Posts Tagged ‘Video Rage’

Video Rage: 1st Review

Posted: June 16, 2016 in Novel, Review, Writing
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Video Rage

I’ve got my first review of Video Rage! Yay! And it’s from my friend Katja, aka Kat Impossible, from the blog Life and Other Disasters. You’ve probably seen her comments on my posts once or twice on my blog. She’s got that really awesome black-and-white photo as her profile picture.

Now I’m not going to quote the entire review here. Let’s just say I like that she’s honest. She points out the bad as well as the good, which I appreciate. After all, that shows where I can improve in future stories (though given the nature of what I write, it might be hard to get Kat to read them. She doesn’t really do scary). And when she points out the good, she has a way of putting it that makes me smile. Here’s what she said about how I do endings:

Finally, Rami has a certain talent for ending a story. His epilogue always makes you wonder what will happen next and that’s basically what keeps you hooked in a book.

Just wait till you read the third book! I’ve got an ending that I think will really surprise people.

If you guys want to check out the full review, please click here. And if you like what you read, please feel free to leave Kat a comment with your thoughts.

Also, if you’re interested in checking out Video Rage, or the first book Reborn City, I’ll post the links down below. And if you decide to get a copy of either book and you like what you read, please make sure to let me know. Positive or negative, I love feedback, and it ultimately helps me out as a writer.

That’s all for now. Tomorrow’s Friday, so you know what that means. Until next time, my Followers of Fear!

Reborn City: Amazon, Createspace, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Smashwords, and Kobo

Video Rage: Amazon, Kindle, Createspace, Barnes & Noble, iBooks,Smashwords, and Kobo.

Video Rage: Out One Week

Posted: June 8, 2016 in Living and Life, Novel, Progress Report, Review, Writing
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Video Rage

I can’t believe how fast a single week can go. And I’m happy to say that Video Rage‘s first week has been very successful. Already a lot of people are getting copies of it, and even sales of Reborn City, the first book in the trilogy, has picked up a bit. This makes me really happy because it lets me know that people are very interested in reading these creations of mine.

Now, if you’re unfamiliar with Reborn City and Video Rage (and you must be really new here if that’s the case), they’re the first two books in the science fiction trilogy I’ve been writing since high school. The series follows Zahara Bakur, a Muslim teenager living in a dystopian future, and how her life changes drastically when she is forced to join the Hydras, a rising street gang in the western projects of the Vegas-style city-state Reborn City. Once in the Hydras, she learns that the gang’s leaders have amazing powers and abilities, and that there’s some connection between them and Reborn City’s mysterious leaders. The events that occur in the aftermath of these revelations will not only shape the lives of Zahara and her friends, but perhaps change the world.

When the first book came out back in 2013 (yeah, it took me three years to get the second book out. I was busy with school and work and a few other things), I was gladdened by how much people liked it. Indeed, those who left reviews had some very nice things to say:

This is not a genre I typically delve into, but I took this book on vacation and couldn’t put it down. The plot had me turning pages at quite the clip. The characters were unique and interesting and the imagery had me creating my own visual of what Rami’s interpretation of the future looked like. For first time novelist, Rami Ungar, this was an outstanding showing of talent and commitment to his passion of writing. Looking forward to seeing what he comes up with next!

–Michele K

As a reader who does not read books in this genre, I must admit that I could not put down the book. I attribute this to the talent of the author. I am looking forward to reading the next books published by Ungar. I recommend this book to readers who enjoy action with features of supernatural powers and sci-fi.

–ENJ

This is an extremely commendable effort by a new young writer, whom I believe we will see much more of in the years ahead. Rami Ungar’s vision of a frightening dystopian future is peppered with those elements that make us all human. There are quite a few surprises in the book, and I am anxious for the next volume in the series to be released.

–Marc N

Gangland violence, superhero-like enhancements, a futuristic setting, and social commentary that stems from a semi-post-apocalyptic theme. And then there’s a story where people come together as a family to deal with mutual loss and tragedy. What’s not to like?

–Matthew S. Williams, author of Whiskey Delta and Pappa Zulu

That last one was especially important for me, because it came from an author friend whom I admire a lot.

So yeah, people have enjoyed the first book. And I’m hoping that with the second book, people have similar reactions. With sequels, I try to include the parts that worked, improve or fix the parts that didn’t, and overall expand the world and action in the story without just adding more explosions and some flimsy plot a la Michael Bay (there are explosions here and there, but they’re definitely not excessive).

Reborn City and Video Rage, side by side.

Reborn City and Video Rage, side by side.

