(no subject)

[rusty_halo]

There are a couple of things from yesterday's deleted post that I still want to mention:

1. I'd really like to archive more slash, especially S/X (which is a pairing that I love yet which isn't well-represented on my site at all). The problem is that I don't know where to find well-written S/X that isn't by wiseacress, Anna S., Mad Poetess, or Estepheia (and I also should have added LadyCat). I'm sure it's out there, so if you have any recommendations please send them. (I want stuff that feels *in character* and fits within canon or at least within canoncial subtext). kimberly_a already recommended:

This is a repost of Kimberly's reply:

You want S/X recs? I've got S/X recs! (I'll leave off everything by wiseacress, Anna S., Mad Poetess, and Estepheia, since you're already familiar with their stories.) Here goes (in no particular order, though I can reorder them by some critera if you like ... most are NC-17):

"Soul" by LadyCat (WIP)
"Hunt Brother" by LadyCat (WIP)
"Repossession" by Lazuli.kat (WIP)
"Hunger" by Lazuli.kat
"We're not gay. We're just friends. Who have sex." by Juliatheyounger
"Escape" by Juliatheyounger
"Truth Or Dare" by Byrne
"Day of Days" & "Night of Nights" by Sajinn
"Lost" by Velvet Crypt
"Chocolate Hurricane" by Cicirossi
"Precious" by MJ Gage
"Sweet Revenge" by Jackson
"Night Watch" by the Webrain

Most of those are pretty darn smutty, 'cause that's what I look for, 'cause I'm a perv. ;)

2. I archived zero's "Cracked." This story is very, very dark. The first time I read it made me terribly upset, but then I couldn't get it out of my head; it's haunting and beautifully written. So, if you haven't read it, I highly recommend it.

And if you find it upsetting, I also recommend Caro's "Sound and Fury" which should cheer you right up.

3. I would love for someone to beta this essay for grammar, organization, and content. If interested, please get in touch.

That's it. Oh and thanks again to the very sweet people who replied yesterday and made me feel better. If I haven't written back to you yet, I will do so shortly.

Comments

[drdawn.livejournal.com]

I've read alot of that list and liked them. Also--Try Trading Places at http://archive.shriftweb.org/archive/14/tradingplaces.html

[wickedprincess3.livejournal.com]

Oh, thank you for archiving "Cracked" by Zero! (even if it is very dark) Have written zero long letter of feedback for this wonderful story. Thank you for making sure the good stuff gets out there. But please relax! Coming from a working student I can't imagine doing that and trying to keep up with the stuff you do!

Spike and Andrew slash

[wickedprincess3.livejournal.com]

Tucker's Brother by Jess Walker
Its a strange pairing and the Andrew voice isn't that great (but was written before the character had been fleshed out) It's a funny story and I love anything that draws lines between these two.

[estepheia.livejournal.com]

To be honest, I don't think there is an awful lot of redemptionist slash around that can proudly claim to have characterisations close to canon. Some S/X is hot on a pornographic level (hey, not complaining here), but you don't get authentic voices or characterisations. Some stories have good voices and good smut - but nothing else. No theme, no discourse.

Ladymoluk/Jenny Chrighton writes a lot of Spike slash, and often Spike is portrayed as not-so-evil. But the stories are romance plus kink plus graphic porn - and not about redemption. I don't always agree with the characterisation, and I don't like all her stuff, but maybe you'd like to have a look for yourself. At least she has plot, support characters and ideas which haven't been done to death. Plus the stories are long and technically well done. Her pairings are S/Angel and S/Giles, occasionally with Wes thrown in.
http://www.squashduck.com/~ltd/index.htm

Xanpet's stuff you can find at my site. She writes plot driven stories that do not ignore the fact that Spike is a vampire. There is smut, but also adventure, but I don't think there's a lot of focus on the redemtpion, either. I like her stories because the characters don't act girly and because her Spike is snarky.

I am a very nitpicky slash reader. I read a lot but most stories I forget moments later. I often feel like S/X is my favourite junk food, satisfying in a rushed sort of way, but not the kind of meal where the flavour lingers. Exceptions are of course Anna S and Mad Poetess. I also think that Juliatheyounger's slash is very good.

I also liked "Heat" by Two Ladies of ? (Darn can't remember the name, it's set in a Turkish Bath). I will try to find a few more links/stories for you.

You might like Rune's story Never say Never. That is worth archiving. Definitely.
http://www.elusive-soul.com/neversaynever.html

[kimberly-a.livejournal.com]

Just wanted to point out that my recs aren't necessarily remarkable in-character stuff. I'm annoyed by fics that get really out-of-character, but all of the ones I recommended stayed within bounds I could respect, even if they took the characters in unexpected directions. I don't mind some creative license.

Also, I hadn't really thought about whether they were redemptionist. But most of what I read and *like* does tend in that direction, 'cause I'm a sappy sucker for redemption.

[rusty_halo.livejournal.com]

They don't have to be *about* redemption by any means. I "expanded" my definition of "redemption" a long time ago; most of the stories on my site don't deal with Spike's redemption explicity. I believe that Spike's redemption came about/could have come about because of his unique character; therefore any story that writes Spike's *character* well is "redemptionist" to me (even if it doesn't have a happy ending or if the writer doesn't consider him/herself to be a "redemptionist.")