Want to Write Spuffy, Don't Know Where to Start

[IndianaSolo221]

So ah...I want to write some Spuffy, but I have no clue where to start. I haven't written anything even vaguely Spuffy-related since about 2016 (when I finally finished the series), and I don't have any solid ideas.

I try not to force myself to write, because I find that my stories end up a lot better off when I'm inspired, but I'd like to take a stab at something soon. Any suggestions?

 

[Priceless]

I find the more I read the more inspired I become. I've also trawled the Challenges on Elysian Fields, but haven't found one that grabs me yet. I'd love to read anything you've written.

 

[IndianaSolo221]

I find the more I read the more inspired I become. I've also trawled the Challenges on Elysian Fields, but haven't found one that grabs me yet. I'd love to read anything you've written.

I gotta be honest, I'm a little terrified to share my Buffy fics here. Partly because they were written a while ago, and I feel that my writing has improved at least a little since then.

 

[Priceless]

I gotta be honest, I'm a little terrified to share my Buffy fics here. Partly because they were written a while ago, and I feel that my writing has improved at least a little since then.

I totally get that, no pressure at all, but I'm sure you're being hard on yourself and your stories are better than you think. 😊 We're always our own worst critics.

 

[ILLYRIAN]

Force yourself to write the start of a story, I'd suggest you write half a page.
Read it again a few days or a week later, you just might like it or you may have you have ignited the inspiration to make it as you'd like it.

I'm writing a story at present, I keep changing it to be as I want it to be.

 

[M]

I gotta be honest, I'm a little terrified to share my Buffy fics here. Partly because they were written a while ago, and I feel that my writing has improved at least a little since then.

Most people seem to be nice here. Fanfic is fanfic. You make it to satisfy yourself. It's a stand alone. You could always place a disclaimer at the beginning, and say that you are just sharing and not interested in criticism at this time. I think people would honor it. In fact, it may be honored better here than someplace else.

Actually, I was hoping to read some fanfic here. @Puppet made one about a Spuffy Christmas I have yet to read. My approach has always been that fanfic is about the fan's appreciation of the original work and should be treated as such. I applaud all harmless passions, and fanfic is one of the best examples of that.

What kind of theme do you want? Do you want a prompt for the continuation of the series or a specific season? You seemed to be Christmas minded with some of your threads. Are you looking for a Christmas prompt? I don't mind casting some ideas someone else's way, but have no interest in writing anything longer myself. I'm doing enough of that now as it is.

 

[IndianaSolo221]

I’d really like to write a sort of Christmas oneshot that could possibly lead into a bigger story.

And...I’d eventually like to make an attempt at my own version of a continuation of the series (with plenty of Spuffy), but that’s a really big project to undertake, and I’m not sure I’m ready for that yet.

 

[M]

I’d really like to write a sort of Christmas oneshot that could possibly lead into a bigger story.

And...I’d eventually like to make an attempt at my own version of a continuation of the series (with plenty of Spuffy), but that’s a really big project to undertake, and I’m not sure I’m ready for that yet.

Do you want me to post prompts here or send them to you using the chat feature?

 

[IndianaSolo221]

If you wanna use the chat feature, that’s fine by me.

 

[IndianaSolo221]

So ah-- I wrote something. It's not Christmas-y and it barely qualifies as Spuffy, but...it's something. I may or may not share it, depending on how I feel about it later. I'm still hoping to write more this week, so if anyone wants to lend suggestions (either here or in a chat) feel free!

 

[gwenogjones]

I think the missing part of Spuffy is her finding out Spike is alive. I have no idea how they do that in the comics or have her already know - but as of s5 ep11 Buffy didn't know Spike was alive and ... honestly if Andrew just let the cat out of the bag that's a bit of a let down.

You could write a canon divergent Girl in Question, or have her find out earlier or set it post NFA.

I always have a spuffy image in my head of her not finding out for a long time - like years. There's some kind of a mission - they're both working the same case but never quite cross paths. Everyone else is happily coupled up and Buffy is feeling more and more lonely and then, when the bad guy is killed and it's time to celebrate, she takes herself off to mope (because she's Buffy - and Buffy does that). She turns around and there is Spike - cue them kissing all Gone With the Wind with the rising music and the rising ... music.

 

[IndianaSolo221]

I think the missing part of Spuffy is her finding out Spike is alive. I have no idea how they do that in the comics or have her already know - but as of s5 ep11 Buffy didn't know Spike was alive and ... honestly if Andrew just let the cat out of the bag that's a bit of a let down.

You could write a canon divergent Girl in Question, or have her find out earlier or set it post NFA.

I always have a spuffy image in my head of her not finding out for a long time - like years. There's some kind of a mission - they're both working the same case but never quite cross paths. Everyone else is happily coupled up and Buffy is feeling more and more lonely and then, when the bad guy is killed and it's time to celebrate, she takes herself off to mope (because she's Buffy - and Buffy does that). She turns around and there is Spike - cue them kissing all Gone With the Wind with the rising music and the rising ... music.

I haven’t had the chance to read the comics myself, and I’ve also wondered how they find each other again. This idea is great, and I could definitely see myself coming back to this.

 

[ILLYRIAN]

If your fanfiction is good and interesting to read, does it matter if it doesn't follow the canon of the TV or the comics?
Personally I have never read any of the comics, I saw the first one when it became available in the shops and thought the pictures were more like silly cartoons so I didn't read past the first page. Does that halt my tales of the Scooby Gang and their friends, nope.

 

[M]

It is polite to thank those who allow all fan fictions and that you do not want or expect any payment for such. I try to remember to do so myself.

ILLYRIAN, I don't quite follow you here. When and why should I be thanking who for what? Specifically, what do you mean by "those who allow all fan fictions"? And why am I thanking them?

 

[ILLYRIAN]

@Moggin,
when writing a bit of fanfiction it is nice to thank the holders of the copyrights of the series for allowing fanfiction to be written.
I only put the comment in your post as that seemed an apt place to put it in the discussion.

If you were to write a story it would be polite if folk were to thank you should you allow others to make up tales about your story.

 

[M]

@Moggin,
when writing a bit of fanfiction it is nice to thank the holders of the copyrights of the series for allowing fanfiction to be written.
I only put the comment in your post as that seemed an apt place to put it in the discussion.

If you were to write a story it would be polite if folk were to thank you should you allow others to make up tales about your story.

👍 Got it. Good idea, and a nice courtesy.

I did float three outlines to IndianaSolo221 via chat. Not sure if they are going to be used, but if anyone else interested, they can hit me up via chat. I don't mind sharing them. It just seemed a bit much to make a separate post or thread for the outlines. They were long and developed, but obviously not finished works of fanfic, and I'm no one important in the Buffy creative team, so it seemed a bit high handed to do so.

 

[IndianaSolo221]

I tried to write something again, as I've been spinning some ideas, but I feel like everything I'm writing is just an exposition dump, and I'm worried that it would just bore readers to tears. I'm probably going to pause for now and try again later.

 

[Priceless]

I tried to write something again, as I've been spinning some ideas, but I feel like everything I'm writing is just an exposition dump, and I'm worried that it would just bore readers to tears. I'm probably going to pause for now and try again later.

You could find a beta reader, someone you trust to show your work to who'll tell you honestly what they think and help you with the story, dialogue and all the grammar.