I also hope that people take the main theme of the book series to heart. A lot of the characters have been through a lot, and have been told that they are good for only one thing, usually not something good. The series follows them as they realize that they can be better than what people think they’re good for. I’m hoping that a lot of readers will find that theme applies to their own lives and that they take it to heart.

If you wish to check out Reborn City and Video Rage, I’ll include the links below. I hope you enjoy the stories, should you decide to check them out, and that whatever your thoughts, positive or negative, you let me know. I love getting feedback from readers, and it makes me a better writer to begin with.

Until next time, my Followers of Fear. Happy reading!

Reborn City: Amazon, Createspace, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Smashwords, and Kobo

Video Rage: Amazon, Kindle, Createspace, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Smashwords, and Kobo

I’m Back in the Swing of Things

Posted: June 5, 2016 in Reflections, Writing
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A screenshot of "A Project in Western Ideals."

A screenshot of “A Project in Western Ideals.”

Life’s been going very good for me. I moved into my new apartment (the kitchen’s still a work-in-progress and I still need to take out all the boxes to the dumpsters behind the parking lot, but I’m working on it), I put out a new book (and so far, I think it’s doing well), my birthday’s coming up (yay me!), and I start my new job a week from Monday (I’m planning on making a very good impression). And to top it all off, I’m editing again!

Yeah, remember when I was like, “I’ve just finished a novel and I just don’t feel like doing any work?” Well, a couple days ago I started doing something I hadn’t done in about a month or so: editing. To be specific, I began editing “A Project in Western Ideals”, the short story I wrote last summer about a girl being turned into a human Barbie doll. As of last night, I’mabout three-fourths of the way through the story, though an ending that satisfies me still alludes me (you’d think after having an ending with witchcraft, and then two endings involving an alien-like organism, I’d find something that worked! Apparently not). I’m going to try to finish the story tonight, though I’ll need an ending that works. I wonder if I change the beginning…

Anyway, after that I plan to get right back into my novel-as-a-thesis, Rose. As you well know, I started on the third draft of that story a couple of months ago, after almost a year of not working on that story (I was busy in-between drafts). but I couldn’t get through the first chapter before I had to work on Video Rage again. Now that that’s out and I’m out of the funk that settled over me after I completed the final draft of VR, I’m looking forward to getting back into that book and doing all the work that needs to be done. A lot needs to be changed, and quite a bit needs to be added, but I think I’m up to it.

The writing space in my new apartment. Pretty sweet, huh?

The writing space in my new apartment. Pretty sweet, huh?

You know, I think writing is a lot like every other skill or profession: there are times when you are in love with it, and times when you just don’t want to deal with it. There are times when you are amazing at it, where everything you write is worthy of publication and awards, and times when everything you write is dreck. I had my phase, where I just couldn’t write anything besides a blog post. But now it’s over, and I’m ready to start something new. Maybe that’s because so many new things are happening in my life. I moved into a new apartment, complete with my own little writing space (you can see it on the right). I’m starting a new job a week from tomorrow. And my birthday is coming up later this week, among other things. Basically, with so much energy of the new in me and around me, how can that funk not be lifted?

So expect a bunch of updates on the writing life in the weeks and months to come. I’m going to definitely try and get Rose done before it’s time to get ready for National Novel Writing Month. Wish me luck in the meantime, my Followers of Fear. I’m definitely going to need a little bit of luck in the weeks and months to come.

#FirstLineFriday

Posted: June 2, 2016 in Novel, Writing
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It’s Friday, so you know what that means. It’s #FirstLineFriday! Also, it’s a week till my birthday! I’ll be twenty-three years old. Wow. Twenty-three. And what have I done with my life?

Anyway, if you don’t know what #FirstLineFriday is, let me break it down for you. On Fridays, you:

  1. Create a post on your blog titled #FirstLineFriday, hashtag and all.
  2. Explain the rules like I’m doing now.
  3. Post the first one or two lines of a possible story, a story in progress, or a completed or published work.
  4. Ask your readers for feedback and encourage them to try #FirstLineFriday on their own blogs (tagging is encouraged but not necessary).

This week’s entry is obvious. I’m doing the first lines of Video Rage, which came out two days ago. And I know what you’re thinking. “Didn’t he already do Video Rage a while back?” Yeah, but it’s my blog, and I do what I want here. Enjoy:

The sunbaked concrete and metal shimmered in the hundred-plus degree heat, the many cars and trucks reflecting light off their chrome bodies like blinding beasts zooming down the highway. As truckers listened to country and rock music and children played video games on the backs of their parents’ car seats, some occasionally looked out to see a marvel of the modern world on the road.

