home * dawn fiction * buffy fiction * graphics * bitterness

No, this isn't an altar to myself; I'm not much on talking about me, and if you're interested in me, my myspace site is on the links page. I just thought I'd have a page to answer some of the questions I've been asked more than others. It's not my intention to offend anyone, but these are just my opinions, not facts at all, so take that into account. And if you have your own question, feel free to email me. A warning, though. Some of these question/answers contain spoilers for my stories.

How do you voice the characters so well?

I don't really believe I have any better characterization than most writers, and the only one I'll accept any talent for is Willow. The only reason I write Willow so well is that I speak almost exactly like her; I'm easily excited and big with hand gestures and random phrases that confuse those around me. With Spike, I actually do my research. Yes, I do have British slang reference sites bookmarked, though I don't use them nearly as much as I used to. And I watch a LOT of Buffy. Insane amounts. I could quote you just about anything, and often correct my friends when they quote things in the wrong way. I'm annoying like that.

How do you write sex scenes?

This question shocked me at first. For one, I think my sex scenes are absolutely horrible. Terrible. And it takes me forever to write them, and I'm always too choosy on the wordings. Some sex scenes I've read are absolutely ruined with grotesque terms for anatomy, and I try to make mine tasteful, yet raunchy at the same time. The only thing I consciously do when writing sex is to try to make the tone of it go along with what's happening in the story; intense fluff, intense anger, whatever might be happening. But I dread writing sex. Always.

Who is your beta?

I had one once, though I honestly don't remember her name, but she only beta'd one story for me, and not even the entire thing. I didn't have a beta until I started writing "Impossible" last year, and I sent those chapters to my sister by email. While she didn't exactly beta them, she did point out stuff to me, and it helped. For "Anna Begins" and "Long Time Gone," I do have a beta, who is also my best friend, so it's nice that she can completely dog me if I suck, lol. But so far, that thankfully hasn't happened.

Why all the soundtracks?

To write, I must have music, and since I'm insane, that music must go right along with what I'm writing. This practice started during my first attempt at writing 'Saved,' and I decided to make a playlist of the songs, to get me in the writing mood. My friends asked for CDs, and I've made soundtracks ever since.

Is Azrael from 'Saved' a Mary Sue?

A thousand worlds of no. I am nothing like this character, nor is she the perfect representation of myself in the Buffyverse. I can't stand Mary Sue stories. Azrael came from the fact that I love angel mythology, and I'm not really talking from a Christian standpoint, as I'm not Christian. I study theology as a past time, and found Azrael interesting, and I made her into a girl, and added the personality of a couple of my closest friends for fun. While she is a major character at the beginning of 'Saved,' the focus of the story is Spike and Buffy.

Is Mara from 'Forever' a Mary Sue?

Again, no. I think Mary Sue fics are pretty obvious. Mara comes in during the third installment of a series, and is in no way a major character. While I will admit I did add a dash of my sarcasm to her nature, all similarities end there. Besides, if I was going to write myself into my own fiction, I wouldn't pair myself with Xander Harris. Please.

Why do you hate Xander?

Hate is such a strong word. I don't hate Xander, I just dislike him. It just seems strange to me that a guy in the middle of so much change barely changes his views at all. He reminds me of a caveman, and usually, I want to hit him. But there have been times I've wanted to give him a big squishy hug, too. I don't try to make Xander out to be the bad guy; he does that himself most of the time. Heck, sometimes I even feel sorry for him, but usually, everything that happens to the guy is his own damn fault. Moving on.

I can't stand Dawn. Can't you pretend she didn't happen?

Why does everyone hate poor Dawnie? I have big Dawn love. Yeah, she's whiny and annoying, and basically the thorn in Buffy's side all through season five. But she's supposed to be! I think Joss wonderfully illustrated how frustrating a younger person can be, especially when one has never been exposed to them for long periods of time. And poor Buffy, believing Dawn's been around for so long. I thought it was absolute genius.

I understand Dawn, while it's clear to me a lot of fans just wish she'd die a horrible death. I love my own sister dearly, and didn't meet her until she was seventeen, and I was in my twenties. So I get the whole Dawn storyline. But even before I met my sister, I loved Dawn. Always have, ever since listening to her thoughts while she wrote in her journal in 'The Real Me.'

I often see questions online, asking why Dawn would sneak out when she knows about vampires, or why Buffy constantly keeps rescuing her. I look at it this way: yes, there's a Hellmouth, and Sunnydale's full of vampires. But Dawn's grown up with these things being normal to her, and when you're pissed off at your sister, what are you going to do but piss her off right back? Vampires be damned. Besides, she knows Buffy's going to save her. If she doesn't, she's SO telling. Haha. I like the normal sibling rivalry going on amidst all the supernatural drama. Call me crazy.

Why do you never write soulless Spike?

It's not my intention to leave soulless Spike out. It's complete coincidence that my online fiction is all set after Spike gets his soul. Most of my ideas stem from after season six, or beyond the entire series. I do, however, have fiction that isn't online yet that is from seasons four and five. It's just not ready to be seen yet. Please be patient. =)

Do you write slash?

No, I don't. I can't. And I can't stand most of it, but I have found some Angel/Spike fiction that was decent, and I can stand to read Angel/Spike slash scenes in Spuffy stories, like in a historical setting. I could see that happening. But Xander/Spike just squicks me out. No offense to anyone.

Ew! Spike and Dawn?!?

I had the exact same reaction when I ran across my first Spawn fic, but thank goodness it was an amazing one. To me at least. You can read it here.

I've read some amazing Spawn fiction, and I completely understand the pairing. Dawn accepts Spike; the fact that he's a vampire doesn't enter into her opinion of him. She judges him by his deeds. Spike's also very immature for someone who's lived so long, and emotionally, I find them to be around the same age. While Spike and Buffy are my OTP (lol), there's an understanding between Spike and Dawn that I wanted to explore, and when I'm tired of dueling it out Spuffy-wise, I take a vacation. If you don't like it, I completely understand; don't read it.

My Favorite Fic Of All Time

"The Waiting Season" and "Waking The Dead" by Annie Sewell-Jennings

"A Raising In The Sun" , "Necessary Evils" , and "A Parliament of Monsters" by Barb C. I'm not sure if the last installment will be finished, but it's worth the read even if it isn't.

"The Down Below" by Devil Piglet. This story is about Spike and Dawn, but not a pairing of the two.

"Black Satin Voices" by Eurydice

"Charms of the Clarion" by Eurydice

"Promise of Frost" by Eurydice

More to come...