It’s hard to believe, but it’s time to announce our next event! 

Due to popular demand, we’ll be bringing back one of our most beloved events, Pen and Paint!

For those who may be new to the event or need a refresher, the goal of this event is to let our incredible artists steer the ship. So often, artists bring to life what a writer dreams up, but for this event, the artwork will be the fic-spiration!

Artwork may include drawings, paintings, video edits, comics, movie posters, banners, manipulations, whatever strikes your fancy! (All Spuffy-focused of course.) Artists will post their new artwork and the authors will write a corresponding piece inspired by that art. The length of the writing is up to each author. Drabbles, poems, singular scenes, and entire one-shot stories are all acceptable! Just please keep it under 15,000 words as that is the maximum length of a chapter/one-shot.

To make the tag-teaming nature of this event work, certain important formatting rules apply.

First, artists will need to post their submission, checking the box that tags it as a Pen and Paint event piece. Immediately upon posting, you will then create an open series. Include your artwork’s title in the series for clarity. Then, make sure you add your art piece to the series. That’s it!

For writers, you will be adding your fic to the corresponding artwork’s open series. To do that, post your story as normal, making sure you check that event box. Go to the artwork you are responding to and click on the series link. It is highlighted in orange in the example below:

Once on the series page, click Add to Series. Then choose the fic you are connecting to that series.

More steps than normal, but we promise, it isn’t as complicated as it may seem! Formatting our event pieces this way will help everyone find the art inspiration for each submission. If you have any issues with posting, please contact one of the admins to fix it for you. Stories cannot be removed from an open series once added by anyone other than the initial author and the admins. We’re here to help!

We encourage everyone to post as many submissions as they wish, to respond to as much artwork as they like. Fellow artists may respond to other series with additional artwork. Authors might continue writing another author’s scene if that’s what inspires them. The only rule is that each series must begin with artwork. Everything following that is free game!

Because of the responsive nature of this event, we like to allow two months for participation. So, you may start posting in June and will have until the end of July to participate. Only art/stories which are connected to a series will qualify for awards. Awards will be given to credited betas, artists, authors, and commenters who comment 15 words or more in both June and July.

We can’t wait to see what our amazing artists do this year! Let the creativity commence!

First, we want to say another huge thank you to everyone who came and conquered Short & Spuffy. It's so much fun to see all the prompt interpretations! So, thank you again! 

Next, we're so happy to bring you our April Scoobies of the Month! How is it already April?! We were just having Christmas ... 

Anyway, first up, our Author of the Month is: LadyInQuest

Tell us how you got into Buffy the show and Buffy fanfic.

BTVS was always on my orbit! Growing up, stuff like Charmed and Xena was my gem, but I Buffy always seemed kinda darker and scarier for little me, due the to being broadcasted on the channel that specialized on horrors and thrillers. So I never got to watching it up untill the spring of 2025, when I was burned out and a bit sad. What better will restore my spark, I figired, if not the ship that everyone and their mother on Tumblr called the ultimate enemies-to-lovers? I believe I've already attemped to start season one about ten years ago, but it never clicked. Not to the literal chills as when Spike rolls out on screen in School Hard. 

The first time round I binged only spuffy/Spike-infused episodes, but by s4 inevitably fell in love with the whole show, characters and tone.The show that everyone told me was really good turned out to be really good? Shocking twist! I'm a firm believer that media always found us at the right time, so my way to Buffy was long, but it's ended up being almost as if tailor made for my tastes! Campy, with a delicate balance between drama and humor, telling by a complete accident the story of a couple who respect each other's game even at their worst. 

With fics, I think I started to dig into them halfway through the season 5, cause I'm chill with spoilers. And then, in summer, EF Drabblemania came around, which seemed like a great cure for my burnout and a handy language practice. 

Where do you find inspiration for your stories?

From the most random places, slips of tongue and jokes. My writing is primarily a comedy, at least in the ideas' foundation. The process is usually picking a place in the show's timeline, imagine some "what if" scenario and then dance from there. 

Who is your favorite character to write and why?

Buffy because of her unique way with words. Anya and Harmony, because they always say what's on their mind, even if for different reasons. I want to write for Dru more in the future, cause you can make her babbling as whimsy and gore as you wish.

Which story of yours are you most proud of and which was the hardest to write?

The one I'm the most proud of is Girl's Girl, cause I for once I actually had a plan and finished most of parts before posting. I'm a bit of writting goblin, in a way that I usually have a tone of ideas which I'm greedily sit on and daydream of, but struggle to write it down since it's easily could become a long-term commitment. 

The hardest to write was While You Were Sleuthing, which is by coincidence was a Secret Santa gift for our Commenter of the Month, zinjadu. Naturally, I wished to publish it not the last minute before the deadline and do my very best. However the initial idea kept becoming more and more cumbersome and chaotic, although some pieces of puzzle seemed to be working just fine. Turns out, whoopsie-daisy, they belonged in a completely different plot. Which I ended up finishing on NYE, in between baking Pavlovas and gift wrapping. The lesson here is, I guess, that sometimes it's better to admit defeat sooner and start fresh. 

As a writer, what would you have changed on the show and why?

As much I accept almost anything in canon as a necessary, even if ugly or dumb, part of the journey, I think Seeing Red is way too emotionally sadistic from the credits to the end. More more metaphors please, less on voyeuristic punishments front. 

On a lighter note, I wish we had more fun with college setting! Some weird undead professors, peaceful demons as students, Buffy focusing on some class other than psychology. 

Maybe a proper crossover with ATS, where both teams need to solve the issue together? I wanna see the chaos, I wanna see how's Dawn with everyone, I wanna laugh at some truly random character partnerships. 

Also in s7 I would get rid off all vile priests and hypocritical-cryptic-old-ladies ex machina, to make The First more developed villain and true puppeteer.

We are right there with you on the vile priest (though Nathan Fillion dominated that role really evilly!) and would have fleshed out The First more! And by the way, thank you for being here! You ROCK!

****************

Next up is our Commenter of the Month: Zinjadu

Tell us how you got into Buffy the show and Buffy fanfic.

I watched the show back in the day, and I read fanfic in uni, but never felt the urge to write. Then back in 2024 I was doing a rewatch for nostalgia enjoyment. Somewhere in season 5, I started digging into AO3 for fanfic because I knew what was going to happen on the show anyhow, and I needed more Buffy (and Spuffy) in my life and brain. And my brain has been on lock ever since. 

What motivates you to leave comments?

Mostly, when an author has done one of two things: 1) hit me in the feels so hard I have to yell at them about it; or 2) have made me laugh. Luckily, that happens pretty frequently! Spuffy is designed for both feels and humor, and there are some great authors out there. It's great to let an author know how well they've done, and to contribute to the community feeling that fanfic has. Fanfic belongs to the whole community, and so taking part in that is part of the fun. 

I also write (answer to the next question), so I know how great it is to get a comment. Sometimes I don't comment as much as I wish I could, but where I can, I know how great it feels to get an effusive and specific comment. All the same, getting hearts or gifs is also fun. :)

Do you also write or are you strictly a reader?

Also a writer, for my sins. ;)

Were you a lurker before you started leaving comments or did you comment right away?

I lurked a little (on AO3), but left comments fairly quickly as I started going through the backlog of fanfic there. I try to be a little more proactive on SAD because the community is more targeted and more closely knit.  

How important is it to receive a reply from the writer when you leave a comment?

It's nice, but not necessary. I know writers are doing their level best to write and do that thing called real life. Sometimes the glut of comments can also be overwhelming (case in point: Short-n-Spuffy; madness, y'all). I don't think I'm ever owed an answer, but they are nice. 

We are so happy to have you here and can't wait to see what else you have up your sleeve in the future! Thanks so much for the wonderful comments!!

And that's a wrap! 
Until next time!
Chelle, Dusty, GetItDone, and GriefCounseling

We're stoked to share March's Scoobies of the Month! 

First up, we have our Author of the Month: Niamh

Tell us how you got into Buffy the show and Buffy fanfic.

How I got into this fine mess . . .  First of all, I have to give a big shout out to whoever actually nominated me for this.  Caught me completely by surprise.  I was wondering why I had a little silver star next to my stories!  So, thanks to everyone here and the mods too.  Made me blush all over and made my old lady heart skip a beat.  

