bulletproof

The BtVS two-parter "This Year's Girl" and "Who Are You" has inspired many writers to look at what Buffy and Faith may have been feeling while in each other's bodies. What was it about these episodes, for you, that were so compelling?

Now, I know that the concept, having people stuck in each other's bodies, is not entirely a new one, but I think the fact that it's Buffy, Faith's Buffy, is what gives it that edge. What are you going to do when left all alone with the object of your desire, face to face, no barriers, even if it is only their body. This is the closest Faith can get to her and she knows it, and by God she'll go as far with it as she can if I have anything to say about it.

"Who You Are" has a unique perspective of Buffy as seen through Faith's eyes - harsher, almost desperate. (But then, that could just be Faith, projecting herself on Buffy.) How much of that rougher side do you think is shown on the show? Were there certain scenes that you used as a basis for that characterization? How much of your story is Faith talking about herself - or is that up to reader interpretation?

Well, I was *hoping* for reader interpretation, but I got a few complaints as to the vagueness of it all... Ah well, here's my chance to explain myself, I guess. I think Buffy... well Buffy's been pretty laughable this season, as a character that is. I don't know whether to put it up to Joss's indecisions as to where to take her or just that this is the way she always was destined to be. To me, Buffy's been portrayed as weak, submissive and anything but the Slayer I used to know and love. It's almost frustrating. And I also think Faith can see it. Can see that Buffy could be so much more than that bubble-headed teenybopper that she's regressed to. And so, I think that Buffy's rougher side is basically given minimal airtime in the JossVerse. Although, then there's the flipside of the coin. There's Faith, staring at the mirror, and though she's in someone elses body, it's still pretty hard to run from yourself.

I adore Faith, and I love stories about her that really seem to grab her inner conflict, as you do in "WYA". What draws you to write about Faith?

Faith. God, I could spend an eternity in her head and still have some left-over mysteries to unravel. There's just so much about her to play around with. She's so angry and lost and insecure and just plain fucked up that there's absolutely no way you can turn away from her. She's an amazing, beautiful creature, possibly one of the best that Joss has created. So much deeper and intriguing than the two-dimensional card-board cut-outs he's created for Season 4 (that's right, I hate Riley. Do NOT get me started).

It's pretty obvious that I love darker stories - why do you like to write them?

*sigh* here comes my confession: I spend most of my time writing fluff. B/A fluff at that. And so I know, first hand, that you can spend all day dreaming, hoping, whatever, you're still going to be left feeling empty. Darker stories, hmmm... The thing I love about darker stories is the fact that they're not too afraid to deal with the things that people normally shy away from. That they're quite happy to recognise the fact that there's some things that the censor left out. I'm a walking paradox. So shoot me.

Fanfiction - a fun, yet unique hobby. When did you first start writing fanfiction? How do you feel about the first story you wrote? Do you share your writing with friends and family?

Well, I think it's been a year since I wrote my first fic, a B/Aus piece that I look back on and well, cringe, quite simply. It's still not finished, and I don't really think I wanna touch it, haha. Umm, and no I absolutely do NOT share my writing with my friends and family. Good God, they'd go beserk. They have no clue and I'd like to keep it that way.

Now the cheesy question, but I must ask. Do you have a favorite BtVS/A:tS character and/or episode?

Ah, now see, that depends on how I'm feeling at any particular time on any particular day. That is, if I feel like some plotless, pointless fluff, or something more thought-provoking that'll leave me speechless for the next few hours. Well fluff-wise, I'm obviously going to go for Angel and IWRY, because, well, you figure it out, and on other days, (I'll normally head for fic, but that's not the question) I'm more inclined towards Faith and Who Are You? or Sanctuary. BUT as a general rule, I'm good for any eps that contain minimal a) Riley, b) whining (and my God, can the Scoobies whine), c) cheese (ie. scaling the moral high-ground).

Are there any routines you follow when you write? (as in music you listen to, a particular setting, etc.)

Haha, routines suggest order and planning. I'll just be glad to have a pen and paper if ever I get the urge to write. But, normally, if I'm writing the next part to a fic that I already have the basis for, I'll be in front of the computer with music appropriate for the mood blaring.

Are there any songs, stories, poems, etc. that inspire you?

Hmm, inspiration... well, considering the bulk of my songfics are by Jeff Buckley, I'd say he has a pretty big hand in it. Oh and Te (of the fic world) for writing the first slash fic that grabbed me. Oh, and Hth who writes beautifully; "Rumble Thy Bellyful" floored me.

Finally, who do you like to read, both in the fanfic world and published works?

haha published works, as if I can be bothered picking up a book! However, the last things I read (that I can remember) were Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh (yes, the movie, but read the book) and Jude, the Obscure by Thomas Hardy. Mostly, though, I read fic. And people that blow me away include: Laure Alexander, Kate Bolin, Katie Viecelli, Margot Le Faye, Tinkerbell, Claudia D. Christian, Harpy, Lex, Nymue... haha is that enough for you yet?

You can read more of bulletproof's fanfiction at her website fall in light.