Hello Btvs/Angel fans. How do you feel about fanfiction?

[JimmyHall]

I love fanfiction. I've written a few myself. A true blood one. A mass effect one. Dragon Ball Z. Now I am going to try my hand at a Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Layer) fanfic. According to a fellow fanfic writer on archive of our own, Buffy fans will go after fanfic writers with a fiery justice and rip us to shreds. I don't think that is true at all. I've read reviews on numerous BTVS fics to get an idea of the fanbase on fanfiction.net. The majority are some version of "I like this."

Buffy fics seem to be a majority of Buffy/Spike. Of course Xander gets some spotlight in more than one fic I've read. I even got a crossover fic in my favorites where Xander becomes Power Girl and ends up in a Marvel universe. Me personally I hunt for femslash. It's a preference but I will read male/female fics and the occasional slash fic. Although that only happens if it's an anime fic I'm looking up like Naruto/Haku. I also read a Halloween Buffy fic where Xander lost a bet and had to dress up as the original Pink Power Ranger from Mighty Morphin. It was okay.. but Buffy's costume.. ya know the one that turned her into that Lady or whatever.. actually transformed her into one of Angelus's victims. Oh what fun. My preferred reading when it comes to Buffy fics are Buffy/Faith. Buffy/Willow. Faith/Willow. Willow/Tara. Dawn/Faith. I even found a Dawn/Satsu/Faith fic. Heh.. Buffy catches them and it's pretty funny. Plus there is a few Willow/Drusilla ones out there. Mostly oneshots. But there are two decent length fics I know of. One hasn't been updated since ... 2004 though.

I'm babbling. I guess I'm channeling Willow eh? She is my favorite character after all.

My ideas are a little tamer then genderbending Xander into the pornstar version of Supergirl. No offense to Power Girl... but.. Karen Starr? ... I've also read that the original guy to draw her made her chest bigger in each comic and the higher ups literally didn't notice. I doubt if that's true but.. -shrug-

The trouble I face is when trying to decide on which one to do. How close do I stay to canon. Do I add characters.. kill characters. That sort of thing.

I like doing ideas I've never seen before or if I have seen them it wasn't done like what I want to do. The fic that finally inspired me to give it a shot is

A Half-Vampire and Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Welcome to the Hellmouth)

By: Just One Face in the Crowd

A female dhampir OC. It's really good and very long. Hasn't been updated in over a year. I hope the author is alive and well though, and simply got bored of writing it. Or lost inspiration.

Basically the ideas I've had buzzing in my head are these.

1. A slaypire. I find it an interesting idea and I'm surprised it hasn't been done a lot. I have the only one I know of in my favorites on fanfiction.net. I currently have two different ideas for this particular genre I guess you could call it. A young teen during the age of the vikings becomes the slayer and doesn't know anything about vampires since the watcher council couldn't find her until she had already gotten to 17 or 18 (haven't decided the age). She loses to a old female vampire and gets sired .. obviously.

the second slaypire idea involves a slayer getting called during the late 1930s. Her watcher and family gets butchered by the Nazis causing her to go on a personal crusade against them. Instead of vampires and demons. Can't have that. Rogue Slayer. Wetwork teams try to bring her down and they fail. Until the last time they try.. and while they are just about to do her in.. Drusilla and Spike 'rescue' her. How does that sound?

2. A male vampire OC. I haven't decided on when to put them in. Right off the bat.. during the Angelus era in season 2. Maybe a vampire who has beef with him. It depends on which back story for the original male character I choose. I'm thinking Buffy/OC .. Maybe Willow/OC

3. A regular slayer fic. She is called in the place of Faith or Kendra(Who just wouldn't exist in the fic at all. Like she was never born. If replacing Kendra than I could probably work out a way to add Faith) Or Faith dies on the operating table before they shock her ass back into existence.

4. For some reason I have wanted to drop a young Sineya into season one. I guess you could technically just say this is idea 3 without a OC.

5. A super-powered witch/warlock (Wizard?) like Dr. Strange in terms of power. Who is either trapped in a magical tomb that pops up Sunnydale. Or they arrive after 'sacrificing' themselves and the powers that be decide to drop them off somewhere before season 4.


What do you guys think?

 

[GwenRaiden]

I can't get into fanfiction at all. I find it kinda weird. That spans all fandoms, not just the Buffyverse.

 

[Skanky Vamp]

That would be the most polite way for me to say it. But I don't really think I can say what I think of fanfiction without pissing some people off, to be honest.

 

[DeadlyDuo]

I think fanfiction can be good but everyone has their own preferences on what kind of story they like to see told. I don't like OCs a main characters because there is a very real danger of them being Mary Sues. At best, OCs should b supporting characters IMO.

I've written a few fanfics myself. I did a Lost Boys one, I've done two OUAT ones (or rather a short RumBelle Christmas fic and I started another one but lost inspiration for it because the quality of the show went down and so did my love for the show. It's a hazard of trying to write fanfic for a currently airing show). I've started writing a Buffy season 4 AU.

 

[JimmyHall]

I can't get into fanfiction at all. I find it kinda weird. That spans all fandoms, not just the Buffyverse.

