 in Review, Scary Stuff
Tags: entertainment, films, review, scary stuff

Ladies and gentlemen, Leatherface is back and he’s better than ever!

An alternative title to this film could be Leatherface’s Revenge: What You Reap Is What You Sow.

If you ask me, this is probably the best TCM movie ever made, and considering about 4 or 5 of the others are terrible, that’s saying something. But I guess that means the creators of the film were successful; according to Entertainment Weekly, producer Carl Mazzacone said that he wanted to do with TCM what he did with the Saw movies, which probably means giving the studio enough reasons to keep making sequels and putting them in theaters instead of Direct-to-DVD crap films. I’m not sure how they’ll be able to top this film, but I’ll believe in them.

The plot follows Heather Miller (the sultry-in-a-punk-rock-way Alexandra Daddarino) as she finds out she was adopted and has a now-deceased grandmother who left her a really nice estate. Unfortunately, that estate includes her cousin Leatherface (played by Dan Yeager) who finally has a name: Jedediah “Jed” Sawyer. As her friends and boyfriend (Trey Songz in his first film role) are killed and Heather becomes terrified, Heather starts to realize her own connections to the Sawyer family, and transforms dramatically because of it.

This reimagining of the franchise, which is meant to be a sequel to the original 1974 film, is definitely a revenge story that brings on the blood and gore and scares. Even when we know what’s going to happen right before it does, it’s still awesome to see it unfold on the big screen in 3D. John Luessenhop does a fabulous job directing, while Debra Sullivan, Adam Marcus, and Kirsten Ems deserve commendation for the script. Dan Yeager is terrifying donning the literal face-mask of Leatherface, and Paul Rae does a fantastic job as antagonist Mayor Burt Hartman. As for Thom Barry’s Sheriff Hooper (the last name’s definitely a reference to the director of the original film), I’d definitely invite that guy to dinner. I’d also like to note that those who think a black sheriff in 1974 is a little too soon after the Civil Rights Act, apparently the first black sheriff in Texas was elected in 1869.

Boys, this film is frightening, so definitely bring your girlfriends along with you. Also, stick around after the credits for what I’d like to call “a joke after the horror show”.

For an excellent reboot of one of the earliest slashers ever made and for some great acting and scares, I give this film the great distinction of a 5 out of 5. Yes, that high and this film deserves it.

Taking Risks According to Anne Rice

Posted: January 6, 2013 in Living and Life, Reflections, Writing
Tags: proper decisions, publishing, writing

Ever since I decided to skip the traditional publishing route and go into self-publishing, I’ve had people in my head and people I’ve known for years telling me that it’s a big risk, especially since depending on how I do it I could end up spending a lot of money and not get a lot out of it. Sometimes these voices do worry me.

But I stay optimistic, I stay strong, and I plug ahead without hesitation or fear. And I think things will work out for me. Sometimes you just got to take risks and say “F**k it, I’m going to do it.” Which is definitely my intention.

And if you don’t believe me, believe Anne Rice. She’s taken her own shares of risks in her lifetime, and she’s willing to talk about them.

Getting Ready For A New Workshop

Posted: January 6, 2013 in Living and Life, Progress Report, short story, Writing
Tags: college life, editing, Ohio State University, publishing, short story, writing

I signed up for another creative writing course this semester, though this one you have to apply and submit a portfolio to get in. The teacher was worried that I’d be unable to do well in the class because the focus of the class is literary fiction and genre fiction, which I prefer. But hey, some of my ideas straddle the border between literary and genre, so I might just survive.

In the meantime, I’m looking forward to the first class. I volunteered to write a short story and submit it to the class to be workshopped on the first day. The short story I’m submitting is “Addict”, one of the short stories I wrote during winter vacation. “Addict”, for those of you who don’t know, is based on some of the experiences of a friend of mine who was addicted to sex and pornography, and I plan on adding it to a collection of short stories I hope to put out by the end of the semester.

“Addict” is literary enough that I can submit it to the class and have them take a look over it. Just earlier today, I decided to take one more look at it before I submit it. I’m hoping they like this story; I wrote it out in a day, and it’s rare for me to be able to write any short story that quickly with that sort of flow. Whether they like it or not, I think it has potential, but I’m glad I’m having somebody look at it beforehand, because then I get an unbiased opinion.

I’ll let you know what the class thinks when I’m done with the workshop. Hopefully I won’t have to do too much editing, though that’s usually easier than the writing. At least I’ll get the workshop out of the way rather quickly, and on the plus side, I’ll be able to set the tone of the class for a bit with this short story.

All for now. Blog on you later.

A Short Story That Is Not Going In The Collection Is Done

Posted: January 3, 2013 in ideas, short story, Writing
Tags: ideas, short story, writing

If that’s not a creepy demonic possesion, I don’t know what is!

You know, I only have one or two more posts where I can use that sort of title before this collection of short stories is done with? Just shows how much progress I made during winter break.

Okay, so while I waited for the research materials I’ve been looking for to come in for me at the library, I wrote a short story about a possession gone horribly wrong…for the demon. It’s about ten pages and 2800 words long, and I already know which magazine I’m going to send it to. I hope this magazine accepts it; I submitted to them years ago when i first started writing short stories for magazines. I even got a letter back from the editor saying I had potential, which only spurred me to continue writing short stories and sending them to the magazine. However, after a few rejections, I decided to hold off, to wait until I had written a truly extraordinary story before I submitted to them.

And I think with this story, I could do it. I could get published in this magazine. The story I wrote is different than other stories about possessions, and my voice has really matured and become unique in the years since I last submitted to them. I’ve learned a few tricks, polished a few skills. Heck, I’ve gotten short stories published in other places! I think it really is time I sent something to them, and I think this short story, which I entitled “Ownership”, is the one I should send to them. I hope they like it after I send it to them.

Well, that’s all for now. I hope you have a good evening, and I hope to have more writing updates in the time to come. The next short story I write will be about an autistic child attending a Native American healing ceremony, where weird things start to happen. I can’t wait to get the research done so I can start writing the final short story for the collection. Hopefully, I’ll have the collection out by May, when the Spring Semester ends for me, and then I can put it online.

And I hope you all like it. Because if I get good reviews and if a lot of people download copies, I’ll feel richer than Bill Gates, because I know people really like what I’m writing and they want to read it. That’s better than all the stocks in Microsoft combined, although the royalties from sales would definitely be nice, especially when it comes to paying for tuition, rent, and other needs I have.

Well, like I said before, good night everybody.