Friday, January 24, 2014
To Call It 'Bromance', Or Not To Call It 'Bromance'... That Is The Question:
To
Call It 'Bromance, Or Not To Call It 'Bromance'… That Is The Question:
Okay, so it seems there's a word thing going on with the term 'Bromance'.
I hit a forum recently and it turns out that many people are not happy with the
term 'Bromance', saying that men don't need to have a label when describing
their best friend relationships, as women don't have a particular label going
on with their friendships. I don't know, but when I hear 'BFF' or 'Besty'
(Bestie?) I take that as a type of female oriented close-knit friendship.
I actually like the term 'Bromance', especially in literature because
there's no real genre' for these types of relationships between men. It
particularly helps clarify more of what my stories are about. I could say 'Buddy
story', or 'Brother-friend', which I first heard in a movie about Native
Americans. The two warriors of the tribe were each others' best friend and said
so by the use of the term 'Brother-friend'. The term was used throughout the
movie and it stuck with me. I could place my stories under that category if the
term 'Bromance' is too taboo, but I really don't understand the necessity of
this being a problem. It's something that's been around for millennia; from
John and Jesus, Jonathan and David, Gilgamesh and Enkidu, Achilles and Patroclus,
etc, etc.
Sometimes writers just need a specific term to inform the public what
their story is about. Yes, 'Bromance' is the newest catchphrase regarding close
friendships between men, but it's, I think, an accurate, and clever, one. There
is a very soul-depth love that exists between many men and it should be allowed
a presence in the eyes of the Western World. My feeling on this issue is that
if two friends are as close as brothers and would die for each other (some of
the above stated relationships actually doing so), what harm is there in using
a word that captures such intense connection? Cheesy? Okay, I can see that. But
it seems that much of the argument going on is about the fact that such a
relationship needs to be labeled at all, since women friendships don't really
have a term for their relationships. Granted, there isn't, not officially, but
BFF is used quite often, and I've used 'Sister-luv' a lot myself. There's also 'Sisterhood',
but then we can counter that the term 'brotherhood' can be used for guys.
All I really want is for people to understand what my stories are about. I
use the term 'Bromance', because it is becoming a popular term now, and people
know what the term means, or are now learning about it. I know some men cringe
at the word, but give it time… maybe it'll grow on you. ;D
Am curious to know what others think, so please feel free to help me out
in tagging my novel for release. You see, the story is really about the friendship between the two main characters. It's a relationship story taking place in a Space-Opera Fantasy world with political unrest sprouting up all around them and how it affects them personally. But... it's their friendship that is the focus of the story, and how that friendship is affected by the surrounding turmoil. Obviously it's a Sci-fi/Fantasy genre', but to really reach my target audience which are buddy-story lovers, should I call it 'Bromance'? 'Brother-friendship'?
'Buddy story'? Any ideas? I'm open and receptive to input so feel free to speak
your take on this issue. Would love to hear from you. :)
Thank you and Blessed Be.
Janalyn
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
The beginning of my YouTube vids.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0tA8ExTqRI&feature=em-upload_owner
I'm posting YouTube vids as I've felt led to share my journeys both in spiritual pathworking as well as progress reports for my Bromance stories. I hope you will enjoy and if you feel led, to please subscribe to my channel.
Blessed Be. :D
Hugs,
Janalyn
I'm posting YouTube vids as I've felt led to share my journeys both in spiritual pathworking as well as progress reports for my Bromance stories. I hope you will enjoy and if you feel led, to please subscribe to my channel.
Blessed Be. :D
Hugs,
Janalyn
Monday, December 30, 2013
"The Solitary And The Mercenary" Book I is FINISHED!
Greetings, FT's! (Fellow Travelers)
The first volume of my "The Solitary And The Mercenary" story is COMPLETED! I'm giving it a final read-through before sending it onto the beta reader then the editor, then we obtain the cover, then we format it for Amazon's Paperback option as well as Kindle. And with the Paperback option, I will be obtaining the Expanded Distribution, meaning it will hit Europe and the UK as well as, hopefully, a few copies on the Barnes and Noble bookshelves. :D
The final read-through is revealing some minor typos and inconsistencies I need to address as well as clothing descriptions to flesh out, but other than that, the actual story/plot aspect is DONE! I began on July 23, 2013 and ended it on December 29, 2013. 5 months and 6 days of hard work culminating in a book of 34 chapters, a Prologue, an Epilogue and hopefully an entertaining Bromance/Space-Opera story that focuses on the relationships within the plot, not just the plot itself.