I saw the movie in the theaters (don't ask me why) because my favorite monsters are vampires (next to the Beast as in Beauty and the . . . ) And I hated it, though I love Rutger Hauer.  Mainly I was there for him.  Cue the fast forward to the late 90s and the series.  I watched it and disliked the character (and actor) of Angel, mainly because I did not buy the Irish background and I was not their target audience (I was already in my mid-30s).  I stuck with it, though I was about to drop it in the second season because it was getting boring and trite and I tuned in for the 3rd episode thinking that if they don't do something fast, I was not going to watch anymore and then, there it was.  That Doc Marten and the destruction of the sign and I knew it.  I knew that character was going to save the show.  I knew it.  And before that boot hit the pavement I was already in love.   And the rest, as they say was history.  LOL

 Where do you find inspiration for your stories?

Inspiration for the stories can come from the weirdest places and moments.  Sometimes it's a song not related to Spuffy or the show, but it strikes an emotional chord (and yes, I meant that pun).  Sometimes it's a look that Spike has on his face or shares with one of the others, or that Buffy shares.  Orr Dawn.  For Origins, it was comparing the faces of Spike and Dawn and the Buffy and going -- huh. . . . (I was stuck home for the whole summer of 2004 with a dislocated shoulder, and I only had season 5 on CD so I watched it on loop over and over) A lot of the time it's a here's this other scenario and how would character X relate to that.  Put this character in that plot and see what happens.  Strip away the supernatural and what have you got?  

 Who is your favorite character to write and why?

My favorite character to write?  Oh geez.  It honestly depends.  I love writing Anya, because I can ger her to say and do anything she wants to, the same with Illyria.  All I do is just write what they want.  I have no input as far as they are concerned.  Day to day?  I understand Faith so easily.  I was like Faith.  I had no time to GAF as a teenager or in my early 20s (OG GenX here.  Be afraid, be very afraid).  So I had no problem slipping into her mindset.  Spike too, was easy.  But honestly, my very favorite character is, was, and always will be Drusilla.  She's so unhinged that I just love it.  

 Which story of yours are you most proud of and which was the hardest to write?

The story I'm most proud of and the hardest to write are one and the same:  Safe in My Own Skin.  It's a tough one, but the focus is narrow, only a handful of characters, the narrative jumps over the course of a few years, and story is harrowing.  It's not easy to read and it was very difficult for me to write as the survivor of both CSA/ASA - and the warnings should be heeded.  And at the same time, it's beautiful and healing and lyrical.  It's profound and heart wrenching and soft and  . . . I don't know.  I just would love for people to read it, because I believe it's worth reading.  And as a survivor, if I can write it, then I believe others can read it.  It's not long, it'll make you cry but it's so worth it in the end.

And if the reader can't handle that one, the other one I'm proud of is Leave Your Lights On.  It's a bit angsty, but the ending is beautiful and silver.

As a writer, what would you have changed on the show and why?

As for what I would change:   In Hindsight, I would have bumped Noxon and Whedon from the set and Left Jane Espenson in charge.   Aside from that?  I don't know how much I would have changed, because those oversights/mistakes allowed for the ridiculous amount of fanfiction that's still being written today, so. . . I don't know.  What I might have done is created a storyboard, or a show bible so that some of the more egregious mistakes didn't happen, so that the continuity wasn't so off kilter in some spots that it was almost laughable.  Oh, I might have ramped up the storyline in season 4 to make it a bit more obvious that the Initiative was parallel to a Neo-Nazi group and that they really were not anywhere in the neighborhood of good guys.  It's clear they were trying to make Captain America, but the execution was just so ham-handed, I'm surprised that JW actually sanctioned it.  

I also would have erased that stupid kiss in season 7.  So unnecessary.  

(We hear you on that Bangel kiss! Especially making Spike see it! And after everything B/S had shared in the lead up!? No way! And by the way, we're so happy that you're here and sharing your stories!)

Next up in our Commenter of the Month: Maxine Eden

Tell us how you got into Buffy the show and Buffy fanfic.

I first got into the show back when my mom was pretty sick. It was on in the background at home and just sort of became a comfort show/form of escape for me. I started watching it from season 1 and became instantly obsessed and since I love fanfic, I knew there had to be some out there which is how I started to read it and eventually write it. 

What motivates you to leave comments?

I know for myself personally I love when I get comments so I try to leave as many as I can so other authors know how much I am enjoying their work. 

Do you also write or are you strictly a reader?

I also write. I just finished a really fun fic and am looking forward to all of the drabbles to read this month. 

Were you a lurker before you started leaving comments or did you comment right away?

Definitely a lurker! It took me some time to work up to it, I felt like some of the authors were celebrities 😂

How important is it to receive a reply from the writer when you leave a comment?

I think it’s really nice to see that they saw the time you spent commenting just as much as they spent time writing. I do think from my own perspective it’s nice to just have the effort you took acknowledged, knowing they took the time to do so. 

(We love your comments and having you here, Maxine Eden! You make the community such a great place to be!)

And that's a big ol' wrap on March! We hope you are all enjoying Short & Spuffy! We certainly are!

Take care,
Chelle, Dusty, GetItDone, and GriefCounseling
 

Happy February! We hope you guys are writing something Valentine-y for our lovely blonds. I dunno ... smut? Drama? Smutty drama? Smutty funny drama that smuts? Maybe Spike finds a puppy or kitten with a red bow around its neck and HAS to give it to Buffy? 

Anyway, we are pleased to bring you the February Scoobies of the Month! First up, we have our Author: Tikiriaaa

Tell us how you got into Buffy the show and Buffy fanfic.

I had seen some episodes on tv as a young teen, but back then we didn’t have a good channel reception for it, so it was all scrambled and unfortunately the dubbing wasn’t great (I am French). Then when I started uni I met a friend who absolutely loved the show, and we swapped her BTVS dvd box sets with my Doctor Who ones. We successfully managed to convert each other, and once I finished season 2 of BTVS I bought my own box sets. I am still so thankful to her for making me watch the show, she’ll forever be one of my favourite people for it, even though she is a Bangel fan hahaha.

I came to fan fiction much much later. I had read some Harry Potter fics before, pretty irregularly, but never for BTVS. But when I got pregnant with my third child I was really sick, and I was stuck in bed for a while, and after rewatching my favourite episodes I decided I wanted more, and went looking for some fics online. I ended up finding EF and meeting great people there, including Harmony99 who recommended a few fics from SAD, leading me here!

Where do you find inspiration for your stories?

I have ADHD and a lot of intrusive thoughts, so a lot just randomly pops into my head when I’m supposed to be focusing on something else. I also have pretty crazy and/or vivid dreams almost every night, which can be great sources of inspiration for me.

I also do a lot of what ifs? Just change one detail or one event from the show, and what happens then?

Who is your favorite character to write and why? Which story of yours are you most proud of and which was the hardest to write?

I think one of my favourite characters to write is Anya, because she’s easily badly written I find, and when I can get her voice right it’s so rewarding. I also really like writing a teenage Buffy.

I think the story I am most proud of is the one I am writing right now and plan on starting posting this month (let’s call it BE for now, I don’t want to give anything away). I am also really happy with the one I wrote before, “Relentless”. It was a Christmas gift and following someone’s requirements really pushed me out of my comfort zone as a writer.

The one that was (is) hardest to write is probably “Rewind the Rebound”, which I haven’t posted here yet, because I feel bad about only posting the first chapters when I am not actively working on it right now. I think it’s the hardest because I wanted to start writing something without planning ahead and see where it would take me. In the end I am not sure this style of writing is working for me. I usually tend to start with a detailed plan of where the story is going.

But I am hoping to get back to it soon and post it on SAD then! As soon as I plan it out!

As a writer, what would you have changed on the show and why?

I think I would have tried and tackle the inconstancies regarding vampire lore. I get that the writers didn’t always care about continuity, and wanted to focus on the story of the week, and also that perceptions do evolve as you grow up. But one of the most annoying things on the show was the double standard when it came to Angel/Angelus vs evil/ souled Spike. I would have spent more time on Dawn and Spike’s relationship in season 7 as well (or any time at all, really).

