Essay for Buffyversemeta community

[moscow_watcher]

Written for Buffyversemeta metathon

Title: Ten Years of Buffy and Spike
Summary: Spuffy fanfiction is invariably popular. Why?
Spoilers: All BtVS seasons.
Word count: around 1200
Notes: Thanks for latestartercds for beta work. I'd be happy to hear from other fans, whether they agree or disagree. Usually I post within Spuffy community and share my thoughts with like-minded

Comments

[kcarolj65]

Nice exploration of the B/S phenomenon and its continuing viability. I think one of the reasons it has survived so long in fandom is that although there are the less-than-elegant stories and character treatments, there are also some truly outstanding ones. Some of the best writing I've ever read (and I was an English major, back in the day) has been in this fandom.

Not that I'm biased or anything. *wink*

Thanks for this celebration of why we love our Spuffy and always will.

[moscow_watcher]

Thanks for kind words. I love writing about Buffy and Spike but I can't get rid of the impression that I only scratched the surface. :)

[elisi]

This is brilliant! *puts in memories*

And yes I agree with everything - esp. that Spuffy is all about the journey. ::points to icon::

I think that's the main difference from B/A - that ship is all about the destination. Or rather it *is* its destination. Does that make sense? Anyway I have a WIP w. a Spuffy scene that needs work... ;)

[moscow_watcher]

*blushes* Thanks!

B/A - that ship is all about the destination. Or rather it *is* its destination

I remember, towards the ending of the show BAers organized a lot of campaigns for BA reunion. They put expensive ads in magazines, sent cookies to Joss and other writers. They even alerted organizations that worked with rape victims and encouraged them to write anti-Spuffy letters to ME. They called themselves "BA warriors" and they fought hard. While Spuffies prefered to write fanfiction. Of course online they snapped back at people who did Spuffy-bashing campaigns, but I can't remember a single case of Spuffies mounting a "give me a happy Spuffy ending" campaign or, God forbid, an anti-BA campaign.

In Chosen, Joss disturbed enough both shipper groups to produce amazing fanfics. :) Just today I read a great BA fic, Time lapse written by thedeadlyhook.

I have a WIP w. a Spuffy scene that needs work... ;)

*wags her tail* :)

[elisi]

Interesting essay

I actually do want to point out that there was a anti B/A campaign towards the beginning of Angel season 5.I don't know how big they actually got but I did see the campaign for it and some promotion of it over at Support Spike back in the day.

Basically it came about due to all the pro Bangel talk that was going on from the end of season 7 to the point Sarah Michelle Gellar backed out of the 100th episode of Angel from Mutant Enemy in the media.The campaign was basically an effort to keep SMG off Angel for fear of more Bangel when they were talking about her doing some episodes and the other part of the campaign was to move Angel on.

The writers also knew of it.David Fury at the Wolfram & Hart Posting Board party told a group that they were aware of this campaign and weren't impressed by it.

[moscow_watcher]

Hey, Buffyversefantic! I'm glad you find my essay interesting

[slaymesoftly]

A very interesting essay on what brings us to the fandom. I found nothing to argue with. Things that struck me as so true: "they defy the rules" - Buffy has been a successful slayer because she is so inventive and not tied down by the Council's rules/training; Spike is not your typical vampire and never has been. . "Spuffy is about journey". Oh, so true. All those intricate and imaginative plots all have one final aim - to put these two star-crossed lovers into a situation that allows them to be together (or gives a suitably angst-ridden reason why they never will.lol) And that the most common plot bunny is "take two". Yes! We all want to "fix" them. We want to make it work. Great observations on why so many people remain fixated on these two characters so many years after the "official" version of their story has ended.

[moscow_watcher]

Thanks, love.

Back in 2003 I've been sure that I'd move on from BtVS and Spuffy very quickly. I never had been fan of any TV show before and I never shipped a couple. But here I am, four years later, reading fanfiction, trying to write, discussing my favorite characters. I don't think it will change. Sometimes I read fics with other pairings, but they don't have the same appeal for me, even when they're masterfully written.

[slaymesoftly]

"I never had been fan of any TV show before and I never shipped a couple. But here I am, four years later, reading fanfiction, trying to write, discussing my favorite characters. I don't think it will change. Sometimes I read fics with other pairings, but they don't have the same appeal for me, even when they're masterfully written."

OMG, yes!

Are you sure we weren't separated at birth? LOL

[beloved4always]

well said and I agree with it all. For me, it wraps up something like this - well written Spike & Buffy fic makes my heart sing like no other fiction ever has. Long Live Spuffy fic! thanks so much for posting this meta.

[moscow_watcher]

well written Spike & Buffy fic makes my heart sing

Oh, yes! There is something magic when you read a good fic and realise that we, fans, may change the canon and twist it our way!

[frelling_tralk]

Wonderful essay!

[moscow_watcher]

Thanks, Frell! Spuffy is the subject I can't stop talking... :)

I love your avi!

[frelling_tralk]

Made by toxxxicgirl :) Is it okay for me to link your essay at my LJ?

[moscow_watcher]

Is it okay for me to link your essay at my LJ?

I'll be flattered!