moscow_watcher | (no subject)

Two weeks ago a BNA reposted her old Spike-bashing fic from FF.net on her LJ. Surprisingly, it hurt me and it still hurts. Two weeks has passed and I can't forget about this occurrence. I'm writing this post because I can't get it out of my mind. Hopefully I'll feel better when I put my frustrations into words. Grr.

You may stop here or read the whole rant.

It's weird to see such intense hate more than three years after the ending of the show.

Interestingly, this BNA is a professional writer. There is an adage in Russia that writers are engineers of the souls. I suppose this particular BNA realises how painful for Spike fans is the fic in which souled Spike deliberately leaves Scoobies to die in the Hellmouth; in which souled Spike consistently makes Buffy's life miserable; in which Buffy is unrelentless in her Spike-hate. But the BNA deems appropriate to remind about her dislike of Spike today, when the shows are long over.

I'm trying to understand why it hurts so much. I consider myself a thick-skinned fan. I've been called a rapist-lover and just shrugged it off as people's inability to keep civil discussions. But it was back then, when the show was on air. Now it's over. Long ago. Why the hate is still alive and kicking?

Wait. I think I got it. At least partially. Often frustrations trigger people's creativity and make them write. It's frustrations that make me write this post. Could it be frustrations that make this particular BNA write? Could it be hate that fuels her passion for Jossverse? May she write her fics to exorcize her frustrations like I write his post to exorcise my frustrations?

But the problem is that it isn't a new fic. It was written in 2003. And it wasn't reposted on LJ for archiving purposes - the writer could archive it on her site. Did she do it just to make Spike fans squirm? Or could reposting of an old text and seeing it in a new environment also work as an act of creation?

Hopefully, yes. Hopefully, revisiting the old fic will help this BNA to exorcise her Spike-hate.

OK. Deep breath.

Am I subjective? I think I am. Are there other characters-bashing fics online? Sure. Then am I a hypocrite who applies double-standards to "her" hero and other characters? Tricky question.

I know I can't be objective when it comes to Spike but I remember reading fics in which other characters were portrayed in a negative light and, while not approving bashing, I usually look at these scenes with "yeah, whatever" attitude. Surely fans who are neither Spike-haters nor attached to Spike read this Spike-bashing fic with the same "yeah, whatever" rolleye.

So - I know I have no right to critisize. Spike still gets strong reaction from both fans and antis. At least I can't remember any other old other-character-bashing-fics freshly reposted online. And I won't disclose BNA's name.

OK. I learned the lesson. To avoid fics written by ficwriters who are passionate about other heroes, unless the fics are recommended by fans I know. Because passion and hate often go hand in hand.

Now I wonder if I'll be able to get rid of negative emotions when I post this rant online. If not, I'll write part deux. (Just kidding)

Threaded | Flat

I saw the fic you're talking about, and apart from the fact I didn't think it was all that well written, found it a rather odd, abet callous tale that left a rather bad taste in my mouth, but then I suppose as a Spike fan I would wouldn't I.

Folks like that want to rile certain fans up, but I think the best way is to try and put it to the back of your mind and forget it.

That story is more then forgetable for a start!

For myself, the best approach is to realize that these things don't really matter. The people who will read (and "enjoy") this fic, felt this way beforehand. You're right. It was actually penned to upset Spike fans. Therefore, my best response is to shrug and say it doesn't matter. As it's not the response that the writer is looking for, it probably upsets them.

At any rate, I understand why it irks you. It is irksome. Just realize that they look ridiculous and like a very poor fanfic writer.

The best thing to do is ignore it. If the fiction was written with the purpose of upsetting Spike fans, the best thing we can do is to avoid it. There are a good amount of Buffy fans who are die hard Spike haters, if that fiction is their cup of tea let them be happy with it. Thankfully, there are also great Spike writers in the community, lets focus on them.

I know how you feel

I can't stand character bashing, I'm a hige Spike fan but just stopped readinga fic whic turned into a " let's bash Angel and Buffy" fest

I hate it when someone does that to my favourite character and consider it horribly out of character when Buffy is turned into Queen Bitch or Angel into a weak bully or whatever

Good writers don't need to take another character down in order to build their favourite character up

I don't get cross I just stop reading and mark that author down as one to avoid in future

The Spike haters out there will always be out there. Some people have never forgiven Joss for the way Chosen and NFA ended because they believe that they were entitled to a "happy ever after" for Angel and Buffy. And because they didn't get that, it somehow became Spike's fault, which, IMO, speaks a lot more to their own issues than dissing a fictional character.
I'm sure there's tons of Angel hating tales, Willow hating tales, Buffy hating tales, Xander hating tales, etc.
Best to ignore them and remember all the really good writers out there who aren't interested in trashing one character for the sake of another.

прочла краткое описание обсуждаемого фика. какой-то бред. бросьте читать пакости всякие, васкез, и не забивайте голову. лучше перечитайте что-нибудь из старого доброго, а еще лучше напишите свой собственный фик с таким спайком, каким сами его видите или хотите видеть. авторша, похоже, просто неудовлетворена всем в этой жизни и к тому же завистлива. вот и пытается привлечь к себе внимание подобным низкопробным способом. знаете, мне к случаю вспоминается фанское письмо в один из номеров журнала баффи оффисиал. содержание приблизительно следующее: "дорогая редакция, не понимаю, почему все так любят спайка? я вот его ненавижу. так ненавижу, что создала на эту тему сайт и пишу вам об этом." по-моему, ситуация - обхохочешься))

А "пестики и тычинки" именно из этого нового фика????? Я уже неделю на них в засаде сижу!:)))
С моей бурной фантазией это боооольшааая наряжёнка - нельзя было так дразнить!Да ещё и картинки показывать;)

I read that story as well. For the one and only time in my life I wrote a negative review. I thought the story was completely out of character, especially for Buffy. She wrote Buffy as a horrible, unrecognizable person. It was awful. Real Buffy has her faults but her Buffy was insane!

In the end I went back and erased my review, I just couldn't bring myself to be negative in a review. It's like telling someone that their baby is ugly, its just something I can't do. But I came close.