I like your profile picture.
 
Mary Sue? I hate that term. I hate that term so much. How dare a woman character be super strong and interesting at the same time. What defines a Mary Sue exactly? Is Buffy one? Look I aint going off on you DeadlyDuo. I'm going off on that term in general.

Why I hate the godawful term 'Mary Sue'
 
Okay, picture a girl she is a high school student who is a genius and is considered to be the best in Japan. Not only that she is beautiful and popular. And then she finds a magic book that gives her the power to kill anyone, anyway, anytime she wants too. She has a magical demon that follows her everywhere and does not threaten her in any way. She has two men that are hopelessly devoted and in love with her. She defeats the smartest detective in the world. Gosh, what a Mary Sue right? I just described to you a female version of Light Yagami from death note.

 

[thrasherpix]

As far as I'm concerned, Buffy season 6 on is fanfic (and it actually feels like fanfic to me, though some it quite good, just as some fanfic can be).

I've tried my hand at fanfic (basically just practicing for when I did my own original works, which I'm doing now), and I've learned many things from doing it. One is that even some readers of above average intelligence need things spelled out for them to understand it. One thing my fanfic does is switch perspectives (some love this, some hate it), that is I choose a character and tell it from their view (usually a chapter will be one character in the story). I'll do this even for the most unsympathetic characters, and readers think I'm trying to make them sympathetic, or even that it's a Mary Sue though I'm finding the character ridiculous (and heading for a fall).

But this is true about shows as well. For example, in Buffy some think that Ford in Lie To Me was meant to be sympathized with when he wasn't. I know some don't think about why the boy wearing a magic love jacket in Him wasn't attacked by vampires (as Xander was by Drusilla when he was enduring a love spell effect) because none were shown...despite that the vampires coming out of graves everywhere were being sired by someone (and I really doubt it was all Spike since they were popping up everywhere for years when Spike was, presumably, not siring anybody), which means the vampires were there even if off camera (and all the while the boy with the magic jacket was going to what was probably the prime hunting ground as the Bronze, and probably the mall as well). If it's not explicitly stated then it's not there (or is there even when it's not, like with thinking Ford was meant to be sympathized with).

As for me, I was tempted to do a sort of fanfic, one that was set in the Buffyverse but didn't use the main characters (though they might make a guest appearance) that explored demonic society and dimensions as inferred from Buffy and Angel. But I think those days are behind me, even though I've had some requests (not for Buffy). But if I had then I'd try to get things like magic follow the rules of the Buffyverse (leaving out season 6 Buffy, and also the comics that I don't keep up with) with an emphasis on unintended side effects and there always being a price for even fragile magicks that are inherently unstable rather than using the rules of magic from the Marvel universe which are essentially super powers, for example. Besides, one thing I've learned of the fanfic world is that it's all about the pairings. And I'm not much into that, at least not for its own sake.

Oh yeah, I was (many years ago) tempted to do a Halloween/Buffy/Angel/Hanna Montana crossover, but that was out of sheer silliness (though I had some fun thinking how WOULD Buffy slay Michael Meyers when he's more prone to returning to life than she is? Answer: steamroller, though I'd probably hint that it didn't work, and wasn't sure whether to sick the powerful Wicca Willow on the cult behind him, or have it work out more like in the episode Reptile Boy to add to the tensions...I'd have gone with whichever promised the most macabre laughs). The only thing that stopped me was that Hanna Montana was a huge deal to tween girls (which my job had me interact with, and most of them liked me a lot) and I just couldn't stand the thought of them crying over what I was going to have happen to their beloved HM cast which they at least somewhat identified with. 😱😀

 

[JimmyHall]

As far as I'm concerned, Buffy season 6 on is fanfic (and it actually feels like fanfic to me, though some it quite good, just as some fanfic can be).

I've tried my hand at fanfic (basically just practicing for when I did my own original works, which I'm doing now), and I've learned many things from doing it. One is that even some readers of above average intelligence need things spelled out for them to understand it. One thing my fanfic does is switch perspectives (some love this, some hate it), that is I choose a character and tell it from their view (usually a chapter will be one character in the story). I'll do this even for the most unsympathetic characters, and readers think I'm trying to make them sympathetic, or even that it's a Mary Sue though I'm finding the character ridiculous (and heading for a fall).

But this is true about shows as well. For example, in Buffy some think that Ford in Lie To Me was meant to be sympathized with when he wasn't. I know some don't think about why the boy wearing a magic love jacket in Him wasn't attacked by vampires (as Xander was by Drusilla when he was enduring a love spell effect) because none were shown...despite that the vampires coming out of graves everywhere were being sired by someone (and I really doubt it was all Spike since they were popping up everywhere for years when Spike was, presumably, not siring anybody), which means the vampires were there even if off camera (and all the while the boy with the magic jacket was going to what was probably the prime hunting ground as the Bronze, and probably the mall as well). If it's not explicitly stated then it's not there (or is there even when it's not, like with thinking Ford was meant to be sympathized with).