One of my pet peeves of many shows is that the writers focus on the mechanics of the plot line rather than how the plot affects the characters of the show. Very rarely will I find a balance of both. Or, even more desirable, an emphasis on the actual relationship vs. plot.
When a plot moves the characters along, you've got a great story. When the characters move the plot along, you've got a ho-hum story. I'm hoping mine is in the first category. :D
Blake and Kylan are the main focus here, brothers in spirit with Blake being the oldest by about 6 years. Kylan is a mage, born within a magical household, growing up with major responsibilities as a young child that matured him far beyond his physical age, so his spirit is calmer, peaceful, compassionate. He had to learn at a young age that just because you have magick, you have to take care in how it affects others. Blake is an orphan who got to know Kylan and his family through Kylan's older brother, Lance (Short for Lancer) when they met in the military academy. Lance and Blake are about the same age, and both adore Kylan and Kylan adores them. No one being at each others throats in this story, well... not much at least. LOL! I'm sort of tired of seeing that happen all the time between brothers. There's no balance there, too much conflict and not enough real honest to goodness bonding. Sometimes you just get tired of the negativity and need some 'warm fuzzies' to get you through the story. Not that my story is full of mushy, but it does have some definite soul-connecting between the three boys and the friends around them. Sometimes you just need to clear the crap away and make room for some solidarity and grounding.
I hope this story will touch your heart as well as entertain and put a smile on your face, maybe cause you to shed a few tears (I'm a sucker for a tear-jerker. Merlin's final episode broke my heart, but in such a bitter-sweet way.)
So, with that being said, lots of things to do still, working on the second book beginning this week, even though I'm already close to 40,000 words into it. I need to really finish it up and move it along to that goal of a July release. :D
Things are happening, I've determined to teach myself Wicca and Science of Mind, to become a true practitioner of the Craft, and will be posting vids to share what I learn. Not to teach... just to share. I'll give you all information on that as it begins. I have had some great insights recently, cleaning out the spirit house and making way for new epiphanies and pathworking. Feel free to join me if these areas of spirituality are possibly something you'd be interested in communicating about. I'm always open to insights from others, as I find myself too narrow in my thinking. I need to expand my horizons. :D Maybe you all can help me with that. So, no teaching, just sharing points of view, insights, a-ha!moments and things like that.
That's all for now. Please subscribe to my blog here or my FB page at: https://www.facebook.com/JanalynsBromance?ref=hl to learn more about the story and this incredible journey. Thank you! :D
The first volume of my "The Solitary And The Mercenary" story is COMPLETED! I'm giving it a final read-through before sending it onto the beta reader then the editor, then we obtain the cover, then we format it for Amazon's Paperback option as well as Kindle. And with the Paperback option, I will be obtaining the Expanded Distribution, meaning it will hit Europe and the UK as well as, hopefully, a few copies on the Barnes and Noble bookshelves. :D
The final read-through is revealing some minor typos and inconsistencies I need to address as well as clothing descriptions to flesh out, but other than that, the actual story/plot aspect is DONE! I began on July 23, 2013 and ended it on December 29, 2013. 5 months and 6 days of hard work culminating in a book of 34 chapters, a Prologue, an Epilogue and hopefully an entertaining Bromance/Space-Opera story that focuses on the relationships within the plot, not just the plot itself.
One of my pet peeves of many shows is that the writers focus on the mechanics of the plot line rather than how the plot affects the characters of the show. Very rarely will I find a balance of both. Or, even more desirable, an emphasis on the actual relationship vs. plot.
When a plot moves the characters along, you've got a great story. When the characters move the plot along, you've got a ho-hum story. I'm hoping mine is in the first category. :D
Blake and Kylan are the main focus here, brothers in spirit with Blake being the oldest by about 6 years. Kylan is a mage, born within a magical household, growing up with major responsibilities as a young child that matured him far beyond his physical age, so his spirit is calmer, peaceful, compassionate. He had to learn at a young age that just because you have magick, you have to take care in how it affects others. Blake is an orphan who got to know Kylan and his family through Kylan's older brother, Lance (Short for Lancer) when they met in the military academy. Lance and Blake are about the same age, and both adore Kylan and Kylan adores them. No one being at each others throats in this story, well... not much at least. LOL! I'm sort of tired of seeing that happen all the time between brothers. There's no balance there, too much conflict and not enough real honest to goodness bonding. Sometimes you just get tired of the negativity and need some 'warm fuzzies' to get you through the story. Not that my story is full of mushy, but it does have some definite soul-connecting between the three boys and the friends around them. Sometimes you just need to clear the crap away and make room for some solidarity and grounding.