The second thing I would have changed would be more accountability for Xander. Not only is it annoying that he gets off scot-free with a lot of stuff, but I think it also denied him the chance to grow and develop as a character. That and his attitude towards Anya.

Then I probably would have pushed for way more flashbacks! I’m a sucker for them!

(Thank you so much, Tikiriaaa! We are so glad you moseyed over to our neck of the wood and started posting here! The fandom is blessed to have you! And uhm ... any time you want to write a fic where Xander is held accountable ... YES. SO, yes! Especially when he summoned Sweet and people danced themselves to death! :) )

Next up is our lovely Commenter of the Month: SpuffyFan12345

Tell us how you got into Buffy the show and Buffy fanfic.

My brain is wired to dismiss new info and suggestions until I hear them from multiple sources. I could've joined the fanbase a decade ago if I'd listened to a boyfriend at the time and watched the show. Then in 2023 I really enjoyed the “Buffy Gets Therapized” videos from Mended Light YouTube, but I don’t think I made it past the opening theme song when I tried to watch Buffy. Then 9/21/2024 my journal states: “started Buffy the Vampire slayer last night—I started watching a YouTube video yesterday that said the series is very feminist and oh boy it is. Little over-the-top and low production quality taste, but it gives me a chuckle now and then, and yes I love the female-power/female-centered the plot is.” Little did I know how my life had changed!

The next weeks of journaling note my binge of the whole Buffy and Angel series, growing more and more excited for the characters and the universe. I followed up with Passion of the Nerd (YouTube) storytelling analysis, the podcasts “Still Pretty” and “Still Dead”, etc. I couldn’t get enough! Early 2025, I found my way to AO3 and the world of fanfiction.

Oddly, I’m not the best at re-watching Buffy episodes or seasons in full, but I can quote most of Spike’s lines thanks to the YouTube playlist “Spuffy - All Scenes” from Buffy & Spike Channel. Much love to whoever created that! It is priceless to me.

Do you also write or are you strictly a reader?

Summer 2025 I picked up writing as a "serious" hobby, and have generated 120k words across as 7-book series I have planned. I'm giving myself a decade to learn craft and get the first two books published, so 2035 will be a big year for me if everything goes as planned... (None of my other plans tend to work out, but maybe writing is the exception that proves the rule?)

My series’ main character and love-interest carry the same energy (push-pull dynamic) of Buffy/Spike, even if they are too far off to work as fanfic. Spuffy will forever be in my heart!

What motivates you to leave comments?

Some of the best writing advice I've heard was from "How Story Works" podcast, and was that before any work is completed, the only feedback one should ever accept is the answer to “what’s your favorite part?” Hearing encouragement of favorite parts on my “zero draft” snippets helped me go from zero to a hundred real quick, find my writers voice, and have a lot more writing confidence. Plus, it was super fun! I want to pay that favor forwards, so that’s what motivates me to leave comments on fanfic, highlighting my favorite parts of each work. Echoing back the best character moments, impeccable insights, and just pure fun, I hope resonates with the authors and encourages them to keep writing!

Were you a lurker before you started leaving comments or did you comment right away?

I was a lurker for a while, especially on AO3 (SpuffyFan123). Recently moved to SAD as primary, first motivated because Dusty has more works posted over here, and then sticking around because I like how easy it is to find and view my past comments. (My brain will remember a particular scene at random, and have no idea which fic it was from, only that I definitely want to re-read it, like now! Past comments form the breadcrumbs in such frantic searches....lol)

How important is it to receive a reply from the writer when you leave a comment?

I post mainly for the joy of the authors (I hope). And because I like actively engaging in what I read. Unlike a physical book or ebook where highlights would go into a void, knowing that my comments can be read (whether or not they are replied to) is very motivating. If an author does choose to reply, that’s the cherry on top of an already delicious ice cream sundae.

(Well, SpuffyFan12345, we think the cherry on top is having YOU here! Thank you for being such an amazing part of the community! We can't wait to see what you do next. <3 )

And that's a wrap! Happy writing everyone ... remember ... puppies or kittens with a red bow for Buffy would be a lovely Valentine for Chell- uh, I mean BUFFY. Wow, Buffy sure would like that!

Happy Hearts!
Chelle, Dusty, GetItDone, and GriefCounseling

Has everyone shaken off their holiday hangovers? Because we have some awesome interviews for you. :)

First up, we have our Author of the Month: Harmony99

Tell us how you got into Buffy the show and Buffy fanfic.

I have always loved vampire lore and stories and saw the movie in the theater and watched the show religiously as soon as it started airing. I found fanfic much later, by accident, when I found Passion4Spike.com in December 2022. I discovered SAD one year later, after seeing Dusty’s note on her EF profile. I am thankful every day for the stories that have been shared and the friendships I’ve made.

Where do you find inspiration for your stories?

My stories are usually inspired by an event prompt, and then I try to figure out how to fulfill it visually, as that is the medium I am most comfortable with. I storyboard my ideas, not always sequentially, and then look for images that best illustrate what I’m trying to say. Sometimes I spend more time looking for images than actually putting things together.

Who is your favorite character to write and why? Which story of yours are you most proud of and which was the hardest to write?

I don’t have a favorite character to write, but, since everything I’ve created is Spuffy-centric, I like making them kinder to one another. 

I have so much fun creating narrative artwork and manips, but if I have to choose my favorite, I would say “Be Careful What You Wish For” because it was a blast researching Victorian customs and finding period dresses to put Buffy in.

"Spinning Wheel" was also a lot of fun because I went down a music video rabbit hole for those manips, but I never finished it. So, even though there is no text, I’ll say that was the hardest because it isn’t complete.

As a writer, what would you have changed on the show and why?

I always hated how poorly the Scoobies treated Spike. Yeah, he was evil until he was chipped, but once he escaped the Initiative and went to Buffy for help, the "nice guys" took pleasure in kicking him while he was down. If Angel could be forgiven for murder and cruelty the gang witnessed/experienced while he was unsouled, the same courtesy should have been extended to Spike. 

I wish Anya was given more respect, as well. LMAO, did I actually say wish? She had so much experience and knowledge and she was treated as a moron who needed to keep her mouth shut while the grown-ups discussed things.

Thank you for being here, Harmony99. You are such a joy and we can never get enough of your art and stories. That's a nudge, by the way. And consider me (Chelle) stoked at my birthday manip! Wow! Gift that never stops giving!

Next up we have our Commenter of the Month: Harlow Turner

Tell us how you got into Buffy the show and Buffy fanfic.

I think I already answered this when I was Author of the Month but I started watching Buffy... must've been sophomore year of college or the summer before. I was a bit slow to warm up but I very quickly fell in love with the ensemble cast. After... I think it was after I'd watched S4, I realized that I wanted more and I sought out fanfiction. I think I started with the rec lists on TV Tropes, actually. 

What motivates you to leave comments?

I definitely have the attitude of "someone worked hard to write this, for free, the very least I can do is thank them and let them know that I enjoyed their work." As an author myself I know comments are motivating and encourage me to keep writing. They also just make me smile and make me feel good about myself, so I want to pass that on to others. 

Do you also write or are you strictly a reader?

I also write! I think I might write more than I read at this point, though it fluctuates. 

Were you a lurker before you started leaving comments or did you comment right away?

I was a bit of a lurker at first. I started writing fanfiction shortly after I began reading it, and then I got more motivated to comment on others' works. I still feel like I'm inconsistent about reading but when I read I do try to leave a comment! 

How important is it to receive a reply from the writer when you leave a comment? 

I wouldn't say it's the most important thing ever, but it is nice to get a reply so that I know the author saw my comment! I also really enjoy when I can make a connection with someone in the comments section of their work, it's really special.

Thank you all for having me as your Commenter of the Month! I really want to give a shoutout to the amazing admins, authors, artists, betas, and commenters who make SAD the wonderful place that it is. You all are the best!

Aww, Harlow, thank you! We just provide the space, but it's all of you guys who make the community. We're beyond thrilled that you found us and made a home here. You ROCK.

