Fanfic musing
Jan. 29th, 2013 03:53 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
shapinglightI don't know why I said I needed an icon for my fic writing whinges when I have this one. Not that this post is a whinge. More of a muse.
So, the other day,![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
brutti_ma_buoni said that she's written 300+ fics in the last five years, which got me to wondering how many fics I've written in my eight years of fanfic writing (I think it's eight anyway). I haven't counted them, though, but instead got to musing about Buffyverse fanfic and fanfic writers in general.
When I think how much Buffyverse fanfic there was around in the early days compared to now it makes me a bit sad. There used to be so many websites out there -slash, het, yet more slash - whereas now - well, there are an awful lot less. I actually came into fic writing myself rather late in the day. I didn't post anything until after AtS ended. There was still a lot of fic being posted then. Those writers who'd survived the various shocks Joss had doled out along the way - like hiving Angel off into his own show at the end of season 3, or changing his mind about who sired Spike, or killing Tara, or lumping Spike (and thus Spuffy) with the AR - weren't ready to let go just yet.
So when I first dipped my toe into the Buffyverse fanfic writing waters, it was a pretty big pool with a lot of fish in it. Now, though, the pool has shrunk to more like a puddle, though -perhaps fortunately, perhaps not - there are a lot less of us to fill it. I can't think of many fic writers still in the fandom who've been active longer than I have (there are probably more still around than I realise as I'm not, for instance, friended to any Bangel writers), and not many who still only write Buffyverse stuff.
Which leads me to wondering why it is that the Buffyverse is still the only fictional world invented by other people that I want to fanfic? Am I just hidebound and complacent, do you think? Or are there still lots of meaningful things to say about the Buffyverse and its characters? Or, if not meaningful (because it's fanfic, after all) novel and interesting?
This post partly brought to you by my having fiddled with my![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif)
rekindlespangel fic after all, even though I told myself to leave well alone, but ending up still thinking the premise pretty much smacks of desperation.
Hmm, this post sounded better in my head. Thoughts? Are there still new stories worth telling? Does it matter if there aren't? Is this post really whinging after all?
So, the other day,
brutti_ma_buoni said that she's written 300+ fics in the last five years, which got me to wondering how many fics I've written in my eight years of fanfic writing (I think it's eight anyway). I haven't counted them, though, but instead got to musing about Buffyverse fanfic and fanfic writers in general.When I think how much Buffyverse fanfic there was around in the early days compared to now it makes me a bit sad. There used to be so many websites out there -slash, het, yet more slash - whereas now - well, there are an awful lot less. I actually came into fic writing myself rather late in the day. I didn't post anything until after AtS ended. There was still a lot of fic being posted then. Those writers who'd survived the various shocks Joss had doled out along the way - like hiving Angel off into his own show at the end of season 3, or changing his mind about who sired Spike, or killing Tara, or lumping Spike (and thus Spuffy) with the AR - weren't ready to let go just yet.
So when I first dipped my toe into the Buffyverse fanfic writing waters, it was a pretty big pool with a lot of fish in it. Now, though, the pool has shrunk to more like a puddle, though -perhaps fortunately, perhaps not - there are a lot less of us to fill it. I can't think of many fic writers still in the fandom who've been active longer than I have (there are probably more still around than I realise as I'm not, for instance, friended to any Bangel writers), and not many who still only write Buffyverse stuff.
Which leads me to wondering why it is that the Buffyverse is still the only fictional world invented by other people that I want to fanfic? Am I just hidebound and complacent, do you think? Or are there still lots of meaningful things to say about the Buffyverse and its characters? Or, if not meaningful (because it's fanfic, after all) novel and interesting?
This post partly brought to you by my having fiddled with my
rekindlespangel fic after all, even though I told myself to leave well alone, but ending up still thinking the premise pretty much smacks of desperation. Hmm, this post sounded better in my head. Thoughts? Are there still new stories worth telling? Does it matter if there aren't? Is this post really whinging after all?
