Oblique Strategies

[yellowb1]

Many thanks to sandy_s for the thoughtful beta!

In lieu of starting with an actual plot, I used Oblique Strategies to provide a prompt every time I didn’t know what happened next … I’d say the result is more plot-like than one might expect. Prompts listed at the end, though some of their initially merely shakey relevance has been whittled away to

Comments

[thenewbuzwuzz]

How fun! I like your method of achieving plot!! *g* I might try Oblique Strategies in a more conventional form later (have them give me writing advice :D) - thanks for the inspiration. <3

[yellowb1]

Aww, thank you Buzz! <3

Yes, the palmist conveniently got rid of several prompts for me. Some of these actually apply to the next installment (which may not come out until the next Seasonal Spuffy). And I think Honor Thy Error is most clearly evident in the fact I've combined Carnival in some South American country with Coney Island with no explanation whatsoever... but hey, IT'S THE THEME.

[thenewbuzwuzz]

Heh, right, I noticed that - briefly - and then I was, like, ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[thenewbuzwuzz]

"the next installment (which may not come out until the next Seasonal Spuffy)"
So there's some chance that maybe it will come out before then? :) Where would it appear - Elysian Fields, I assume? (I like to put a note in the index post so people know where to follow the WIPs.)

[nmcil12]

NICE - I Love This hope you get more completed, even better hope you take this into a much longer story after this round.
One of my favorite of all sections - you connected with so much of their terrible history and so much of the good from the comic book in San Francisco seasons.

Excerpt:
But she’d caught him eyeing the more extravagant costumes when they were getting outfitted, and she’d been unable to stop the thought from flitting through her mind that skant feathers and a bedazzled bikini might unlock a different plan. A breathless, tingly plan -- well. Spike had never needed such enticements, and it was an unworthy thought anyway now that they’d graduated to consent and clarity; so she’d resolutely stuffed it down into the file of bad-Buffy thoughts, not to be thought again.

I was so disappointed with the "friends only" path that the ending of the Dark Horse comic books chose.

[yellowb1]

Thanks, nmcil! It was such a fun theme, I couldn't resist.

[slaymesoftly]

Oh Wow! And you've just left it there? Thanks so much for participating - this is a great beginning!

(PS - One of my most fun to write and still semi-favorite fics is one I did where almost every chapter was based on that week's prompt at Taming the Muse, so I'm very enthused about your process here.)

[yellowb1]

Oh, how cool! Which fit is that, SMS? Prompts are fun, but I have to say some of these were a struggle.

Thanks so much for commenting!

<3

[slaymesoftly]

It is Aftermath. Pretty much every chapter from the beginning was based on or included a prompt from Taming. Sometimes it's pretty obvious that a phrase or word has been gratuitously inserted into the chapter, but most of it really just guided the plot.

[fra_apples]

Wow! I'm definitely intrigued over here. And that last section with the mirror was properly creepy - both Spike appearing in the mirrors, and disappearing at the end. Aside from that, I just love the feel that you gave to the story, and the way you told about their dancing and the parade in general. You, lady, have a wonderful way with words.
Thanks for sharing!

[flowspuffy]

Beautiful depiction of their sword fight at the beginning. I really loved that. And it took us right into the theme. I also loved the short trip to the fortune telle`'s tent. There was some bittersweet humour in it "You're driven by emotions." "That so?".

But you really had me gasp when Spike suddenly showed in the mirrors ... and then ... not. Whoa. Great start for a story but even better ending for a chapter. So, now I am hanging on the edge of my seat until next Seasonal Spuffy ...?

flow