As for me, I was tempted to do a sort of fanfic, one that was set in the Buffyverse but didn't use the main characters (though they might make a guest appearance) that explored demonic society and dimensions as inferred from Buffy and Angel. But I think those days are behind me, even though I've had some requests (not for Buffy). But if I had then I'd try to get things like magic follow the rules of the Buffyverse (leaving out season 6 Buffy, and also the comics that I don't keep up with) with an emphasis on unintended side effects and there always being a price for even fragile magicks that are inherently unstable rather than using the rules of magic from the Marvel universe which are essentially super powers, for example. Besides, one thing I've learned of the fanfic world is that it's all about the pairings. And I'm not much into that, at least not for its own sake.

Oh yeah, I was (many years ago) tempted to do a Halloween/Buffy/Angel/Hanna Montana crossover, but that was out of sheer silliness (though I had some fun thinking how WOULD Buffy slay Michael Meyers when he's more prone to returning to life than she is? Answer: steamroller, though I'd probably hint that it didn't work, and wasn't sure whether to sick the powerful Wicca Willow on the cult behind him, or have it work out more like in the episode Reptile Boy to add to the tensions...I'd have gone with whichever promised the most macabre laughs). The only thing that stopped me was that Hanna Montana was a huge deal to tween girls (which my job had me interact with, and most of them liked me a lot) and I just couldn't stand the thought of them crying over what I was going to have happen to their beloved HM cast which they at least somewhat identified with. 😱😀

So you aint demonizing me for wanting to write a BTVS fanfic?
 
Much appreciated friend.

 

[Priceless]

Love me a bit of fanfic 🙂 I'm definitely not your target audience, as I only read Spuffy, but you should write the stories that would entertain you and you'll find an audience somewhere. The more you write, the better you'll get. I'd never leave a bad review because I admire people even attempting to write, it's something I cannot do.

 

[HowiMetdaSlayer]

I don't read a lot of fanfic. Most doesn't interest me for one reason or another. Some aren't written all that well (either technically or talent wise). As far as the term Mary Sue, I've always thought that it meant that someone literally put themselves or a character into a fic that was super powered/unbeatable. In my opinion I'll take a character that's more intersting over one that's more powerful. That's why I've never been a fan of the whole Sorting Algorithm of Evil trope that unfortunately was done on Buffy (the show). 🙄

 

[Anyanka Bunny Slayer]

I absolutely, positively loathe the majority of fan fiction, and I avoid it like the Ebola virus.
I don't want my brain traumatised by terrible writing and sloppy character portrayals.

 

[JimmyHall]

Wow. I figure there would be a lot more fanfiction writers on here. Huh. No need to be assholes guys.

 

[Buffy Summers]

Please watch your language. If you wish you be a member here you will treat others with respect.

You asked the question, there is no need to be rude because you didn't like the answers you got.

 

[Mr Trick]

I don't mind them. Haven't read too many. Don't really have any extreme views for or against them. But I do like how it can get your creative juices flowing.

@JimmyHall Chil it a bit on language and you'll have fun here. I would like to see some of your fanfiction for sure.

 

[Anyanka Bunny Slayer]

Well you clearly haven't read my FFs Anyanka!

Haven't I? 😛

 

[JimmyHall]

Language.. maybe this site ain't for me. If saying one tame bad word offends you guys then I guess I should find somewhere else to be.
 

Please watch your language. If you wish you be a member here you will treat others with respect.

You asked the question, there is no need to be rude because you didn't like the answers you got.

I'm sorry. I didn't realize that saying a tame cuss word would offend people so much.

 

[Anyanka Bunny Slayer]

Language.. maybe this site ain't for me. If saying one tame bad word offends you guys then I guess I should find somewhere else to be.

Listen...I understand that you're upset. Perhaps you felt that the criticism of fan fics was directed at you personally. It was not, I assure you.
But you should read the rules for this site. It strives to be family-friendly, and unnecessary foul language is discouraged. Especially when directed at other members.
Don't leave in a huff...I feel you have a lot to offer. 🙂

 

[nightshade]

A Mary Sue to me is a cliched OC, one added in that doesn't need to be there but the writer wants to almost insert themselves as that character into the story.

I've read a lot of fanfics, I'm not really into them anymore but I read a lot as a teen. If the plot is really good then I can usually forgive bad writing, well I could, not sure about now. Now I think both the plot would have to be really good and it would need good writing.

 

[JimmyHall]

I was talking to Mr. Pole. That is who I called.. well ya know. I thought his comment was.. that word hmm.. buttholeish. How about that?

 

[Buffy Summers]

There is still no reason to call other members derogatory words, of any sort. If you feel someone else has said something out of line, please report the post. But we do not accept nasty name calling here - whether it uses a curse word or not.

 

[Anyanka Bunny Slayer]

I was talking to Mr. Pole. That is who I called.. well ya know. I thought his comment was.. that word hmm.. buttholeish. How about that?

The administrator already answered your question:

Please watch your language. If you wish you be a member here you will treat others with respect.

You asked the question, there is no need to be rude because you didn't like the answers you got.

I'm not staff, so I'm done here. 😉