And that's a wrap on January. You guys stay safe. 
Chelle, Dusty, GetItDone, and GriefCounseling

Our December Scoobies of the Month Interviews are here! (Better late than never, right?)

First up is our Author of the Month, In Mortal!

·  Tell us how you got into Buffy - the show and the fanfic.

My love of Buffy the Vampire Slayer actually goes back to when I was 5. My parents had the movie taped on VHS, and I watched it every day. It was funny, it was campy, it was scary, but not really. It’s a great kids’ movie.

The show came out when I was in junior high, and it was so different than the movie that it took me a couple of years to really get into it. But around Season 4 or so, I found a certain peroxide blonde calling me back every week. By the end of Season 5, I was obsessed. Luckily, around that same time, FX picked it up for syndication and ran a marathon, so I got caught up quickly. I started reading fanfic (NautiBitz was my go-to), I read spoilers for upcoming episodes (I ruined ‘I love you’ ‘No, you don’t’ for myself, which I still regret), and I used to tape the show on VHS and run it on repeat, cuz that’s how we did it back then.

·  Where do you find inspiration for your stories?

I actually didn’t start writing fanfic until a couple of years ago. I honestly didn’t think I’d like it. I wanted to read other people’s stories. But I found myself searching for stories I couldn’t find, so one night, I sat down to write a post-series reunion scene, and 5k words poured out of me in about an hour. I guess I’d been thinking about it for a while. That became the first chapter of a 31-chapter fic. And this is my new obsession.

At some point (when is debatable), Spike’s unrequited love became requited, and I don’t think we saw nearly enough of that in the show. The fics in which Buffy’s pursuing Spike or even role reversals were always my favorite. A lot of my stories start there.

·  Who is your favorite character to write, and why?

Buffy is my favorite character to write. Probably because I have a crush on her.

·  Which story of yours are you most proud of, and which was the hardest to write?

I think I’m most proud of The Watcher. Rewriting the entire series was an ambitious goal, and I knew it was going to be a challenge. I’m proud of how the story turned out, but mostly, I’m happy that I completed it.

The hardest to write was probably A Darkened Night of the Soul. It was my first fic and maybe the most complex plot I’ve come up with so far. Also, proud that I finished it.

·  As a writer, what would you have changed on the show and why?

I mean, the bathroom scene in SR. I imagine a lot of people wish they could change that.

Setting aside whether that was in character for Spike or the impact on Buffy and Spike’s relationship, this is a show that championed female empowerment, yet positioned its heroine, the main character, and the strongest character in this fictional world, as a victim of SA strictly to advance the storyline of a supporting male character. If they’d had any interest in exploring the impact on Buffy, I would say there’s some merit to it, but that’s just not why they did it. It was disappointing on many levels.

 Thanks In Mortal! And cheers to the VHS-era! We're so happy to have you here!

Next up is our Commenter of the Month, Davidf89.

Tell us how you got into Buffy - the show and the fanfic.

I got into Buffy as a high school student in Hong Kong as I had the DVD box sets of Buffy and later Angel.   My interest in Spuffy started in season 5 of Buffy especially when the real Buffy kissed Spike after he refused to give up Dawn to Glory.   To me spike even as a soulless vampire was a better man than Angelus who was a pure evil monster. Although after watching Angel I do support Angel and Cordelia as a couple.

What motivates you to leave comments?

I’m motivated to leave comments when I see well written stories.

Do you also write, or are you strictly a reader?

I’m also an aspiring writer having just started posting my first fanfic on Sunnydale after Dark called Dark Gift.

Were you a lurker before you started leaving comments, or did you comment right away?

I left comments straight away when I saw stories that I liked.    Thanks so much, Davidf89!  We're so thankful for all your comments of support for our authors!

Hi, everyone! Our interviews for November are ready! Enjoy! 

First up, we have our Author of the Month: jewelram

Tell us how you got into Buffy the show and Buffy fanfic.

A friend convinced me to give it a shot when I was in high school, and I watched the whole show over the next few months. Fast forward to last year, I was deciding what vampire media I was going to watch over the summer, because for some reason it always ends up happening, so why not do it on purpose? I went with BtVS after I jokingly threatened to bleach my hair before my sister's wedding, and my other sister said I had better not go "full Spike."

I knew going in that I was going to end up reading (and probably writing) fanfiction, and lo and behold, partway through season 6, I said to myself, "fuck this, I just want to read about Spike and Dawn being best friends," so I popped over to AO3, which eventually led me to Sunnydale After Dark <3

Where do you find inspiration for your stories?

A lot of my ideas come from conversations I have with my oldest sister—the one who tried to steer me away from peroxide. She also writes fanfic, and we bounce ideas off one another. An outside perspective is invaluable when working out the kinks of a plot.

Other than that, I find inspiration all over. Music, movies, funny things my niece says. I once got an idea for a story from a bottle of sparkling water. (Not a joke.)

Who is your favorite character to write and why?

I haven't used her as much as I would like, but I think my favorite is Anya. I love how frank she is, and there's something to be said for someone whose canon characterization allows you to skip exposition and just say what's going on.

Which story of yours are you most proud of, and which was the hardest to write?

The answer to both questions is probably soup. I really enjoyed building a story around as silly a concept as prophetic alphabet soup, but some of the later chapters were definitely a pain.

As a writer, what would you have changed on the show and why?

I would have done more (read: anything) with Dawn outside of Glory. They rewrote the universe to put her in the show, and then did approximately nothing with her after that. Let's talk about how she must have felt about everyone saying over and over that Spike doesn't have real feelings, yet they know for an absolute fact that everything Dawn feels—everything everyone feels about her—is explicitly made up. Or the fact that the Scoobies brought Buffy back, but Dawn wasn't allowed to have her mom.

Season 7 at least touched on her feelings of inadequacy, having the Slayer for a sister, but it's "resolved" in the same episode and doesn't come up again, not even when Buffy tries to sideline her in the penultimate episode. I would have taken a Summers sisters heart-to-heart over more Angel nonsense in a second.

We think Dawn should have been fleshed out more, too. Michelle T was super talented and could have handled more. :) And we're so happy to have you at SAD! Thanks for being here!

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Next up is our Commenter of the Month: HappyWhenItRains 
(who is on a cross country road trip, so their answers are short. And we hope it inspires a road trip fanfic!)

Tell us how you got into Buffy the show and Buffy fanfic.

I resisted watching the show for a long time because sometimes I like to hate popular things, but so many of my cool friends love the show and have written academic papers on it and I kept seeing Buffy trending on Twitter, so I decided to see what all the fuss was about. Spring 2022, I started out reading on Ao3, but there were too many non-Spuffy stories that jump scared me with other ships to sort through, and in my search to find the best Spuffy stories, I came across dedicated Spuffy archive, and I've been here ever since. 

What motivates you to leave comments?

I love getting comments on my stories, and I am sometimes terrible at replying, so I try to get a little karma by commenting. 

Do you also write or are you strictly a reader?

Oh I definitely also write. And draw. 

Were you a lurker before you started leaving comments or did you comment right away?

I lurked for a bit, but the stories are just so good I had to comment. 

How important is it to receive a reply from the writer when you leave a comment?

Seeing as how I have trouble responding to comments on my own stories, it's not a priority for me. It's so nice when authors reply, but I don't ever expect it. 

Thank you, HappyWhenItRains! Be safe on your trip and find a heck of a lot of inspiration so you can bless us with more content! We can never have enough from you.

And that's a big ol' wrap on November! Have a great one, everyone!
Chelle, Dusty, GetItDone, and GriefCounseling

Happy October, everyone! Just wanted to say another big thank you for all the Missing Pieces you all filled in for us.

First up, we have the author who wrote the most stories for Missing Pieces. Kenijo is our Author of the Month:

Tell us how you got into Buffy the show and Buffy fanfic.

I don’t want to age myself here, but truthfully, what does it matter at this point? I got into Buffy when it was airing live on TV. The show debuted when I was a teenager, so I was basically the perfect target audience, and I was instantly hooked.

