It's crazy that it's already June! We're excited to honor these two members! 

First up, we have our Author of the Month: lilacsandorangeblossoms

Tell us how you got into Buffy the show and Buffy fanfic.

I can’t remember the first time I got into the show but I remember the second time I really got into the show it was in 2023. Our puppy Hazel and she would not stop barking. I was trying anything to get her to be quiet, she didn’t like Gilmore girls which is our other dog’s favorite show. I was flipping through the channels and saw Buffy was on. I clicked on it and Hazel was fascinated. She stopped barking and laid down. I got into Buffy the second time because it makes my dog stop barking. And now if we are watching Buffy and I’m not in the room when it comes back for commercial she barks to tell me it’s back on. 

I got into writing Buffy because as I was falling asleep one night I had a thought about Dawn and Connor and how they would make such a cute couple. And then I started thinking about my favorite couple Buffy and Spike and I couldn’t stop coming up with ideas for them.

Where do you find inspiration for your stories?

Everywhere,  Listening to the lyrics of a song I think of Spuffy. I want Spuffy to do something and I think of a story to go around that idea. Usually I’m watching the show and I go hmmm Spuffy should be together in this season or what if she was pregnant.

Who is your favorite character to write and why?

Spike, I love using his pet names for Buffy or for Dawn. How Spike can go from the sweetest I'm with my girl I love her so much to I just killed that guy or demon. There are so many sides to Spike. He is a poet, lover, demon and he is worldly. 

Which story of yours are you most proud of and which was the hardest to write?

The story I’m most proud of is Ready for it? I hadn’t read many stories where Buffy gets turned into a vampire before she moves to Sunnydale and she is on Spike’s side when they go to Sunnydale. Buffy’s new family is Spike, Dru and Darla. It was the first story I posted on SAD. It pushed me out of my comfort zone having a smut scene almost every chapter and the first time I wrote kink in this instance daddy kink. Buffy calls Spike daddy. 

The hardest to write is Cherish the day. There is a lot of lore in that story. And it spans from 1880 to now. Buffy was cursed to die on her 27th birthday and then she comes back but because she was with William when the curse was cast he was sucked into the curse too. He dies of a broken heart every time. I still need to figure out how Buffy comes back every time. 

As a writer, what would you have changed on the show and why?

I would have had Buffy tell Spike she loves him earlier so we could see Buffy and Spike mutually in love with each other and being happy. Buffy and Spike going on dates, patrolling together, coming home and cuddling in her bed or movie nights with Dawn with Spuffy cuddling on the couch. Holding hands and being so incredibly in love with each other. 

We absolutely agree with you on what you would have changed! How great would that have been? YOU ARE AMAZING! Also, your dog sounds like perfection!

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Next up is our Commenter of the Month: Slaymesoftly

Tell us how you got into Buffy the show and Buffy fanfic.

Oh wow, well I got into the show immediately, but for the first two years had to catch it in bits and pieces when I was somewhere with cable. Then we got better TV, and I could watch in real time while I caught up on what I'd missed in reruns. I got into fanfic because I fell in love with Spike shortly after he stepped out of the car. (Perhaps a teeny exaggeration, but not much) LOL And I went searching the internet for information about both Spike and James. Which somehow, let me to websites I'd never know existed.... and to fanfic. About Spike. And that was that....

What motivates you to leave comments?

As a writer myself, I know how good it feels that someone has taken the time to tell you they enjoyed your efforts (and what it was they enjoyed about it - which I don't do often enough, but am trying to get better). So, if/when I get into a story, I try to remember to leave something for each chapter. I also try not to get myself into trouble by raving about a first chapter or so, only to find myself losing interest and then feeling like shit if I stop commenting. So, sometimes I wait until I'm sure. But, if I'm reading it, then I obviously like it, so I say so. 

Do you also write or are you strictly a reader?

I do. Although not as prolifically as I did over 20 years ago when I first started. And I've been reading fanfic set in the Buffyverse (including Angel) since sometime before that. Probably shortly after I found it existed.

Were you a lurker before you started leaving comments or did you comment right away?

Oh, definitely a lurker. I had no idea you could or should comment. The first time I commented on a fic was on "Journeys" by Mary on All About Spike. I was just blown away by it, and sent a babbling, gushing, apologetic for bothering her, incoherent message to her. Had/have no idea if she ever saw it or not. I met her in person many years later at a Writer Con, and told her about it. She just laughed. Anyway, eventually I learned about reviews and comments and began to leave more coherent ones where archives made that possible. But for those first couple of years, probably not.

How important is it to receive a reply from the writer when you leave a comment?

As I writer, I think a simple "thank you" shouldn't be beyond anyone's reach; however, I'm not overly bothered by it if/when it doesn't happen. If I'm really into a story with lots of plot lines, I may comment on those, and if I asked a question, I do appreciate an answer. But I try to limit my questions and trust the writer to sort things out. I've had some fun back and forth with a few writers, but I don't expect that all the time.

PS This whole site is made of awesome sauce!

PPS  If a fic is posted more than one place that I read at, I will make an effort to read and comment on SAD. The more the merrier, right?

We think YOU are made of awesome sauce, Slaymesoftly! And we're so happy to have you! You're incredible!

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That's a wrap! We hope you guys are enjoying Wanderlust!
Chelle, Dusty, GriefCounseling, and GetItDone