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2013-01-30 07:51 am (UTC)Here's what I said over on
Buffy has all the elements of Greek mythology, and people are still fooling around with those stories, amirite? Gods, monsters, puny humans doing what they can to survive, prosper and/or find happiness. It's a rare fictional world that is so deep and broad, with comedy and tragedy aplenty.
Like Barb said, some people are here for the 'verse. Joss hit on something classic, IMO, even if it is "just" a TV show. There's a reason why Buffy Studies is a real thing.
So yeah, there are definitely things to say, and I'm perfectly fine with novel and interesting, but you people keep coming up with meaningful into the bargain. Hooray!
I'm actually quite optimistic for the fandom at the mo', since I don't seem to be able to keep up with all the shiny new things that keep popping up. I mean, c'mon!
All that said, I do wonder if every individual writer will always have something to say, and by "every" I mean me. I've got a couple of things part-way there, but then I think...maybe that'll be the last one. But then somebody will ask for prompts or there is a discussion that sparks something, and I'm off again, on a new adventure.
I have no desire to write in any other fandom, aside from my odd crossovers. Though I'm leaving the door open to all Joss-work when I say "fandom".
Your icon missed a golden opportunity! It should read, "Back, ADVERBIAL FIEND!" exclaimed Wes, anxiously.
no subject
Date: 2013-01-30 07:23 pm (UTC)And I love your entire comment. You're right that BtVS has mythic elements. Joss set out to create a cultural icon and he did. Nothing else he does will ever quite compare, I think.
And with you on yay!ing about the return of
Also, re: your WIP, I thought we had a deal?
no subject
Date: 2013-02-01 10:32 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-02-04 03:22 pm (UTC)Unless you mean
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Date: 2013-02-01 10:31 am (UTC)I bookmarked this thread when I saw it and didn't have the time to reply, and now I come back and find such a lovely comment about me. *blushes*
This is a great discussion, that reminds me of old times.
I haven't read the entire thread yet, but I agree that the Buffy vers is mythical and very special. I think BtVS and AtS and Firefly have attracted a particularly interesting fanbase: I met such amazing people in this fandom... creative, smart, successful, educated, bright, kind and helpful people, able to both: squee and drool AND think and meta :)
no subject
Date: 2013-02-04 03:23 pm (UTC)Not sure what else to say to this commment. :hugs:
no subject
Date: 2013-02-05 03:23 pm (UTC)YES, this has been my experience also!
able to do both Squee and drool AND think and meta
*LMAO* That description is CHOICE. I want this on a bumper sticker.
And it fits me like a velvet glove, which is perhaps what drew me into the show and this fandom? The fact that my first response to the show was emotional, the second was intellectual, and those two balance each other continually when it comes to how I still react to the characters.
no subject
Date: 2013-02-04 04:37 pm (UTC)*groan*
There's a reason why Buffy Studies is a real thing.
Before I watched the show last year I thought it was silly and couldn't comprehend this. And this comes from someone with a degree in Communications specifically film and drama, who loved good analysis of film, tv and culture, especially from a feminist slant, etc. But an entire discipline dedicated to one TV show? I had to watch it to understand, and it still amazes me because I can't begin to describe "why".
Buffy has all the elements of Greek mythology, and people are still fooling around with those stories, amirite? Gods, monsters, puny humans doing what they can to survive, prosper and/or find happiness. It's a rare fictional world that is so deep and broad, with comedy and tragedy aplenty.
I may have to steal - I mean, quote (borrow?) this, because that's as good an explanation as any I've come across.
I might even get to my WIP!
*drums fingers expectantly*
But then somebody will ask for prompts or there is a discussion that sparks something, and I'm off again, on a new adventure.
I'm really not a fiction writer (I know - I tried. For ten years. And came up with a pile of crap, trust me.) But I do find myself coming up with "what ifs?" for the 'verse that I've never posted as prompts but probably should, because I know that someone will respond with something terrific.