I hope this story will touch your heart as well as entertain and put a smile on your face, maybe cause you to shed a few tears (I'm a sucker for a tear-jerker. Merlin's final episode broke my heart, but in such a bitter-sweet way.)
So, with that being said, lots of things to do still, working on the second book beginning this week, even though I'm already close to 40,000 words into it. I need to really finish it up and move it along to that goal of a July release. :D
Things are happening, I've determined to teach myself Wicca and Science of Mind, to become a true practitioner of the Craft, and will be posting vids to share what I learn. Not to teach... just to share. I'll give you all information on that as it begins. I have had some great insights recently, cleaning out the spirit house and making way for new epiphanies and pathworking. Feel free to join me if these areas of spirituality are possibly something you'd be interested in communicating about. I'm always open to insights from others, as I find myself too narrow in my thinking. I need to expand my horizons. :D Maybe you all can help me with that. So, no teaching, just sharing points of view, insights, a-ha!moments and things like that.
That's all for now. Please subscribe to my blog here or my FB page at: https://www.facebook.com/JanalynsBromance?ref=hl to learn more about the story and this incredible journey. Thank you! :D
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Picture above of Sam and Dean
Yeah, so though this didn't actually happen in the finale' ep of Season 8 for "Supernatural", grateful, so very grateful, for the hug. And for the boys burying their past wounds... in a church. In a sense vowing to each other to stand by each other... in a church. And Dean wrapping Sam's wounded hand (left hand, btw) as a form, symbol of handfasting their renewal of brotherhood... in a church.
Need I say more? Not homoerotic, but definitely symbolic of something deeper than mere brothers standing by each other. These guys have been through hell and death together, fought side-by-side and managed to emerge stronger - together - than they ever would be if separated.
Such a bromance in every sense of the word. That scene was powerful and gut-wrenching and Sammy's pain of soul as well as body was the ONLY thing Dean had on his mind, the ONLY thing Dean was focused on. Saving his little brother's heart, soul and body. What could have been better for us than that? Honestly, nothing. So though this portrayal above is a beautiful touch, and though it didn't happen on the show, in a sense it did happen on a soul-level. And that's all that matters to me.
Welcome back, boys. Time to be brothers again.
:D
Need I say more? Not homoerotic, but definitely symbolic of something deeper than mere brothers standing by each other. These guys have been through hell and death together, fought side-by-side and managed to emerge stronger - together - than they ever would be if separated.
Such a bromance in every sense of the word. That scene was powerful and gut-wrenching and Sammy's pain of soul as well as body was the ONLY thing Dean had on his mind, the ONLY thing Dean was focused on. Saving his little brother's heart, soul and body. What could have been better for us than that? Honestly, nothing. So though this portrayal above is a beautiful touch, and though it didn't happen on the show, in a sense it did happen on a soul-level. And that's all that matters to me.
Welcome back, boys. Time to be brothers again.
:D
Novel Update And Other Projects On The Fire
Have moved on this novel "The Solitary And The Mercenary". National Novel Writer's Month, I was able to do over 86,000 words, going deep into the second book of this dual volume story. I have now concluded where in the first book to form a breaking-off point and we are looking at approximately 145-150,000 words for that volume. I'm coming up with more and more ideas for the second book. And when that one is finished, a third one may find its way to my inspirational mode. However, if there is a third book it will take place months after the second book ends.
On a spiritual note, it appears that finances and circumstances will not allow me to take classes in order to get my Science of Mind ministerial credential. Until royalties from the book roll in, that is a vision that will be placed on the back burner for now. Not cancelled, just postponed. :D I'm looking at four years of training and possibly 5,000 dollars total for the classes. I just do not have that kind of time, let alone money. In the meantime, though, I have contended myself with continuing my studies in Wicca/Witchcraft either on a solitary practitioner level, or with a group of you tube vids at my disposal for learning and insight. I've also determined I will teach myself Science of Mind as I have the books and some lesson plans available to implement on my own in between writing and studying magick.
