[rec] Dawn fanfiction (1/2)
So I needed to compile the fic that I've decided to use in my thesis anyway, so I figured while I'm working on that I might as well do it here as well so that my flist can know the lovely things I've been reading - and also talk to me about their favorites in the comments! (I am so the least subtle person on the planet I'm sure.)
These are in no particular order whatsoever and you should obviously not judge me according to my poor organizational skills.
Also most of them are going to deal with Dawn's Key-ness in some way as that is the topic of my thesis, so yay!
That said, the first four fics on this list are of special importance because I used them in my presentation at Slayage: " Let’s Talk about Writing: How the Buffyverse and Fandom Work to Create a More Self-Aware Conversation Between Writers and Their Form"
Kindred Spirits by nwhepcat is a story in which Ethan Raine uses BDSM techniques to help Dawn access her memories prior to the monks’ spell, revealing a past life as a Hell-God. This fic will always be at the very top of my Dawn-recs. It is a must-read for anyone who is interested in Dawn's development. nwhepcat does a marvelous job of making you question what we know about Dawn's appearance in the narrative - as well as her relationships with other characters. Her interrogation of Dawn's relationship with Giles is more meta than fiction, but at the same time never, ever pulls you out of the Universe she has pulled you into. Absolutely brilliant and the cornerstone of my research.
Made to Order by deird1 Dawn reflects on her relationship with Tara after her death
Dusk over Pompeii by aadler Buffy and Xander (lovers in this AU) are running from shift lines that re-write their reality to make way for Dawn
Return of the Key by curiouswombat LotR/BtVS crossover. And that's all you get. Brilliantly written and executed - you believe while reading that this version of Dawn is possible.
The Day Boy and the Night Girl by ScheherazadeBet Andrew/Dawn in Italy, based on the myth of Cupid and Psyche. Currently unfinished (and doesn't look to be completed anytime soon) - which is a major source of pain in my life. Especial attention is paid to Dawn's Key-ness and tricks of memory. Which we all know I love.
Umad Learns Sumerian by annakovsky a delightful and spot-on post-S6 character study (discussion of translation)
Maybe, Somewhere by clockwork_hart1 another equally heartbreaking look at Dawn's relationship with Tara post-Seeing Red
Down Memory Lane by snickfic Dawn/Faith - an established-relationship fic that deals with Key-memories
The Key by aaronlisa Dawn/Tara - post-The Gift with discussion of Dawn's true age (and also cuddles)
Daisies by spike_1790 (Dawn/thievery) everyone has a talent (repeated images of Dawn being ignored/forgotten)
damned if you don't by fluffyfrolicker Dawn(/Spike) - lovely character-study of Dawn's relationship with herself and her sister's boyfriend post-The Gift
russian roulette by youcallitwinter Dawn/Spike - aching fic about the summer post-The Gift; mostly here for the lines about Dawn-as-made/ageless and also because like the one above - it doesn't sugar-coat the relationship the way many shippers do. I like my Dawn dark and my Dawn/Spike darker.
52 moments that never happened to Dawn (and one that probably will) by nwhepcat Dawn, pre-The Real Me; takes a look at where Dawn was during some highlights of S1-4 (including a run-in with my favorite villain, Ford).
Ten Things that Never Happened in the BtVS Fandom by Booster absolutely brilliant look at fandom's reactions to Dawn durning S1-4; including fake message boards and fanfic. Totally a delight and a seriously thrilling find!
Her Gift by lily_lovely Dawn thinks about death; character-study
I Broke It by aurey09 this drabble packs a big punch esp w/r/t the monk's spell
Enchanted Locks by lusciousspike Dawn, Willow - post-The Gift; memories of Buffy (this isn't very helpful to me, but is a delightful one-off and is excellent character work for both ladies; especially as most writers de-emphasize Willow's life in Dawn's life during that fateful summer)
Dawn of the Dead by beer_good_foamy Dawn is a vampire. Hilarity ensues. (One of those that probably won't make it into my thesis except as maybe a post-script because I am focusing primarily on Key-ness; but it's so lovely everyone should read it and love it.)
She Always Wanted to be Harriet the Spy by ubific Dawn, Tara; their relationship plus cute Harriet bits and discussion of outsiders
The Fall of Astraea by snowpuppies Dawn/OMCs, Dawn/Janice - terribly dark, beautifully written and executed S6 fic; specifically deals with the possibility of abuse that Dawn copes with through addiction and self-harm. (Heed the warnings if you end up clicking the link)
Abort, Retry, Fail by mabus101 hilarious ficlet about the Key-spell and the monks being basically inept
Circles by idyll Dawn, Angel - post-Chosen; one-shot dealing with immortality and blurring memories
Toppings by snickfic Dawn, Anya, Spike - post-The Gift; babysitting
Fin Amour by angearia Spike/Buffy - is technically not so much of a Dawn-centric fic (except it is), but is a lovely example of how the writers/monks could have written things differently and is one of my favorites.
Now I don't know if I'm going to make this into two posts or just keep adding to this one. (And also since we are only allowed one sticky post could someone explain to me how to project-date an entry that actually appears on my lj because every time I try, it stays hidden until the date of the post. Which is of no hope to anyone, but I'd love this to act like a sticky that I can add to and stays at the top for the time being.)