I’d seen the Buffy movie — it was campy fun, and of course I loved Luke Perry (because who didn’t?) — but it didn’t quite scratch the itch for me. I’d watched things like Bram Stoker’s Dracula with Gary Oldman and Keanu Reeves, so when I saw the previews for the series, I was beyond stoked. I thought: “Yes! This is more like what I want.” Luckily, Joss clearly felt the same way, and we got the show we did.

As for fanfic, I wasn’t active in fandom circles for a long time, but I was always hypothesizing with my sisters and friends — daydreaming “what if” scenarios, especially about Spike and Buffy’s reunion. I didn’t dive into fanfic seriously until after my daughter was born. Suddenly, I had all this downtime as a nursing mom, and that’s when I discovered the fanfic archives. Being a bit technologically challenged, I mostly stuck to the two big sites, but once I fell in, I was hooked all over again.

Where do you find inspiration for your stories?

Honestly, from all kinds of places. Song lyrics have sparked ideas. Sometimes I’ll have a vivid dream and jot it down as soon as I wake up. And often it’s just a throwaway line in canon that makes my brain say, “Interrogate that. Where did that line come from? Where could it lead?”

Ironically, I never took creative writing classes. My background is in science — I majored in biological sciences with a concentration in cellular and molecular biology. I was also really into math and physics, while steering toward biochem whenever chemistry came up. So in a sense, I’m used to zooming way in on details and then zooming back out to see the bigger picture. That mindset carries over into my writing. A single psychologically tense moment can ripple forward into whole new events if you pull the thread.

I also love challenge prompts. The “Missing Pieces” event was a favorite because it had to stay canon-compliant. I like using those boundaries to dig deeper — to expand a scene or explain future events that didn’t quite make sense to me in canon. I love exploring the psychology of the characters, and human psychology applies to the humans and the demons of Buffy. To my mind, vampires are really just humans with the brakes taken off, so it’s fascinating to push at that line.

Who is your favorite character to write and why?

It’s probably no surprise that I adore Spike. Honestly, I love all the characters, but I feel a special connection to him. Maybe it’s because he gets to say the things we’re all secretly thinking. He’s pure id — massively flawed, yet somehow relatable. His voice is so distinctive, and the amount of character development he gets over the course of the show makes him endlessly fascinating to dive into. There are just so many iterations of Spike, and exploring those layers is incredibly fun.

That said, I also have a real affinity for Buffy, Dawn and Faith. As I get more comfortable in my writing, I look forward to plumbing the depths of even more characters. I really do love them all — even the ones I love to hate. And honestly, there’s just as much joy in “love-hating” a character as there is in outright adoring one.

Which story of yours are you most proud of and which was the hardest to write?

That’s like asking a mom which of her kids she loves most — every story has its own reason for existing. And since I’m still a fairly new writer, I’ve got plenty in the works that aren’t even published yet.

That said, I have a special pride in This Is Me Trying. It was the first creative writing I’d done since middle school assignments, and posting it felt terrifying — especially on a site filled with such amazing writers. But I pushed past the embarrassment and put it up for the Short and Spuffy challenge, and I’m so glad I did. I like to joke that Short and Spuffy was my gateway drug. The community was so welcoming, and all the encouraging comments gave me the push to keep writing. Even though that drabble series is probably riddled with errors and could be improved a hundred different ways, it will always hold a special place in my heart. Without it, I don’t think I would have written everything that came after.

As for the hardest, that’s definitely my WIP Faith Around and Find Out. It’s my first true multi-chapter fic, and I’m juggling three main character voices plus two original characters, all while trying to fulfill a challenge prompt and stay true to my own artistic vision. It’s been tricky but also rewarding — especially since I’ve had a fantastic beta and supportive feedback along the way.

I’d also add that some of my original fiction projects are tough in a different way. I’ve been exploring themes I never thought I’d write about — things I usually avoid reading or watching because they’re a personal squick. And yet the ideas keep coming, so I feel compelled to write them. Between that and Faith Around and Find Out, I’m definitely being stretched as a writer — but in the best way.

As a writer, what would you have changed on the show and why?

I like to joke that Season 6 was Marty and Joss’s “torture p*rn” season — not just for the viewers, but for the characters too. At the beginning of that season, they were building something truly beautiful, and then it started to unravel into plot-device territory. The biggest example for me is Seeing Red.

Everyone knows how traumatizing that episode was — for the actors, the characters, and the fans. And it’s still used as a cudgel to demonize the Spuffy fandom. Do I think it was necessary for Spike’s character development? Absolutely not. Nor was it necessary for Buffy’s.

To me, it felt like a kind of fridging of Buffy — not in the literal “killed to motivate” sense, but in the way her suffering was used to push a male character into growth. That’s a huge cop-out in writing, and damaging to the franchise. It was especially disappointing because they had already explored that theme earlier in Dead Things with Warren, Katrina, and the Trio (negative character growth is still growth). Repeating it with Buffy herself felt gratuitous and unnecessary.

What frustrates me most is that Season 6 is actually tied as one of my favorite seasons. It has incredible highs and some of the best character development in the series. I would absolutely keep the raw, messy journeys and the darkness of that season — but I would not fridge the main female character in order to force growth onto a male character. That was a choice that disappointed me deeply as both a fan and a writer.

That being said, Buffy as a whole is — and always will be — my favorite television show of all time. There isn’t a single “skip” episode for me. Even the campier episodes of Season 1 and 2 always have something new to discover and enjoy — and those seasons also gave us deeply powerful episodes like Welcome to the Hellmouth (Parts 1 & 2)(yes, that’s how old I am, still remember “The Harvest” listed as WttH Part 2), Prophecy Girl, and The Pack. And don’t even get me started on Season 2 — with episodes like When She Was Bad, School Hard, Halloween, What’s My Line (Parts 1 & 2), Surprise, Innocence, Passions, Bewitched, Bothered & Bewildered, I Only Have Eyes for You, and of course, Becoming (Parts 1 & 2). That season is proof of how layered, emotional, and impactful this show could be.

In fact, I consider myself a bit of a Buffy evangelist. When I introduce people to the series, I encourage them to watch Welcome to the Hellmouth (Parts 1 & 2) and Prophecy Girl, then jump straight into Season 2. Once they’re hooked, they can circle back for the rest of Season 1. Season 2 is so killer, and of course, it’s where we meet and fall in love with, Spike, that it converts even the biggest skeptics.

That’s the beauty of Buffy: it’s endlessly rewatchable, always layered with something new to find, and it continues to inspire me as both a fan and a writer.

That is the beauty of Buffy, Kenijo. And we're all so blessed that you're here writing fanfic and creating for the fandom. We're glad it's the gift that keeps on giving you ideas because we get to benefit from your awesome tales. Thanks for being here! :)

_______

Next up, we have the awesomely named splendidchapette as our Commenter of the Month:

Tell us how you got into Buffy the show and Buffy fanfic.

I'd never seen BtVS until a few years ago. I was visiting a friend, and their housemate was doing a rewatch and was up to 'The puppet show' and it blew me away with how good it was. So, I went away binged the whole series along with AtS. I didn't realise I was a die hard Spuffy fan until I got to Chosen and desperately wanted more. I'd never delved into fanfic before, but once I saw how amazingly talented and committed the writers were, I was hooked. The quality of writing was amazing.

What motivates you to leave comments?

I want to show my appreciation for everyone that dedicates their time and energy to writing and shares it with the world.

Do you also write or are you strictly a reader?

I just started writing a year ago, the community (and the characters) was just so inspiring. It's been so much fun, I love it.

Were you a lurker before you started leaving comments or did you comment right away?

Yes, I was a lurker, I was so shy 😳 But I read everyone else's comments and saw how supportive the community was so I psyched myself up. I've started rereading old favourites so I can leave comments and likes this time.

How important is it to receive a reply from the writer when you leave a comment?

Getting an author's reply is such a fun little surprise. I like it when they take a while to reply and I forget what I said, then I get to go back and remind myself why I liked the chapter or the story so much.

splendidchapette, your name is fitting because you are incredibly splendid. We're endlessly happy that you found SAD and came out of your shell to comment and write. Thanks for being here! <3

And that's a wrap on October. Y'all have a safe and Happy Halloween. Be careful where you buy/rent your costume, though. We've heard rumors that Ethan's out of captivity and back in the chaos business.

