Five Fics that were Well-Written in 2008

[hello-spikey.livejournal.com]

These are all in my (can I say expert? certainly not "humble") opinion exceedingly well-written.
They make me cry and sob "I'm a hack!"
But, you know, in a good way.

Last Known Address by Girlpire. Superb pacing, characterization, scene-setting, plot, horror elements that give a real frission down the spine! She even manages to have a "kid who never talks" without making one roll ones eyes! Every minor character feels fully-fleshed and every scene is grounded in rich human emotion. If she weren't so nice I'd have to hate her with an undying jealous passion for being better than me!!!



Not Dead by Herself_NYC. Herself's work is always unhurried, graceful, and dignified. She puts us inside Buffy's head and paints an intimate portrait of what it might be like to be turned into a vampire. Every visceral detail is poignant and purposeful, from the smell of Spike's tears to the taste of a wild horse.

Off Route 17 by Clawofcat. My god do you realize how good this must be for me to be rec'ing Bangel???? Clawofcat is always pushing her own boundaries, which makes everything she writes a delight to read. This "fill in the gap" story has movement and purpose and achingly draws post-resurrection Buffy for us.

Nothing to Lose by Ash-carpenter. A fill-in-the-gap like you've never seen. Ash presents a pairing most would deem unlikely - hell, they never met on the show - and makes it completely believable, neigh unto canon! The emotions are complex, the setting well realized, and, as one would expect from Ash, the sex is screen-melting@

Grandmother's Footsteps by Shapinglight.
Just a short little piece, but excellent in its execution. Our awareness of the full situation dawns as slowly as Angelus'. Well, maybe not quite as slowly. Subtle humor that plays for high stakes.

Comments

[yourlibrarian]

And I was just wondering where all the Buffy/Angel is! Thanks for the rec :>

[debris4spike]

Good to see some recs of pairings I normally wouldn't read ... Thank you for those.

[clawofcat.livejournal.com]

OMG...

I'm overwhelmed. You rec'd me with Jen, Nancy, Ash and Deb!? Squee!! These are my favorite writers. I'm so, so flattered to be in such wonderful company. Thanks, M. And thanks for reccing "Off Route 17." I'm so proud of that story and I personally think it's my best of 2008.

I was waiting for girlpire to write more of "Address," but I might just cave and gobble up what's already been posted. *hugs*

[clawofcat.livejournal.com]

Oh, don't you worry. I have a Buffy/Angel rec post I've been working on. I'll probably post it later today or tomorrow ;)

[shapinglight]

Thank you so much for the rec. Much appreciated, especially in such august company.

[hello-spikey.livejournal.com]

Thanks for that! I don't normally read Buffy/Angel... color me stereotypical spike fanatic. It's kinda cute, you find yourself reflexively taking your favorite vampire's side when there's a rivalry. *rolls eyes at self*

[hello-spikey.livejournal.com]

There's pairings I don't normally read, too... I mean, anything without Spike in it! :D

But good writing transcends!

[hello-spikey.livejournal.com]

It is august company! And you are in it.

*bows and worships in your general direction*
:D

"Address" is pure crack. I want to tie that girl to her keyboard!!

[hello-spikey.livejournal.com]

And the august company could not be complete without you!

Well, from my vantage, anyway. It's a very pretty line-up. If I had to get stuck on a desert island with five buffy fic writers, these would be the ones I'd want. :D

[hello-spikey.livejournal.com]

Hope you enjoy it. :)

[girlpire.livejournal.com]

thanks so much for the rec! i'm absolutely flattered to be mentioned in the same post with these writers. :D i solemnly swear that i will finish "last known address" as soon as i can!

[hello-spikey.livejournal.com]

whee!!! yay!

Uh... I didn't just do that to guilt you into finishing!

[shapinglight]

Thank you. You'd be one of mine, incidentally.