(Why did I post now instead of keeping it as a draft until I am finished? because I have been perilously unproductive and uncommunicative so I wanted to prove that (a) I am capable of productivity and (b) that I'm alive)
These are in no particular order whatsoever and you should obviously not judge me according to my poor organizational skills.
Also most of them are going to deal with Dawn's Key-ness in some way as that is the topic of my thesis, so yay!
That said, the first four fics on this list are of special importance because I used them in my presentation at Slayage: " Let’s Talk about Writing: How the Buffyverse and Fandom Work to Create a More Self-Aware Conversation Between Writers and Their Form"
Kindred Spirits by nwhepcat is a story in which Ethan Raine uses BDSM techniques to help Dawn access her memories prior to the monks’ spell, revealing a past life as a Hell-God. This fic will always be at the very top of my Dawn-recs. It is a must-read for anyone who is interested in Dawn's development. nwhepcat does a marvelous job of making you question what we know about Dawn's appearance in the narrative - as well as her relationships with other characters. Her interrogation of Dawn's relationship with Giles is more meta than fiction, but at the same time never, ever pulls you out of the Universe she has pulled you into. Absolutely brilliant and the cornerstone of my research.
Made to Order by deird1 Dawn reflects on her relationship with Tara after her death
Dusk over Pompeii by aadler Buffy and Xander (lovers in this AU) are running from shift lines that re-write their reality to make way for Dawn
Return of the Key by curiouswombat LotR/BtVS crossover. And that's all you get. Brilliantly written and executed - you believe while reading that this version of Dawn is possible.
The Day Boy and the Night Girl by ScheherazadeBet Andrew/Dawn in Italy, based on the myth of Cupid and Psyche. Currently unfinished (and doesn't look to be completed anytime soon) - which is a major source of pain in my life. Especial attention is paid to Dawn's Key-ness and tricks of memory. Which we all know I love.
Umad Learns Sumerian by annakovsky a delightful and spot-on post-S6 character study (discussion of translation)
Maybe, Somewhere by clockwork_hart1 another equally heartbreaking look at Dawn's relationship with Tara post-Seeing Red
Down Memory Lane by snickfic Dawn/Faith - an established-relationship fic that deals with Key-memories
The Key by aaronlisa Dawn/Tara - post-The Gift with discussion of Dawn's true age (and also cuddles)
Daisies by spike_1790 (Dawn/thievery) everyone has a talent (repeated images of Dawn being ignored/forgotten)
damned if you don't by fluffyfrolicker Dawn(/Spike) - lovely character-study of Dawn's relationship with herself and her sister's boyfriend post-The Gift
russian roulette by youcallitwinter Dawn/Spike - aching fic about the summer post-The Gift; mostly here for the lines about Dawn-as-made/ageless and also because like the one above - it doesn't sugar-coat the relationship the way many shippers do. I like my Dawn dark and my Dawn/Spike darker.
52 moments that never happened to Dawn (and one that probably will) by nwhepcat Dawn, pre-The Real Me; takes a look at where Dawn was during some highlights of S1-4 (including a run-in with my favorite villain, Ford).
Ten Things that Never Happened in the BtVS Fandom by Booster absolutely brilliant look at fandom's reactions to Dawn durning S1-4; including fake message boards and fanfic. Totally a delight and a seriously thrilling find!
Her Gift by lily_lovely Dawn thinks about death; character-study
I Broke It by aurey09 this drabble packs a big punch esp w/r/t the monk's spell
Enchanted Locks by lusciousspike Dawn, Willow - post-The Gift; memories of Buffy (this isn't very helpful to me, but is a delightful one-off and is excellent character work for both ladies; especially as most writers de-emphasize Willow's life in Dawn's life during that fateful summer)
Dawn of the Dead by beer_good_foamy Dawn is a vampire. Hilarity ensues. (One of those that probably won't make it into my thesis except as maybe a post-script because I am focusing primarily on Key-ness; but it's so lovely everyone should read it and love it.)
She Always Wanted to be Harriet the Spy by ubific Dawn, Tara; their relationship plus cute Harriet bits and discussion of outsiders
The Fall of Astraea by snowpuppies Dawn/OMCs, Dawn/Janice - terribly dark, beautifully written and executed S6 fic; specifically deals with the possibility of abuse that Dawn copes with through addiction and self-harm. (Heed the warnings if you end up clicking the link)
Abort, Retry, Fail by mabus101 hilarious ficlet about the Key-spell and the monks being basically inept
Circles by idyll Dawn, Angel - post-Chosen; one-shot dealing with immortality and blurring memories
Toppings by snickfic Dawn, Anya, Spike - post-The Gift; babysitting
Fin Amour by angearia Spike/Buffy - is technically not so much of a Dawn-centric fic (except it is), but is a lovely example of how the writers/monks could have written things differently and is one of my favorites.
Now I don't know if I'm going to make this into two posts or just keep adding to this one. (And also since we are only allowed one sticky post could someone explain to me how to project-date an entry that actually appears on my lj because every time I try, it stays hidden until the date of the post. Which is of no hope to anyone, but I'd love this to act like a sticky that I can add to and stays at the top for the time being.)
(Why did I post now instead of keeping it as a draft until I am finished? because I have been perilously unproductive and uncommunicative so I wanted to prove that (a) I am capable of productivity and (b) that I'm alive)