This is the section where some of our favorite authors
will share with us (and you) their favorite stories from among their
own work. The lovely and talented Pix mentioned this idea to me
in an e-mail, saying how she thought it might be an interesting
contrast with the typical recommendations lists so prevalent on
fan fic websites.
I, of course, immediately wondered the same thing,
and so, here we are. This will be a weekly feature, with past Authors'
Picks being archived on a page called "From
the Desk of..."
So, let us begin...
This week, we have Pete Meilinger, aka, The Mushmeister,
and one of the inmates here at Unfit For Society. Pete is most famous
for his Willow/Xander mush, but he also writes Xander/Buffy mush
and Xander/Anya mush, and the occasional Logan/Rogue mush. Hence
the nom de plume. *g*
Scroll down to see what Pete has to say...
Click on the name of the story within the text below if you'd like
to read it.
Pete says...
Vic tells me I have to tell y'all which of my stories
are my favorites. Hell if I know. I was going to say a little bit
about all my stories, but there's almost 40 of the damned things
now, so that seems a bit excessive.
As an aside, I really can't believe I wrote 40 stories.
Cool!
Okay, back to my favorites. I'm not sure I can really
pick favorites, but I can note some of the ones I like and mention
why.
The
First Annual Brownie Bake-Off and Rootin' Tootin' Jamboree
I like this one for two reasons. First is the immense
response it got. Lots of people have told me they love this story,
which of course makes me feel very good. It also convinced me there's
a market for mush. I've never looked back. The other reason I like
this story is because it started out as just a mental exercise -
I wanted to write down a number of little memory-vignettes from
Willow's and Xander's childhood, to maybe reference in other stories.
Then I got the idea to write a framework story for it, and decided
to make it from Joyce's point of view since I wanted to try writing
her. I think it came out rather well.
God
Bless Buddy Lee
I didn't write the ending to this one, I swear. I just typed it.
This was supposed to be a cute little bit about Willow crying at
TV commercials. Then Xander took over my brain and started angsting
Buffy's destiny to die young. It was a cool but scary feeling to
have the story take over like that.
Homecoming
I like this one because it's my first real angst-fic, and I think
it came out pretty well, if I do say so myself. I've always wanted
to write a sequel from Xander's point of view. One of these days.
Our
Day Has Come
This is possibly the mushiest story I've ever written, which is
reason enough to mention it. But it's also the story that led to
my getting to know Melissa, so it's definitely earned a place on
my list of favorites.
Promises
My other big angst-fic, and my first completely unhappy ending.
Of course, I gave some hope for happiness back in the sequel, Mirror
Image, but I think that's just realistic.
The
Happily Ever After Series - I Won't Be Afraid, The Night Has Come,
and Lifting Me Higher
I like my two additions to this series just because I like cute
mush, dammit. I love Meg's take on how Jessica was born, too, because
it's simply perfect. I've always wanted to do more with this future
setting. I've got some ideas for a few more cutesy shorts, and an
idea for a much longer story about what happens when the Hellmouth
reopens and the newest Slayer comes to town with her Watcher, Dawn
Summers. One of these days, maybe.
And now, for your delight and edification, and to
pad out my word count, I shall choose my favorite stories from the
repertoires of my Unfit companions.
Meg:
Break
Away - nasty and angsty, which are usually not at all my
thing, but I loved how she got inside both Xander's and Anya's head.
Changes
- Also angsty, but more in a bittersweet way, and just creepily
written as you figure out what's going on.
Wearing The Pants - I hope I got the title right.
This one hasn't been archived yet, it's so hot off the presses.
I've always liked the small sub-genre of Willow and Xander switching
bodies, and this was even more fun than the rest of them. Though
the idea of little Xander being named Captain Amazing is more than
a bit disturbing...
Vic:
A
Harbor In The Tempest - The X-Men do Casablanca, and Vic
does a great job with the rewriting. What's not to love?
The
Music Lesson - I love it when Vic does mush, and this one's
just perfect.
Second
Chances - good stuff AND that jerk Logan doesn't get the
girl. Two for two! (Ed. note: Apparently, I've given Pete Logan
Issues. Sigh.)
Jen:
Dark
Ages - I really like this one, and I'm hoping Jen can get
back to it soon. She and Meg are both great examples to Vic and
me in the eternal debate of Original Characters vs. Fanfic.
I'm
Looking Over A Four-Leaf Clover - This was written for a
challenge that all four of us did, and Jen brought her own unique
blend of genius, lunacy and bloodthirstyness to the show.
The
David K story - Another one I want Jen to keep working on,
but she's making more progress on it than I am on anything original,
so I can't complain too much. Well, I can, but then she yells at
me.
~~*~~
So there you have it — Pete Meilinger, in
his own words...
~~*~~
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