I hate when I do that

[gwyn]

So, I decided to give the WIP thing the old college try and see if it works for me. I'm not sure yet how I feel, but I'll play it by ear and find out. If it ends up being not what I want to do, fraught with all the perils others warned me about, then I'll just finish this stupid thing and post it when it's done.

The Measure of a Man is the novel's name, and the first chapter is Mistakes Were Made. It's a Spike-as-human story, which I know most people -- like me -- hate, so there's your warning. ;-) I just hope I was able to make it a little different, give it something worthwhile.

And now off to bed after I re-read the_royal_anna's Chosen post again in an attempt to make me believe, hard as it is, and with thoughts of lordshiva's finished Nicolette coming up dancing in my head.

Comments

[lordshiva.livejournal.com]

It all spirals down the drain of his mind, crimson swirls, banshee screams that circle and whirl around him like a tornado. He is the eye; the storm his history. And it is all covered in blood.

This image gave me shivers. It's so desolate and stark, violent and inescapable.

I've read this before haven't I? (Seems like I have, I'm sure of it) I love it with huge sexy love. (Good writing is my ultimate kink, hot, hot, hot) It's a wonderful take on Spike as human.

[gwyn-r.livejournal.com]

I've read this before haven't I? (Seems like I have, I'm sure of it)

I don't think so, because I'm pretty sure I'd done that later on, but I'd shown the beginning paragraph to so many people that I can't keep track anymore. But I'm so glad you liked it -- it means a hell of a lot coming from you!

[onetwomany.livejournal.com]

Omg, that was grand. I am totally hooked already. There is just so much in that chapter to gush about, I'm not even sure where to start!

I don’t have the words to describe your characterisation of human!Spike. He was exactly how I imagined he would be, but so much more. So true, that he’s hidden for so long behind masks and created personas that he no longer has any idea who he is, or even who he should be. His pain and confusion were so vivid, so intense, that it felt like it was leaping off my computer screen and consuming me too. Completely tore my heart out, you did – which is a good thing!

I loved the interaction between Spike and Giles. That the Giles’ I longed to see on the show - a watcher who understood the immensity of what Spike did, and was both fascinated and slightly repelled by it. I loved how his (completely understandable) hesitancy to help the creature who hurt Buffy gave way beneath his inability to watch another creature suffer. Real!Giles, how I missed you!

Adored the descriptions of Bath, too. God I love that town.

I’m not exactly a fan of human!Spike stories either, but this is certainly one story I will follow to the bitter end. Write fast!

[gwyn-r.livejournal.com]

That's why I was so nosey about your trip to Bath -- I wanted to make sure everything I mentioned was still there, but it sounded like it was, so I sailed through.

I miss Real!Giles too, so very much. It's such a joy to write him, I'm going to have a hard time moving Spike on to other parts of his story -- but definitely Giles will play a further part in it. NO way am I letting him go! Thank you so much for your lovely comments -- I've had a hard time working on Ch. 2, and was glad this was finished before the finale left me so bereft. Compliments will, I hope, fuel the fire to keep going. ;-)

More? Please?

[barnfairy.livejournal.com]

I love your Spike (eventhough he's human). I love your Giles. I will most likely love your Willow and your Buffy and your Dawn and I was very very sad when I hit the button for chapter two only to find that there was none yet. Please write quickly!

Re: More? Please?

[gwyn-r.livejournal.com]

Thank you! And I didn't mean to torture you with the chapter 2 button -- I always put those when I'm posting in parts because I have such an unreliable and slow connection that uploading two files is just frustrating as hell. So I add that, and a blank page for the next part, in order to minimize my posting.

I'm horribly slow, and definitely had a hiccup with the finale, so I'm only haflway through the next chapter, but I'm trying to catch up!

[umbo.livejournal.com]

Liking very much so far, which is all I have time to say as I just spent half my lunch hour reading it ;-).

[monanotlisa.livejournal.com]

a Spike-as-human story, which I know most people -- like me -- hate

Often enough, they are quite awful. But it *can* be done-- think Serious Moonlight (one of my Top 3 fanfic stories ever). It's just that it takes an outstanding writer.
Thus, no worries here. & ;-)

[darkwoods.livejournal.com]

Finally, Giles is back. Really loving this. Can't wait for more.