All the best,
Chelle, Dusty, GetItDone, and GriefCounseling

Happy September! We're so happy to bring you our Scoobies of the Month! But ... is anyone else wondering how on earth it's this close to Christmas again so soon? Seriously! 

First up, we have our Author of the Month: CheekyKitten

Tell us how you got into Buffy the show and Buffy fanfic.

I can't even remember how I started watching Buffy, but I do remember it was on its initial run, and I was just a kid. I watched most of the show when it came on TV, along with the week-long waits between episodes. But I know I missed things then. Loved it then and have loved it ever since. Rewatching reruns and then my own copies over and over. 

I don't think I got into fanfic until the series ended, and I was SO incredibly disappointed with Spike dying. The first fic I read (and also the first fic I've ever written on college-ruled paper that will never see the light of day) had to do with Spike coming back. 

And then at some point in the last few years, I had rewatched it for some umpteenth time and on a whim started looking for fanfic communities and found my way back into it all. 

Where do you find inspiration for your stories?

That's a bit of a doozy of a question. Not sure I have a good answer. Sometimes a song. Sometimes, a crossover with something else I love. Sometimes, a conversation with a friend. Or a weird dream. Or just a random what if thought. I wish I could pinpoint it, but in reality, it just hits when it hits, and sometimes I'm excited enough to follow through and actually write it. 

Who is your favorite character to write and why?

Favorite is definitely Spike. His general attitude and cadence are just fun. Plus, I think I just kind of get him. Ultimately, I think he's my favorite because I spend enough time trying to get into his head that he's the one character I feel like I can plop into virtually any situation and still know what he'd do. His arc is very heavily rooted in self-reliance, and this attitude of making himself the best version of himself (whatever that means in the moment) and it appeals to me. Of everyone on the show, he gets the least help or support, and he still manages the unimaginable. I love putting him in situations where he gets just a bit more love to see what he can really blossom into. 

That being said, I generally like to treat them all kindly, so I spend a great deal of time trying to get in their heads and make the characters are fully human as I can. I want to write them all with some degree of empathy, even when it all hits the fan. 

Which story of yours are you most proud of and which was the hardest to write?

The Zeppo in Time is my favorite. Getting to help Xander live up to his potential in a way he wasn't able to on the show just felt good. Plus, Spike and Xander have this amazing buddy-cop potential, and I had a blast writing them as good friends. They just have such a fun energy together. I think it turned out better than I ever expected it would and is just overall a fun world to put together. 

Morning Stretches, I think, was the hardest to write. It's not quite, but almost all smut. And while I think it actually turned out great, I struggled quite a bit with keeping the tone where I wanted. As much fun as smut is to write, I actually find it fairly difficult and worry the most about how it's turning out. So that fic (with 6 of 8 chapters) being built up and smut) was absolutely the most challenging to date. 

As a writer, what would you have changed on the show and why?

Oh God! So much. Haha. That's why we write fic, isn't it? If everything had been exactly as I wanted, there would be no reason to write anything. I'd just keep watching it and write in other verses. What makes this world so fun to explore is all the potential for other avenues that things could have gone. I write a lot of fix-its and season re-writes, so, clearly I can see a lot options for how it could have gone. 

If I had to pick only one thing? It would be a Spike + Buffy real relationship earlier in the series and giving them some together, them vs. the world time. A change to the middle/end of season 6 and then Season 7 with them taking on the world really together with a lot of their mess sorted out would be my jam. 

Yes! YES! We wanted to see a real relationship happen on the show, too. Even if it was only a few episodes! Write that next, please! :) Thank you for being here! We're so thrilled to have you!!

__________


Next up is our Commenter of the Month: Jen

Tell us how you got into Buffy the show and Buffy fanfic.

I was like 13 when the movie came out, and as I have said since ’92: “If a budding feminist in the target age range doesn’t like it, then that tells you something.”  I knew the show had good reviews, and since I live in this world, I knew major plot points, but I still thought, “Pfft, I’m not watching that.” And for the first three seasons, I didn’t.  Before Season 4 premiered, my friend told me that Cibo Matto had played The Bronze, and as a big Cibo fan, I decided to give the show a real chance.  By “Hush”, I was majorly hooked.  By the Season 5 premiere, I was having watch parties in my dorm (I remember the absolute screams of everyone at the end of “Out of My Mind” and my boyfriend went as Spike for Halloween that year).

I had bought The Watcher Guide to bring me up to speed, and my boyfriend and I scoured the internet to try to figure out how to watch “The Wish” (there wasn’t—we had to make do with transcripts and screen grabs), and that’s when I found fanfic.  I wasn’t a shipper per se (and honestly, I’m still not) so I would read Bangel and Spuffy indiscriminately. As long as it was well-written, doesn’t dunk on Buffy, stays true to character if the fic is not AU, I’d give it a whirl. 

I got back into the fandom after I wanted to see if Buffy held up for me after I read Evan Ross Katz’s book.  It did, and honestly, I think I get more out of the show now, and I love the character of Buffy so much. It was also interesting to start from the beginning because Spike’s arc is really profound.  I started wracking my brain to remember the fics that I had read so long ago.  I found SAD on Instagram since I had liked other Buffy stuff and that’s what brought me to this site (thank you!!).

What motivates you to leave comments?

Guilt isn’t the right word, but I feel like I need to make amends to the authors from 20+ years ago that I hungrily waited for updates from and didn’t say anything. If a busy person is writing something that I really enjoyed and is giving the world such a gift for free, then dang it, I should say something.

Do you also write or are you strictly a reader?

Reader.  I enjoy writing, and I can write a mean essay or personal narrative, but I have never been good at fiction. 

Were you a lurker before you started leaving comments or did you comment right away? 

Lurker all the way, and then I would inbox people.  I just looked at when I started leaving feedback last year, and I think what shook me out of being a lurker was the fact that I read stories that made me cry. If you are writing fiction about a show that ended over two decades ago, and it brought me to tears—you deserve some public feedback.

How important is it to receive a reply from the writer when you leave a comment?

It’s not necessary, but I’m not gonna lie—it feels really nice!

I want to add that I love this community!  I know that all fandoms have their toxic components, so I really enjoy the positive vibe that the folks on this site have (and that nothing seems to be taken too seriously).

Jen, this is where I tell you that you are SO WELCOME to write some essays for the site using the META tag! We would love that! And we love that you found us and are enjoying SAD! We really want people to walk away from here at the end of the day feeling like it was a positive experience! So, thank you for that! Essay essay essay! :) 

And that's a big ol' wrap on SOTM for September! Y'all have fun with Missing Pieces! 
<3
Chelle, Dusty, GetItDone, and GriefCounseling

I think you all know what time it is, if you look in your hearts.

It’s time to get ready for another Sunnydale After Dark writing event this September: Missing Pieces 2025!

“That sounds amazing! Wait, what is that?” you might have screamed. Well, we’ll tell you!

This event focuses on the missing scenes from our beloved shows, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and even Angel: The Series if you so choose. What happened between the scenes–or between the sheets if you’re naughty–when the cameras weren’t rolling? What happened when someone left a room? What happened before they arrived somewhere? 

We are asking you to fill in the missing pieces with a story, or perhaps a piece of artwork!

Written entries must be canon compliant. That means whatever missing piece you write cannot alter the existing universe of the show, or change the timeline in any way. You can use parts of the episodes to help set up your missing pieces, or to help tie them up in the end. (And what a nice time to use the amazing Transcript Library we have here at SAD!) It might seem daunting until you realize just how many missing pieces there are.

What happened between seasons 5 and 6? Yeah, we’ll never be tired of this one!

What was happening inside The Bronze while Spike and Buffy shared their first kiss?

When Thanksgiving dinner was over, did Spike have to wash dishes with arrows still in his chest?

The possibilities are endless, but the challenge is keeping the show intact while telling an interesting Spuffy side-plot that we never knew existed! Not until your beautiful brain created it!

• Your story must be a minimum of 1000 words to qualify. You can write a one shot or a multi-chapter fic if you want, and it does not have to be completed to earn an award. 

• There is no limit with artwork, as long as it doesn’t change the universe as we know it.