All is well.
The last CT scan I had was over a week ago and so far the oncologist has not pulled me in or sent me bad news. So... the no-news-is-good-news thing is in play and I'm riding it for all it's worth. :D
I have plans, my friends. Plenty to keep me busy and I will share more as we get closer to the publication of the books. I hope to upload videos to YouTube as well once I get myself a bit more presentable. I have to cut my hair and determine a look for me that I feel comfortable with on camera. Yes, okay, in that respect I may fall into a bit of a vanity scenario, but let me tell you if I didn't consider it, I'd scare people off. This face and no make up? Uh... no. Not gonna happen. LOL!
I have been losing some weight with the Paleo/no carb diet, but not as quickly as I'd like it to happen considering I've been on it for a month. Still, it is happening so I can't complain too, too much. :D
In the meantime... writing, studying and applying what I'm learning... this is my life. Once the book is published I will hopefully be able to put together a Publishing Party on Facebook. If you're into Bromance or know others who are, then this party may just be something you'll be interested in. I'll give more details as we move along.
I also will be putting together a website for pictures, videos, updates on the book, excerpts, cover art and things all dealing with my Bromance stories, as well as many other things that inspire the Bromance aspect of entertainment. I'm excited. I've already put together a FAQ sheet and an 'About The Author' snippet for some of the pages for the website. I've also put together a Bromance store on Zazzle for lovers of Bromance. No art as yet, but that's coming. Some of the buttons and things have quotes from my story. You can find it here: http://www.zazzle.com/dimenlienprojexts Proceeds from products sold on this store will be applied to the purchase of Book 2's cover as well as other artwork to create more nifty items such as more mugs and tee-shirts. Thanks for taking the time to check out the store and this blog! Hope to see you in the Bromance Universe!
Hugs,
Janalyn Robnett
On a spiritual note, it appears that finances and circumstances will not allow me to take classes in order to get my Science of Mind ministerial credential. Until royalties from the book roll in, that is a vision that will be placed on the back burner for now. Not cancelled, just postponed. :D I'm looking at four years of training and possibly 5,000 dollars total for the classes. I just do not have that kind of time, let alone money. In the meantime, though, I have contended myself with continuing my studies in Wicca/Witchcraft either on a solitary practitioner level, or with a group of you tube vids at my disposal for learning and insight. I've also determined I will teach myself Science of Mind as I have the books and some lesson plans available to implement on my own in between writing and studying magick.
All is well.
The last CT scan I had was over a week ago and so far the oncologist has not pulled me in or sent me bad news. So... the no-news-is-good-news thing is in play and I'm riding it for all it's worth. :D
I have plans, my friends. Plenty to keep me busy and I will share more as we get closer to the publication of the books. I hope to upload videos to YouTube as well once I get myself a bit more presentable. I have to cut my hair and determine a look for me that I feel comfortable with on camera. Yes, okay, in that respect I may fall into a bit of a vanity scenario, but let me tell you if I didn't consider it, I'd scare people off. This face and no make up? Uh... no. Not gonna happen. LOL!
I have been losing some weight with the Paleo/no carb diet, but not as quickly as I'd like it to happen considering I've been on it for a month. Still, it is happening so I can't complain too, too much. :D
In the meantime... writing, studying and applying what I'm learning... this is my life. Once the book is published I will hopefully be able to put together a Publishing Party on Facebook. If you're into Bromance or know others who are, then this party may just be something you'll be interested in. I'll give more details as we move along.
I also will be putting together a website for pictures, videos, updates on the book, excerpts, cover art and things all dealing with my Bromance stories, as well as many other things that inspire the Bromance aspect of entertainment. I'm excited. I've already put together a FAQ sheet and an 'About The Author' snippet for some of the pages for the website. I've also put together a Bromance store on Zazzle for lovers of Bromance. No art as yet, but that's coming. Some of the buttons and things have quotes from my story. You can find it here: http://www.zazzle.com/dimenlienprojexts Proceeds from products sold on this store will be applied to the purchase of Book 2's cover as well as other artwork to create more nifty items such as more mugs and tee-shirts. Thanks for taking the time to check out the store and this blog! Hope to see you in the Bromance Universe!
Hugs,
Janalyn Robnett
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