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Huge congrats to Grief Counseling and Rea for being our Scoobies of the Month! Please see below for their fandom history and answers to our monthly questions. We really enjoyed reading them!

September 2022 Commenter of the Month, Rea:

How did you come to watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer?

I don't really remember how I came to watch Buffy. It started airing in the UK in 1998, when I was 10. I know I would watch it, Wednesdays at 6pm on BBC2, but I only actually remember watching the episode Scared by Death - because I was indeed scared by Death. Then I moved to France and it aired much later there - 11pm or midnight. I didn't really like watching series I was already familiar with on TV in France as everything is dubbed and the voices are all wrong. So I stopped watching for a couple of years. Once the DVD boxsets were released, I got into the Buffy again and watched series 1-6 multiple times over. Since then, I've watched sporadically, using starting again at S1 and making my way through to S4 or 5 once every few years. My attention span can be pretty bad, which is why I don't often make it past S5. 

When and why did you decide to read fanfiction for the show?

Late last year, I started another rewatch of Buffy. By the time the DVDs of S7 were available in France there had been ample time for me to read spoilers on how the series ends. And so I never got to the end of the Buffy as I knew S7 wasn't rated very highly and, more importantly, that Spike dies in the final showdown. Teen-me wasn't particularly interested in watching that and adult-me never got over teen-me's gut feeling. This time, however, I was going to get to the end of it all. So I grabbed a couple of yarn cakes, got crafting, and had the whole of Buffy play through in the background. 

When it ended, I wasn't ready to let go. I was... bereft? I felt incomplete, hollow, and wanted more.

I tried Angel but I couldn't get into it. I tried looking into the comics but they're crazy expensive. I tried scrolling through the Buffy subreddit and figured out pretty quickly that it's not a very nice place. The subreddit did, however, set me on the path of fanfiction. So I set off down that path and haven't looked back since. 

I've been reading fanfic for around six months now, and have read more in those six months than in the past couple of years combined.

Why do you love Spike and Buffy?

From the moment he arrives on the scene in S2, Spike dominates every scene he's in. He exudes raw sex appeal and hormonal teen-me never stood a chance; I was a goner. It helps that Spike has the most interesting and complicated story arc over the whole series. He is a fascinating character and that draws me to him. Also, I love his dark humour.

Buffy is a fabulous main character for the series. She's wicked sharp beneath her ditzy exterior. She's driven, determined to do what she thinks is best, but she's also compassionate and always trying to help. No matter what life is throwing at her, she's always doing her best and if she goes down, she goes down fighting. For teen girls, Buffy is a fabulous role model. 

And together? They are magnetic. Their chemistry is visceral, it's through the roof, and it makes for very compelling watching.

What words of advice would you give other fans who comment or are considering maybe commenting on fanfiction?

Writing is time-consuming and hard work, and writing fanfic for a series that ended more than twenty years ago is a passion project. We're lucky that so many talented authors are writing so many fabulous stories and then making them free for us to read. They deserve recognition. 

When you're reading an older story that's already complete, it's fun for the author to rediscover the story through your reactions to the chapters. When you're reading a WIP, your reactions help the authors stay motivated to keep writing.

Even if you don't have much to say, try to say something. Let the authors know that you're there, that you're reading, and that you're enjoying their work.

Share the love. <3

September 2022 Author of the Month, Grief Counseling

How did you come to watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer?

My sister! She was well-known back in the day on LJ for her LDS Sparkledammerung Twilight parody under the name Stoney321. She wrote tons of fanfic and would talk to me about writing and this show “Buffy”. I missed it while it was airing because I was the same age as the characters on the show and partied every night, so I had no desire to watch TV in my late teens. She literally sat me down on her sofa in my mid-20s and said, “Beth. BETH. There’s this guy named Spike. Just… just wait.” And I did, and was immediately hooked, only to find out my then-boyfriend/now-husband used to adore that show, too! So, we binged that and Angel at the same time—her insisting that I watch everything in the correct airing order.

When and why did you decide to write fanfiction for the show?

I used to write NKOTB fanfic when I was a child, so it’s only natural that this was in my future, haha! I’ve also always written stories. Writing is a huge part of my life. When the BtVS show-binge was almost over, so mid-season 7, I had all these feelings. And, again, my sister was like “Have you heard of Poshcat? What about NautiBitz? Read their stuff.” And holy crap, that was it for me. I busted out my word doc and wrote the dumbest thing on earth and I was so nervous. But it was the community that pulled me in and encouraged me to keep going, so I put most of the influence on the awesome power of fandom.

Why do you love Spike and Buffy?

I think a lot of us can relate to their dynamics. I certainly did. Strip away the supernatural elements, and it really mimicked what was going on with my relationship at the time. My husband had his own “redemption arc” where he completely changed his lifestyle FOR ME, which still blows me away, and he’s my little punk sexpot muscled man. I also killed a lot of vampires. :D

But Buffy and Spike are the perfect story. I love anything that makes you go back and forth on whether you support them or get angry by choices they make, when things are dark and ugly and someone still loves you through it. They’re layered. They’re funny. They aren’t cookie-cutter characters with bland personalities. They’re little onions with pain and challenges to overcome and so, so passionate, and no one roots for them, no one believes in them, but finally they have their Han Solo/Leia “I love you” moment that is so perfect, not sappy, not pandering, just perfect.

