|
BSV Forum - General - Recommendations Nominating in the Best Character categories Mar 08 2007 11:47 pm #1slaymesoftly The second place where I think people run into problems when nomming fics is when they include all-human fics in the “Best Buffy Characterization†or “Best Spike Characterization†category. Now here, I freely admit, I have some very strong prejudices that affect my thinking. Buffy and Spike (and Giles, and Angel and Faith and…) are WHO they are, to a very large extent because of WHAT they are. I don’t see where it is possible to separate them from their very natures and still expect them to have the same dynamic. Without the conflict provided by their backgrounds as Slayer and vampire, without the super powers that make them able to do and survive things that ordinary humans couldn’t,<I> without the experiences that have shaped their lives </I>– they cannot be Spike and Buffy. Not the Spike and Buffy who will exist forever on DVDs and in fan fiction. I am not a minion of Evil... I am upper management. Well, I do agree with you that experiences make the person who he or she is - and someone without a similar past is unlikely to make a convincing Buffy or Spike. But I think the Superpowers as part of that is taking things a little too far. I think that is part of what makes each of these characters special - they don't let WHAT they are (Slayer, vampire) determine WHO they are. To my way of thinking, Fics that miss that are just as far off as those that obsess about Spike's cheekbones or Buffy's hair. Cas Mar 09 2007 02:56 am #3slaymesoftly <i>- they don't let WHAT they are (Slayer, vampire) determine WHO they are. </i> I'd have to think about that. Much is made about Spike's going against his very nature to get his soul, Buffy's role as the Chosen One and the way it limits her options - I didn't mean superpowers in the sense that being extra strong or fast makes them who they are (although, a Buffy without her strength, speed and agility might certainly be a less confident person) so much as I did that those powers are a natural part of their personalities and approach to the world. Spike was forced to change his ways when he could no longer hunt and kill - stuff like that. Characters that have never had to deal with the situations brought on by what they are, are unlikely to have developed the same approach to the world. (How many 17-yr olds have to send their boyfriends to hell to save the world?) You are quite right, however, that a fic that focuses only on their supernatural powers can miss the essence of their personalities just as widely as those that focus on their obvious physical attributes. I am not a minion of Evil... I am upper management. | |||
Disclaimer If you are under the age of 17, please use your head and do not read fics that are labeled "NC-17". Parents, I cannot control what your children are reading, so please be advised that the majority of the fics archived here are NOT suitable for those under the age of 17. I do not own Buffy the Vampire Slayer and I am in no way making any profit from this site. This is for pure entertainment purposes only. Concept: (c)bringonthebloodshed.com (2004), Code & Design: (c)Diabola (2006), Graphics: Selene & Always |