Somebody New
| Zine | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Somebody New |
| Publisher: | |
| Editor: | |
| Author(s): | JHS |
| Cover Artist(s): | Suzan Lovett |
| Illustrator(s): | see article |
| Date(s): | October 2006 |
| Medium: | online, print |
| Size: | |
| Genre: | |
| Fandom: | Brokeback Mountain |
| Language: | English |
| External Links: | |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Somebody New is a slash sequel 199-page novel to Brokeback Mountain.
The cover is by Suzan Lovett and the sexually explicit interior artwork by Shelley Butler, Nassima, Mobody, and Virginia Sky.
It was originally written and posted online and then later released in fanzine format. Two months after its release in printed format the author was forced to take the story offline. At the time there was speculation that the removal was in response to a C&D notice by Annie Proulx's attorneys, even though numerous other Brokeback Mountain fan fiction communities and archives existed[1] (and continue to exist)[2] and even though at least one other Brokeback Mountain fanzine had been printed (A Real Good Life by Melody C.).
A sequel, Force of Nature, was started and was being posted online before the author removed her fan fiction. It is unclear if the sequel was ever completed.[3]
From the Editorial: About the Inspiration
Excerpt from the editorial:
Now about Jack and Ennis. What can I say? I love them. Annie Proulx, Ang Lee, Heath Ledger and Jack Gyllenhaal made me love them, and all credit goes to these magnificently gifted people for creating their world. The movie Brokeback Mountain broke my heart. Since you're reading this, I'm guessing it broke yours, too. I'm an optimist, though, and couldn't accept Jack's death and Ennis's devastation.The only way I knew to get myself out of the deep and genuine depression I endured was to write. So I did. I now view the movie as just one of the many alternate universes about the lives of Jack and Ennis.
From the Editorial: About the Art
And now about the art, starting with the cover! Hey, how many of you gasped when you saw it? This is the work of Suzan Lovett, renowned in many fandoms for her art. I think she’s done a wonderful job.
The interior artwork in the zine is the work of Shelley Butler, Nassima, Mobody, and Virginia Sky. Thanks so much to these talented women! I own Shelley’s gorgeous collage because it was presented to me by a dear friend as an early Christmas gift, and I look at it on my wall — and sigh in pleasure — every day. Nassima drew her color portrait and actually gave it to me, for which I cannot thank her enough! Let me tell you, the original is even more breathtakingly beautiful. And the detail on her Stampede Saloon work is amazing. Mobody’s CGA work is the result of a conversation at the BBM August BBQ, and her vision matches mine. I'm so glad to see that one night in the Holiday Inn illustrated. And I love that Ennis hand! I asked Virginia to see if she could create some CGA for the zine, explicit please. Oh, my goodness! I practically swallowed my tongue (just like Ennis does in chapter seven while playing pool) when I saw these. I couldn’t have asked for better! Or more explicit....
Virginia has outdone herself. For goodness sakes, don’t open the zine in public!
From the Editorial: About the Creative Process and Platform
At first, the response to the story as I posted it on Live Journal puzzled me, even overwhelmed me. Whoa! Instant feedback! That was a new phenomenon! I honestly did not know how to reply to those who so generously provided comments, but I tried. After awhile I think the readers began to get to know me, and I began to get to know the readers, and I must say that I felt part of a warm and loving community. I cannot begin to express my gratitude for the kindness, the big hardheartedness of so many wonderful people! The give and take between readers and me bore fruit in many ways; I can honestly say that readers played a role in how I viewed many aspects of the characters. The plot line I had in mind from the beginning did not waver, but I was able to explore additional subtleties because various kind souls opened my eyes to the possibilities.
Chapters
There are twenty-two chapters and an epilogue.
- You Best Be There (1)
- Pine Creek (7)
- On the Prairie (11)
- Bein' True (17)
- A Bend in His Pride (21)
- Long Time Comin' (29)
- Date Night (33)
- The Eyes o' the World (42)
- Spotlight (49)
- Conversations in Purgatory (55)
- Wild Card (59)
- Listen t'Hear (79)
- Lookin' for What's Real (86)
- Playin' With Matches (96)
- Just One Night (105)
- Road Trip (114)
- Road Kill (131)
- Careful Can't Go Far Enough (141)
- Girls 'n Their Ways (151)
- A Cool Wind Risin' (161)
- Island (165)
- Made Good (174)
- It's You (191)
Sample Interior
"Love Growin'" by Shelley Butler
Fan Comments
One of the things I remember I liked so well about FoN, was the sensitive and perceptive yet understated way it described the loving close relationship between Ennis and Junior - the slow, tentative moves in the direction of including Jack more directly in their little circle and in their connection over the long miles. Junior had just incidentally stumbled into having her first phone conversation with Jack ("Mr. Twist") when the fic had to break off.
I remember I used to make up my own mini-fics about the continuance of FoN. What was going on with the mysterious car mileage drainage and Jack's dreadful boss? When and how would Jack finally come out to his son and ex-wife? How would Ennis learn what kind of Star Trek fics Betty-Jo really was writing? What new bumps in the road and related opportunities for growth would there be in the J/E relationship? When would Jack and Junior actually meet, and how would the meeting go? Might the girls eventually travel down during some holiday to visit their dad and his partner? Etc Etc. (The "etc" includes: What new sexy makin' love scenes did Jenna have up her sleeve for J&E?) [4]
I think Somebody New is truly brilliant. The beginning sections with Ennis going through such intense emotional turmoil are so well written and well considered. And, I do agree that she has a really subtle and nuanced understanding of Brokeback Mountain... which, seems particularly essential for fanfic to come out well. I've read Somebody New twice and would gladly read it again at some point. I always feel that this is the story to show someone who might be skeptical of fanfic in the hopes of persuading them to give fanfic a try, this story really is so strong.[5]
I am rereading "Somebody New" for the 3rd time I think. One of my favorite Fan-fic's because it's so believable. I am finding Little things in it I missed before, like when they go horseback riding and the horses are spooked as they come up to a gully/drainage ditch. Jack says something along the lines of horses having a long memory and they may still be spooked by something that occurred there long ago. So Jack and Ennis dismount and walk the horses through the gully and the remount and continue. Well I never caught that little moment before, it's referencing Earl in the ditch. It's Ennis that spooked by something that happened long ago, but here in the story he has Jack to walk him across to the other side and continue their lives. Dores anyone have the sequel they can send me? Please? I'd love to read it.[6]
References
- ^ FanFiction.Net: Brokeback Mountain Fanfiction, more than 400 stories. (Accessed 13 February 2010)
- ^ The Wranglers of Brokeback Mountain, active Brokeback Mountain community with more than 2000 members. (Accessed 13 February 2010)
- ^ Brokeback Fanfic Blog: Somebody New, 02 May 2007. (Accessed 13 February 2010)
- ^ a 2009 comment, not linked, see talk page
- ^ a 2009 comment, not linked, see talk page
- ^ a 2009 comment, not linked, see talk page