Thoughts? Let’s discuss in the comments below.

And if you’re interested, why not try #FirstLineFriday on your own blog? It’s a lot of fun, simple to do, and it makes for great practice with openings for stories. In fact, I think I’ll tag someone just to show them how fun it is. Let’s see…I choose Damyanti Biswas of Daily (write). Congrats Damyanti, you’ve been tagged. Please do your own #FirstLineFriday either today or next week. Good luck, and have fun with it.

Also, if you’re interested in reading either Video Rage or Reborn City, the first book in the series, I’ll include the links at the end of this post.It’s the story of a street gang in a dystopian futuristic city-state and the mysterious connection between the gang’s superpowered leaders and the city’s powerful leaders. The novels contain themes of prejudice, drug addiction, and overcoming what others think of you.

And if you do decide to read the books, please let me know what you think. Positive or negative, I love feedback, and it improves my skills as a writer knowing what people liked or didn’t like.

That’s all for now. I’m planning on having dinner with friends tonight, and if I can get up on time, I’ll go to an ice cream social tomorrow at my synagogue (Saturday mornings are hard for me). I hope you guys have a good one as well. Until next time, my Followers of Fear.

Reborn City:  Amazon, Createspace, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Smashwords, and Kobo

Video Rage: Amazon, Kindle, Createspace, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Smashwords, and Kobo

Building a Fictional World (Guest Post by Rami Ungar)

Posted: June 1, 2016 in Reflections, Writing
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I was honored by my friend and colleague, Ruth Ann Nordin, to do a guest post on her blog in honor of the publication of Video Rage. The post is about building worlds in fiction, and has some tips I hope people find very useful. Check it out, and leave your thoughts in the comments.
And thanks again to Ruth for letting me do this. I hope we can work together again sometime.

Ruth Ann Nordin's avatarRuth Ann Nordin's Author Blog

Quick note from yours truly:

I’ve never had a post about world building before, so I’m really excited to feature someone who is excellent at this storytelling technique.  Rami Ungar is one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet, and if you enjoy thrillers and/or horror, why not check out one of the books listed below this post?

Thank you, Rami, for doing this post for this blog!

Now for Rami’s post:

Building a Fictional World

Setting is one of the most important aspects of writing any story, especially speculative fiction such as fantasy, science fiction, and horror. In many ways, the setting of a story is another character, because it interacts with the characters on almost every level of the story. Doesn’t matter whether it’s modern-day Columbus, Ohio, or Victorian England, or the moons of Jupiter, or the fantastical land across the waters that elves come from. One can’t…

View original post 1,288 more words

Video Rage is Now Available

Posted: June 1, 2016 in Novel, Progress Report, Writing
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VR CS front cover

It’s finally happening! It’s finally happened! It’s finally out!

I’m sorry, but this is a big deal for me. After a lot of writing and editing and marketing and just plain waiting, Video Rage, the sequel to Reborn City and the second book in the Reborn City series, is finally available.

I know, very exciting stuff, right?

Now if you’re unfamiliar with the Reborn City series, the trilogy follows Zahara Bakur, a Sunni Muslim girl living in the dystopian city of Reborn City, who is forced to join the West Reborn Hydras, a rising street gang in the city’s projects whose leaders seem to have amazing powers and abilities. As Zahara becomes entrenched in the gang life and grows close to some of the other Hydras, including quiet and grim leader Rip, she becomes embroiled in a conspiracy involving the Hydra leadership and the mysterious Parthenon Company that rules over Reborn City. She and her friends will have to band together if they are to survive what is in store for them.

In the second book of the Reborn City series, (SPOILERS!) Zahara and the rest of the Hydras–Rip, Ilse, Alto, Rico, Miguel, Owl, Fox, Iori, and Kevlar–are on the run from the Parthenon Company and its insidious CEO, Jason Price. Branded as terrorists and hunted by every law enforcement agency on the North American continent, the Hydras have to band together to survive. Not everyone will survive what’s to come, and tensions will rise in the group as new friends and old enemies appear to change the course of their lives. If they manage to survive it all, the Hydras may not only overcome what fate has in store for them, but also find hope in the most unlikely of places. (End of SPOILERS!)

If you’re interested in getting the second book, or you’re curious and want to pick up the first book, I’ll include the links below. The ebooks are available for ninety-nine cents for both books through the end of the month, while the paperbacks are available for differing prices depending on book and what site you get it from. And if you decide to read the books, please let me know what you think of them. Positive or negative, I love feedback from my readers, and it helps me as a writer to hear what you think of my stories.