If you are an author, artist, beta reader, or commenter for this event, you will earn an award. Comments follow the standard 15/15 rule: 15 words or more in a single comment, and a minimum of 15 comments to earn it! Easy, peasy!

We can already hear the DVDs cracking open, the VCRs warming up, and the Hulu Streams getting a workout as we all rewatch our favorite show to find the perfect missing scene!

It kicks off on September 1, so get your butts ready for some fun!

We’re excited to see what you come up with!

-SADmins

Hello, everyone! We hope you all enjoyed Wanderlust! We certainly did! You guys did an amazing job! And we're still trying to figure out where the heck three whole years went! The time has flown by because you ALL make our jobs so fun here. It's an honor and privilege to work behind the scenes for you. We adore you ALL!

And we are thrilled to bring you the new SOTM interviews to celebrate. First up, we have our Author of the Month: gwennie

Tell us how you got into Buffy the show and Buffy fanfic.

I was lucky enough to watch as a teenager when it first aired, but I didn’t start reading fanfic until years later when I got re-obsessed with the show. I rewatched incessantly, and then began gobbling up fanfic in an attempt to sate the clamouring need for MORE.

Maternity leave prompted me to jump from reading to writing. A month into my leave, I could feel my brain atrophying. So, between baby-feedings, I started writing in an attempt to exercise a brain cell or two. Initially, I had no intention of posting anything; I just wanted to play with the characters, to smoosh them together like Barbie and Ken dolls. And then change a few elements and smoosh them together again.

Where do you find inspiration for your stories?

For me, it usually starts with the show and with my desire for either more or different.

What don’t we see? What happens before and after scenes? Where can I shoehorn in Spuffy smut, conversation, and intimacy? 

What aspects of characters are not given time or attention? What topics are broached and then abandoned? 

What’s annoying or unsatisfying in canon? What do I want to tweak or gloss over or recontextualize or scrub from the record entirely?

Who is your favorite character to write and why?

I find the English characters much easier to write than the Americans, and Giles is by far the easiest for me. The fact that my stories aren’t all lazily written entirely from his POV is a miracle.

Which story of yours are you most proud of, and which was the hardest to write?

I’m horribly British and riddled with diffidence, so the idea that I could ever be proud of something I’ve written is genuinely unfathomable to me.

As to which of my stories was the hardest to write, that’s a sixteen-way tie between the sixteen stories in my WIP folder. They sit there, unfinished and festering. Occasionally, I poke at one of them, removing an adjective or shifting a speech tag. Occasionally, I write a new scene that does absolutely nothing to advance the plot.

Most of the time, though, I simply glare at them, refusing to abandon them entirely but never willing to put in the work to actually finish ’em.

As a writer, what would you have changed on the show and why?

I’m not being hyperbolic when I say I could very easily list a hundred changes. And that’s not to disparage the show; the more I love a story, the more likely I am to want to prise it open and rearrange its innards.

But rather than bore anyone with a bloated list, I’m going to mention just one teeny change I would’ve liked:

I wish Sunnydale hadn’t been destroyed in the finale. 

After appearing in all 144 episodes, poor Sunnydale is blithely dismissed as collateral damage in a shonky CG sequence (a sequence that inexplicably moves Sunnydale inland).

Looking beyond the subpar CG, I’m just not convinced that imploding Sunnydale serves any narrative or thematic purpose. Destroying the Hellmouth? Yep, sure, absolutely. That’s a perfect way to untether Buffy from the burden of constant slaying. But I don’t see what’s gained narratively or thematically by destroying the town as well.

That said, if I’m being honest, the overriding reason I’d love Sunnydale to survive the finale is pure selfishness. The destruction of the town means that fanfic authors can’t easily set their post-series fics in Sunnydale. And I think losing the show’s setting is a big honking loss for post-series BtVS fanfic. 

Or maybe we just need a new AU: Sunnydale (Lives) After Dark? Everything else in Chosen can stay the same, but the town survives.

Thank you, gwennie! And consider this massive encouragement to write a whole fanfic about Spuffy from Giles' POV. We want it! Badly! We wanna know all his thoughts and feelings and see them through his eyes. :)

__________

Next up, we have our Commenter of the Month: Stephaniem191

Tell us how you got into Buffy the show and Buffy fanfic. 

So, I initially watched Buffy when it aired.  I am basically the same age as Buffy, so I was watching in high school, and I distinctly remember gathering together with my floor mates in someone's room to watch in college.  I own all of the DVD box sets for Buffy (and Angel), but didn't watch them for a while.  Then COVID hit, and we were stuck at home.  I think Hulu (or Netflix) was airing the seasons again (along with Dawson's Creek), so I decided to watch the whole series again in order.  I was searching the internet for the proper viewing order between episodes of Buffy and Angel, and stumbled upon fan fiction.  I know I must have been living under an actual rock, but I had never really read fanfic, let alone heard of it.  My eyes were opened that day, and I never turned back!

What motivates you to leave comments?

I feel like it's the least I can do to show my appreciation for those of you that take the time to write AND share your stories with the world.  I haven't been reading as much lately because real life has been hectic, but I do appreciate all that you authors share with us!! Sometimes I get so into a story I forget to leave a comment on the chapter because I can't wait to click "Next"!

Do you also write, or are you strictly a reader?  

hahahaha I am strictly a reader!  No one would want to read a story I would write.  This is why I teach Math instead of English!

Were you a lurker before you started leaving comments, or did you comment right away?

I was definitely a lurker at first.  I honestly thought no one would care about my opinion of a story haha.  I eventually saw how much the writers appreciated the comments, so I decided that I needed to show how much I appreciated their work by commenting!

How important is it to receive a reply from the writer when you leave a comment?

I think it's nice for them to reply, but it's not necessary for me!  They already do so much work in writing and editing the story that they do not need to worry about replying to little old me! 

I just wanted to add that I absolutely love this site, and I wish I could read your stories all day long! You all amaze me with these ideas that you come up with and how you are able to coherently put those ideas together into these fantastic worlds! Thank you!!

We are thrilled to have you here, Stephanie! Your comments are incredible, and this site exists for you and all the fans. :)

<3<3<3

That's a big ol' wrap on July! See you next month! Get your nominations in now. :)

Chelle, Dusty, GetItDone, and GriefCounseling

It's crazy that it's already June! We're excited to honor these two members! 

First up, we have our Author of the Month: lilacsandorangeblossoms

Tell us how you got into Buffy the show and Buffy fanfic.

I can’t remember the first time I got into the show but I remember the second time I really got into the show it was in 2023. Our puppy Hazel and she would not stop barking. I was trying anything to get her to be quiet, she didn’t like Gilmore girls which is our other dog’s favorite show. I was flipping through the channels and saw Buffy was on. I clicked on it and Hazel was fascinated. She stopped barking and laid down. I got into Buffy the second time because it makes my dog stop barking. And now if we are watching Buffy and I’m not in the room when it comes back for commercial she barks to tell me it’s back on. 

I got into writing Buffy because as I was falling asleep one night I had a thought about Dawn and Connor and how they would make such a cute couple. And then I started thinking about my favorite couple Buffy and Spike and I couldn’t stop coming up with ideas for them.

Where do you find inspiration for your stories?

Everywhere,  Listening to the lyrics of a song I think of Spuffy. I want Spuffy to do something and I think of a story to go around that idea. Usually I’m watching the show and I go hmmm Spuffy should be together in this season or what if she was pregnant.

Who is your favorite character to write and why?

Spike, I love using his pet names for Buffy or for Dawn. How Spike can go from the sweetest I'm with my girl I love her so much to I just killed that guy or demon. There are so many sides to Spike. He is a poet, lover, demon and he is worldly. 

Which story of yours are you most proud of and which was the hardest to write?

The story I’m most proud of is Ready for it? I hadn’t read many stories where Buffy gets turned into a vampire before she moves to Sunnydale and she is on Spike’s side when they go to Sunnydale. Buffy’s new family is Spike, Dru and Darla. It was the first story I posted on SAD. It pushed me out of my comfort zone having a smut scene almost every chapter and the first time I wrote kink in this instance daddy kink. Buffy calls Spike daddy. 

