I feel the need to preface this entry/rant with a few personal remarks. I am 33 years old. Although I am now happily monogamous, I have had various and sundry sexual experiences. I run an erotic website, in which bondage and mild discipline play a featured role. I write homoerotic slash fanfiction, with very violent undertones. More of my friends have sexual preferences which could be labeled "other" rather than "straight". I have sexual fantasies (which I am not sharing, so don't ask *g*) that contain elements some may find disturbing. I have no desire to censor anyone's personal fantasy life, nor can I in any way be considered closed minded with regards to sexual choices.

(((**Ed. Note. I debated naming the story, but I figure if I'm going to confront someone on something I consider inappropriate, it is not fair to do so anonymously. Also, the story is up on public display, as is the broohah surrounding it already.)))

And I wanna go on recoed to say that I find the story "Memories of Monks" by Jenny Crighton (a fic in which an anatomically  pre-pubescent Dawn loses her virginity to a drunken Spike) disgusting, morally reprehensible and beyond the boundaries of what anyone in their right minds should consider in good taste. 

Now, I said so, POLITELY I may add, on the lists to which the story was posted. And promptly ran into what some very intelligent and well written blogger whose name I shamefully cannot recall, labeled the "Cult of the Author". That is, variations on the theme of: "HEY! She writes well! It's fiction/fantasy/fun! You can't SAY that about the story!" 

Well, my friends and personal detractors, bullfuckingshit. I can say I find the story appalling, the content illegal, and the fact that it is being shared on a public list a matter of questionable judgment. I can also say I think her writing style is mediocre at best, childlike at worst, and her inability to defend her choices when confronted laughable. I can, but I didn't. Because I know the difference between constructive criticism and flaming. And I do not engage in the latter, so fuck the hell off you knee-jerk bitches whose only reply is "If you read it after seeing the warning its all your fault". Hm. Interesting argument. Boils down to this: I don't want anyone who may disagree with anything I have to say reading anything I write because I can't handle it if someone takes me to task. Know what then? Don't share your fantasies on a public list. And for godsake you moron, don't share your illegal ones anywhere on the internet. 

Let's all be honest. A really good author, like Te, or Benerasq can write the most squick-ful, appalling plot and make us recoil in horror, while still being drawn to the story. In fact, they have. Te has written underage sex, and Ben has written horrifying rape tales, but you wanna know the differences between their fics and 'Memories'? 

1. The point of their fics was to draw attention to the emotions of the characters. The point was to make you identify with the victim (or the perpetrator and then be horrified at your own callousness). The point was sexual perversion (for lack of a better word. I DO NOT want to argue 'your kink is sicker than my kink'. I'll call myself a pervert in mainstream society if it makes you feel better.) as METAPHOR. The point of Jenny Crighton's fic is to titillate and arouse the reader while they read about a child getting fucked up the ass by a grown up. 

Don't talk to me about it being fiction. It's ALL fiction. Point is, there are certain things it is even illegal to write fiction about and share in a public forum. And you wanna know why? Because the vast majority of human beings on this planet recognize that children are incapable of making sound decisions around sex, and need to be protected from adults (or metaphorically, evil vampires) who may take advantage of their innocence, and subsequent false notions of invincibility.

Don't tell me that Buffy did Angel at 16. One, she was 17. Two, Dawn is 15. Three, where do you wanna draw the line? Is 14 OK? How about 12? And in this fic - which is the only one I am discussing now, not Buffy boinking twelve vampires or William the Bloody Awful Poet getting buggered by his headmaster at age 16, just THIS FIC- Dawn was *purposefully* described as a child. IE: Had never seen a man's penis. Didn't know how to refer to an erection. Had no idea about menstruation. And finally, had *no pubic hair.* If that is not meant to infantalize her, I have no idea what purpose it served. Additionally, the author and her beta acknowledge Spike is "evil" in this fic for having gone along with her "manipulations" (ie "she seduced him so she deserved it"). That is so frightening to me, I wouldn't even know where to begin crafting a flame in response. 