That’s all for now. I’m going to go celebrate the latest book in my bibliography finally getting published. Thanks to everyone who’s supported me and helped me get this far with the story, and another thank you to everyone who’s going to read this story and (hopefully) enjoy it. I couldn’t have done any of this without you.

Until next time, my Followers of Fear!

Reborn City:  Amazon, Createspace, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Smashwords, and Kobo

Video Rage:  Amazon, Kindle, Createspace, Barnes & Noble, iBooks,Smashwords, and Kobo.

Sunday Surprise

Posted: May 29, 2016 in Character Interviews, Novel, Writing
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What’s better than one character interview in one day? Two! While Rip’s getting interviewed on the blog, Zahara’s getting interviewed by another fictional character on the blog Creative Barbwire, hosted by fellow novelist Barbara G. Tarn. Definitely check it out, especially if you haven’t read Reborn City yet.

Barb's avatarBarbara G.Tarn - writer

Hi guys,

I’m Samantha and I come from another world – the original, old Silvery Earth, where people are immortal and never grow up. When I’m not switching bodies at will, I travel to other universes, especially books or movies. That’s how I met Rajveer the vampire, for example!

So, I’m taking over the interviews on this blog! And here I am, meeting people from other books/universes/whatever!

RC coverWelcome, guest! Tell me a little about yourself!

Hi, my name is Zahara Bakur. I’m fifteen years old, and I’m from New York City. I’m a Sunni Muslim, and I’m supposed to be entering my senior year of high school, but…well, things are complicated right now.

I don’t know why, but things on Earth are always complicated… *snort* Describe your appearance in ten words or less.

Average height and weight, light-brown skin, blonde hair (it used to be brown). Sorry, that’s longer…

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Character Interview: Rip from “Video Rage”

Posted: May 28, 2016 in Character Interviews, Novel, Writing
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VR CS front cover

Last time I visited with Zahara Bakur, the protagonist of Video Rage, to talk about what’s been happening since she left Reborn City. This weekend though, I’m visiting with the Reborn City series’s male lead, the quiet and gruff Rip. I’m a little nervous, because the last time I met Rip he tried to kill me, but I’m sure we’ll get along this time.

If not, I left my will underneath one of the couch cushions, and I want my instructions for the funeral followed to the letter! We’re doing that procession New Orleans-style, with lots of jazz and fanfare! And if that doesn’t happen, my ghost WILL HAUNT YOU!

So without further ado, let’s get started!

Notes and Stats:
Sex: Male
Age: Unknown (believed to be between ages 16-18)
Race/Ethnicity: Caucasian
Birthday: Unknown
Eye color: Grey
Hair color: Dyed brown (grey prior to dyeing, brown prior to turning grey).
Religion: Agnostic bordering on atheist.
Affiliation: West Reborn Hydras
Special Powers/Abilities: Able to create neon-green claws using specialized glands in his knuckles capable of cutting through most substances. Skilled fighter in street and military combat. Average hoverbike rider.
Notes from the Author: In fiction, characters often go on a journey of emotional and psychological growth as well as on a physical journey from Point A to Point B. In Reborn City, Rip’s journey involved his relationship with Zahara. In Video Rage, Rip’s journey is a bit more complicated. Although he’s very tough and strong, in many ways he’s still immature and has room to grow. In this book, he’ll have to make some very tough decisions and learn from some mistakes that have far-reaching consequences. I’m looking forward to seeing how people react to this aspect of the story.

RU: Hey Rip! Long time no see.

Rip: Oh no, not you again.

RU: Happy to see you too. So Rip, these days you and the other Hydras are still on the run from Parthenon. What has that been like for you?

Rip: It’s a fuckin’ pain in the ass.

RU: Care to elaborate on that?

Rip: Not really.

RU: Why not?

Rip: Because I’m fuckin’ tired an’ stressed.

RU: Dude, that’s your life every day.

Rip: Well, it’s worse these days.

RU: I bet. Top of the Most Wanted list. Every law enforcement agency on the North American continent looking for you. Most are being encouraged to kill rather than capture.

Rip: All while sittin’ on a fuckin’ hoverbike an av’rij of twelve hours a day.

RU: Here, have this.

Rip: What’s this?

RU: Pre-war soda. Trust me, they don’t make them like this anymore.

Rip: They barely make ’em at all. Mm. Not bad.

RU: Look Rip, I know you’re a busy guy–

Rip: That’s an understatement.

RU: So just answer me one question and I’ll let you go. What do you hope to happen if you manage to get away from Parthenon and all your pursuers?