The hardest to write is Cherish the day. There is a lot of lore in that story. And it spans from 1880 to now. Buffy was cursed to die on her 27th birthday and then she comes back but because she was with William when the curse was cast he was sucked into the curse too. He dies of a broken heart every time. I still need to figure out how Buffy comes back every time. 

As a writer, what would you have changed on the show and why?

I would have had Buffy tell Spike she loves him earlier so we could see Buffy and Spike mutually in love with each other and being happy. Buffy and Spike going on dates, patrolling together, coming home and cuddling in her bed or movie nights with Dawn with Spuffy cuddling on the couch. Holding hands and being so incredibly in love with each other. 

We absolutely agree with you on what you would have changed! How great would that have been? YOU ARE AMAZING! Also, your dog sounds like perfection!

____________

Next up is our Commenter of the Month: Slaymesoftly

Tell us how you got into Buffy the show and Buffy fanfic.

Oh wow, well I got into the show immediately, but for the first two years had to catch it in bits and pieces when I was somewhere with cable. Then we got better TV, and I could watch in real time while I caught up on what I'd missed in reruns. I got into fanfic because I fell in love with Spike shortly after he stepped out of the car. (Perhaps a teeny exaggeration, but not much) LOL And I went searching the internet for information about both Spike and James. Which somehow, let me to websites I'd never know existed.... and to fanfic. About Spike. And that was that....

What motivates you to leave comments?

As a writer myself, I know how good it feels that someone has taken the time to tell you they enjoyed your efforts (and what it was they enjoyed about it - which I don't do often enough, but am trying to get better). So, if/when I get into a story, I try to remember to leave something for each chapter. I also try not to get myself into trouble by raving about a first chapter or so, only to find myself losing interest and then feeling like shit if I stop commenting. So, sometimes I wait until I'm sure. But, if I'm reading it, then I obviously like it, so I say so. 

Do you also write or are you strictly a reader?

I do. Although not as prolifically as I did over 20 years ago when I first started. And I've been reading fanfic set in the Buffyverse (including Angel) since sometime before that. Probably shortly after I found it existed.

Were you a lurker before you started leaving comments or did you comment right away?

Oh, definitely a lurker. I had no idea you could or should comment. The first time I commented on a fic was on "Journeys" by Mary on All About Spike. I was just blown away by it, and sent a babbling, gushing, apologetic for bothering her, incoherent message to her. Had/have no idea if she ever saw it or not. I met her in person many years later at a Writer Con, and told her about it. She just laughed. Anyway, eventually I learned about reviews and comments and began to leave more coherent ones where archives made that possible. But for those first couple of years, probably not.

How important is it to receive a reply from the writer when you leave a comment?

As I writer, I think a simple "thank you" shouldn't be beyond anyone's reach; however, I'm not overly bothered by it if/when it doesn't happen. If I'm really into a story with lots of plot lines, I may comment on those, and if I asked a question, I do appreciate an answer. But I try to limit my questions and trust the writer to sort things out. I've had some fun back and forth with a few writers, but I don't expect that all the time.

PS This whole site is made of awesome sauce!

PPS  If a fic is posted more than one place that I read at, I will make an effort to read and comment on SAD. The more the merrier, right?

We think YOU are made of awesome sauce, Slaymesoftly! And we're so happy to have you! You're incredible!

_____

That's a wrap! We hope you guys are enjoying Wanderlust!
Chelle, Dusty, GriefCounseling, and GetItDone

Pack your bags and board that ship!

Check your car’s fluids and hit the road!

Hop on a plane and fly to places unknown!

Travel back in time to the past, or leap into the future!

We don’t care how you get there, as long as you get there! Why?

Sunnydale After Dark is giving you 30 vacation days to take a trip!

This June, event fics and art entries will revolve around traveling. All forms of travel are permitted. Road trips! Airplanes! Cruise ships! 1980s DeLoreans with flux capacitors! Portals to another dimension! Who doesn’t love a good travel story? Art is also welcome. Maybe it’s a postcard from our favorite couple hand-crafted by you! The only limit is your imagination! Look at all these exclamation points!

• Your story must be a one-shot of at least 1000 words to qualify. Multi-chapter fics are also allowed, and they can continue post-event if you don’t complete them during your Wanderlust vacation. Drabbles do not count–your chapters must be at least 1000 words. 
• Artwork can include banners for other fics, and/or standalone piece submissions. 
• All entries must be posted by June 30th at midnight site time to receive an award. 

Speaking of awards… let’s talk more about them!

• All authors will receive the Travel Agent award!
• All artists will receive the Concierge award!
• All betas will receive the TripAdvisor award!
• And if you leave 15 comments of 15+ words, you will receive the Sightseer award!

But wait, there’s more!

In addition to these awards, we’ve put together a fun challenge with extra Wanderlust vacation days. If you decide to take the challenge, we will give you a passport to travel to different locations* and collect stamps. 

*A location is a story or an art submission posted only for this event, and you earn your stamp by leaving a comment with no less than 15 words. You only receive one stamp per story, so get your comfy walking shoes on and go sightseeing! 

Participants who traveled everywhere will earn the Mile-High Club Award! That means you left at least one comment on every single submission and stamped your passport to win this award–no exceptions. It’s the most illustrious of awards, so you gotta earn it! 

We SADmins understand how difficult this might be with last-minute submissions, so we’ve extended your “vacation days” to catch up on all the locales you missed along the way.

You have until July 7th at midnight site time to turn in your passport to the SADmin team to earn the award. Delivery instructions are in the Passport.

Get your passport now! Please save it as a Google Sheets File so you can fill it out as the event rolls on. Downloading it or saving it as another file type will not carry over the correct formatting, and you won't be able to "stamp" your location!

I hope you’re excited, because we sure are! Start brainstorming travel stories & artwork now, because Wanderlust 2025 begins on the first of June! 

Let’s get the heck outta here!

-SADmin Team

Short & Spuffy Drabblemania has come to a close, and we could not be more proud of our community! At the time of this post, all awards have been distributed. If you have not received your awards, please contact the SADmin team so we can help get you squared away.

Before we get to the pretty, pretty awards, we have some stats to share. Who doesn’t love stats?

26 authors wrote a total of 32 Short & Spuffy stories, consisting of 857 drabbles.

3 authors submitted their very first story to Sunnydale After Dark for this event. Welcome!!

71 new members joined the archive during this event. Welcome to you, too!!

132 members left comments on the Short and Spuffy stories for a grand total of 15,042 comments and 14,785 likes. Wow! That’s a lot of love!

One wheel ruled them all on Discord. Thank you, wheel. We all love wheel.

Now let’s take a long, heavy-breathed gander at these gorgeous awards made by our very own scratchmeout!

Aren’t these so beautiful? The talent on this site continues to amaze us. Every author, artist, beta reader, reader-reader, and commenter deserves a huge pat on the back. And probably a long, much-needed nap! 

Thank you for making this another awesome event!

Until next time… 

The Short & Spuffy drabble event has officially begun! 

We will be updating this list daily by 12 a.m. site-time with the randomly-selected prompts for the day.

If you would like to join the fun on Discord and be there for the prompt selection ritual, errrr I mean the random prompt selection and discussion! then go here!

Remember that the prompts do not need to be used in the order they are revealed! All event rules and reminders can be found here. Please always feel free to reach out to an admin with any questions you have. 

MASTER PROMPT LIST:

1. Harmony

2. Surprise Phone Call

3. The Heart Line

4. Lies and Lullabies

5. Butterflies

6. Something You Forgot

7. Not My Fault!

8. "You've done it now!"

9. Wildflowers

10. "You need a spanking!"

11. Frogs

12. Pillow Talk

13. Confusing Tears

14. Hole in my Soul

15. Drunk Confession

16. "She's a hero, you see."

17. I like you.

18. Scavenger Hunt

19. The stars rearrange

20. Don't say it

21. Resistance

22. Not afraid

23. Easy-peasy

24. Playing hard to get

25. Don't Move

26. Stay with me

27. A turn for the worse

28. Metamorphosis

29. Someone's jealous

30. Buffy or Spike gets a love bite

31. *FREE DAY* (This is an optional, promptless drabble day if you need a buffer to wrap up your story)

Happy Drabbling!