Which three fanfics that you’ve written are your favorite? Why are they your favorite?

I cannot answer this question without banging my head against a wall in frustration. I have so many different genres of fiction that it’s hard for me to pick three. My opinion changes weekly! I’m very hard on myself and often have days where I think all of it is trash. I will say that I’m very proud of my one-shot The Longest Journey because it gives me all the post-series feels and is my personal Ode to the Spuffy OTP. I adored writing Milkshakes and Motorcycles, but I don’t think it’s my best... And I have more stories that I haven’t uploaded that I adore, too. I love comedy, I love angst, I love romance, smutty-smut-smut, and horror. I try to challenge myself to try new styles, genres and themes. I love that anyone wants to read them at all. If someone wants to know specific genres, I could probably choose them better.

What words of advice would you give other fans who write or want to write fanfiction?

Don’t write for anyone other than yourself. Don’t write for reviews. Don’t write for stats. Write because it’s something you need to get out of you, no matter how sloppy it might come out. And if you’re new to writing, get a beta. Don’t ask your best friend to read something. They will never be honest with you; they will never push you to be better. If cheerleading is what you need, then ask the BFF. But if you want to improve, get someone that will not only fix grammar but will tell you how to be a better writer. Ask another author you respect to give honest crit. That was crucial for me in my early days. I was doing so many things that make me cringe now (which is why my old stories are getting such heavy edits) but I had someone tell me very honestly where I was failing and though it stung to hear, in the end, it made me try harder. Take criticism with grace. Everyone has an opinion. Some are right, some are very wrong. But always consider that they’re telling you something that might push you to be a better writer. And most importantly, AUTO-SAVE YOUR STORIES. OMG, please, please do that. I have lost so many chapters because I lost power, or my computer shut down, and I didn’t save. Save, save, save. And if comments are what you’re after, then you better be leaving some for your fellow authors. 😊 Karma is real!



--sandy_s, Dusty, Megan, GillO, Chelle on 09/03/22 08:03 am 10 Comments

Comments

So exciting to have new SoM to learn more about! @ Grief Counseling - this! "And if comments are what you’re after, then you better be leaving some for your fellow author"

-- Slaymesoftly on 09/03/22 08:22 am

It's a symbiotic relationship, the author and the reader. No one owes anyone anything, but if you're hell-bent on getting reviews, then I guess give back to the community? I hope that doesn't sound harsh. I just think that a writer shouldn't write solely for the hit count. It should be because you love writing, and reviews are a wonderful bonus. :)

-- Grief Counseling on 09/03/22 09:46 am

I had no idea you were related to Stoney321! If she's the person I think she is I sent a whole batch of European coins to her son who was very keen on such things at the time.

I love this interview feature, which was totally not my brainwave - I am frequently in awe of my fellow-admins. And agreed about leaving comments. In my early LJ days I didn't get it - and felt shy about intruding my opinions, but now I try to leave something on everything I read, even if it's simply one of our wonderful emojis.

 

airkiss

-- on 09/03/22 10:48 am
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"Even if you don't have much to say, try to say something. Let the authors know that you're there, that you're reading, and that you're enjoying their work."

It took me writing my own stories to realize this. It's so true, though. The slightest sign of life out there is a huge creative motivator when you're writing!

I just love reading these. Thanks for taking the time to write such thorough responses! thanks

 

-- Dusty on 09/03/22 10:50 am

OMG!! You were part of the Great Coin Exchange?! That’s so lovely! Yes, that’s the same Stoney! Awww that makes me smile

-- Grief Counseling on 09/03/22 10:51 am

I don't think it sounds harsh at all!  Totally agree that you should be writing first and foremost or yourself. Reviews from readers who like it are icing on the cake, IMHO. But everyone likes icing, so if you like it, you should be willing to spread it around. :)

-- Slaymesoftly on 09/03/22 11:25 am

These are so fun to read! I totally agree with Rea's points on why Buffy and Spike are so awesome - perfectly well said. And I always love to hear about the viewing history of fans who experienced the show in other countries - so cool! Grief Counseling is of course such an awesome writer and it's great to have her stories here. And so cute - didn't know that your husband had his own little redemption arc for your sake - aww!

-- bruskiboo on 09/03/22 11:50 am

Yes, @GC, I had a whole load of old (pre-Euro) European coins as well as British coins, so I sent him a batch, with explanations of what each was for. I hope he's doing OK now.

-- on 09/03/22 02:58 pm
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Amazing interviews! hearteyes

Thank you Rea and Grief Counseling for sharing your wisdom here, and for sharing your work and comments on SAD. 💕

-- VeroNyxK84 on 09/04/22 01:02 am

I love these interviews and getting to know these awesome people even more! Congrats GC and Rea!

-- scratchmeout on 09/08/22 09:05 am