Rip: I doan know. I guess I just want us all to live in peace. ‘Specially Zahara. She puts up a strong front an’ she’s braver than she used to be, but a girl like that doan deserve a gangsta’s life. She deserves a quiet life. An’ I’m gonna try to give it to her.

RU: I wish you luck with that. Hoka hey, Rip.

Rip: Ho-what now?

RU: You’ll find out soon enough.

Remember folks, Video Rage is available from all retailers June 1st (that’s Wednesday if you don’t have a calendar). Right now, it’s available for pre-order from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Smashwords, and Kobo. And you can still get the first book, Reborn City, from those same sites.

All for now. If anything comes up, I’ll make sure to let you know. Until next time, my Followers of Fear!

#FirstLineFriday

Posted: May 27, 2016 in Writing
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It’s Friday, so you know what that means. It’s #FirstLineFriday! And it’s the 52nd #FirstLineFriday on this blog, a full year of doing these posts. That’s either an achievement to be admired or cause to worry about how I spend my life. I hope it’s the first one.

So if you’re unfamiliar with what #FirstLineFriday is, let me explain it to you. On Fridays, you:

  1. Create a post on your blog entitled #FirstLineFriday, hashtag and all.
  2. Explain the rules like I’m doing now.
  3. Post the first one or two lines of a potential work, a work-in-progress, or a completed or published work.
  4. Invite feedback from your readers and encourage them to try #FirstLIneFriday on their own blogs (tagging is encouraged but not necessary).

This week is another entry that doesn’t belong to any particular story. I’ve been turning over this idea for a potential novel in my head, so this could be a potential opening for it, but even if it isn’t, it would make a great opening to some story, I’m sure. Enjoy:

The grind and roar of heavy machines was loud enough to be heard outside the factory, but within the workers were barely aware of it. Not that they didn’t know there were machines making loud noises around them, they were just so used to the noise that they hardly noticed it anymore.

Thoughts? Errors in writing it out? Let’s discuss.

And while you’re at it, why not try #FirstLineFriday yourself on your own blog? It’s easy, fun, and for storytellers it’s a great way to try new openings. In fact, I think I’ll tag someone. Let’s see…I choose Richard Leis! Congrats, you get to do a #FirstLineFriday post this week or next. Have fun and make sure to link back to me when you do.

That’s all for now. Expect more posts from me this weekend. After all, only five days till Video Rage comes out! Have a great weekend, my Followers of Fear, and I’ll see you next time.

Video Rage: One Week Till the Release

Posted: May 25, 2016 in Novel, Progress Report, Writing
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VR CS front cover

It’s May 25th, which means there’s one week till Video Rage comes out. I know, right? So close, how exciting! I have to admit, it’s been a crazy process getting this book out, but I’m glad that it’ll be out soon for all to read (and maybe review?).

Now, if you’re unfamiliar with Video Rage (and you must be really new here if you are, because it seems I talk about nothing else lately), it’s the sequel to my first novel Reborn City, and the second book in the Reborn City series, a science fiction trilogy about Zahara Bakur, a Muslim teenager who finds herself forced to join an up-and-coming street gang called the Hydras after the death of her parents. The gang’s leaders all seem to have mysterious abilities and powers, and to add to the weirdness, the city’s leaders have a strange interest in the small gang as well. When the truth is revealed, Zahara and her friends will have to band together if they are to survive the forces set up against them.

The first book came out back in November 2013, and it’s taken nearly three years to get the second book out (in my defense, I had school and work and a whole bunch of other stuff slowing down the process). But through it all, the writing and editing and re-editing and so much else, I’ve had you guys, my readers, my Followers of Fear, cheering me on. I’m so glad to have you and I hope you really enjoy reading the second book once it comes out.

And speaking of which, if you’re interested in reading either book, the first book’s already out and the second’s available for preorder. Both are available for ninety-nine cents in e-book format, which I hope meets everyone’s budgets (paperback varies between books and sites). Links are listed below, so you can check it out from your preferred format or retailer. And if you do end up getting a copy of Reborn City and/or Video Rage and you read it, I hope you’ll let me know what you think of the books. Positive or negative, I love feedback from my readers, whether it’s in a comment on this blog or in an Amazon review (plus it helps me improve as a writer to know what works and what doesn’t work).

That’s all for now, my Followers of Fear. Expect a lot more posts from me in the coming week, with maybe half of them being out Video Rage (yeah, I’m a dedicated advertiser when it comes to my own work). Until next time!

Reborn City:  Amazon, Createspace, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Smashwords, and Kobo

Video Rage:  Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks,Smashwords, and Kobo.

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