2. The writing is poor. I know, I know, fanlists are the last fucking bastions of good will, the cult of the author says don't insult writing styles, and thou shalt not speak ill of fellow fanfic writers 'cause it's all just fun. Fuck. off. The writing is poor and that is precisely what *makes* the fic all the more disturbing. It's the difference between a Renaissance nude and a Hustler layout. One is art, one is cunt on display. Now, again, I'm not trying to censor anyone's sexual preferences with regards to adult entertainment. I make my living off of it, and if you wanna see cunt on display, feel fucking free. But make sure the cunt is over 18, or expect me to call you a godamned pig. And if you're gonna purvey the smut? Try to do it with style and taste, eh? Check your godamn grammar. Lose the smarmy intro's. Try for some decent characterization and original plot, rather than relying on the well worn histories other authors invented long before you ever wrote a piece of fiction. And if you put your work in a public forum, have the balls to accept the fact that some people are gonna take you to task if you write shit.

I know I sound angry. And to some extent, I am. But more than that? I'm afraid. I think there's something so wrong with a society that glorifies child sex, that it is a society beyond fixing. I think these are the same women who think Spike is the "perfect boyfriend", despite the fact that he is emotionally and physically manipulative, gets off on having his ass beaten, and oh say, *has no fucking soul.* I think that it is convenient to forget that 30% of all women will have been molested, raped or suffered some other sexual abuse in their lifetime. I think that it is too easy to say that fiction is separate from reality, rather than being a mirror for our ideals and mores. I think my child is growing up in a scary fucking world.

I'm going to LA for the weekend. By the time I get back, this will have blown over onto the Next Big Thing. But I'll stand by my point of view, and I'll be happy to debate with anyone who has something intelligent to say. 

Bite me

OF THE THEN
 

ARCHIVES

COMMENTARY:

I just read your anti blog. I agree with you whole heartedly that 'The Memories of Monks' was nothing but kiddie porn. There are some odd people in the world. Even ignoring that fact that she deliberately made Dawn younger than she is for the sake of sick twisted titillation it was also a badly written story. Yay you for speaking out. 

I personally don't have a problem with underage Dawn fic if it is within the bounds of reason. 15 year old Dawn experimenting with somebody her own age is ok. If it's done sensibly. I have no doubt that many people would argue with me (you included possibly) but my opinions are based on the experience of having a 12 year old nymphomaniac friend when I was 12. Underage sex never did her any harm. She is now more psychologically sound with regard to sex than I am. I have issues up the jago. Ok. I'm ranting now. Sorry. 
-Zig

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Wow. Now I remember why I stayed away from Buffyfic (of any stripe) for several years.  I'd run into several stunning examples of badness (though
nothing as bad as the story you described, and I'm just thankful I didn't end up reading *that* one) and thought I'd lost my taste for it altogether.
Then I ran across "The Twelfth Sister", and, well, the rest is history.

Some people think Spike is a perfect boyfriend? Spike isn't a perfect *anything*. Some days I'd like to try and talk to a girl who finds that kind of person attractive - because at one point I was almost as screwed up as
Buffy is now being written, and  made a series of lousy ecisions. I woundup with the wrong person at the wrong place at the wrong time, and the only
saving grace that came from it is that I wound up on the other side of theexperience alive, sane, and (god, I hope) wiser. I love the spuffy plot not
because it is happy, or has the remotest possibility of working out, butbecause it is real. People really do get that f**ed up in the head and wind
up in all the wrong places, and I don't think I've ever seen that quite so accurately reflected on a national TV show.

As for society being beyond saving - I have to admit that I wonder the same thing myself on occasion. But I also believe in fighting the good fight. So
I haven't given up yet. There is a hell of a lot wrong with, well,
*everything* in the world. But every time I read something like this, it reminds me that; no, I'm not the only one fighting. And maybe that'll keep me going for another week or month. 'Cause I don't have kids, but my nieces,
nephews, and cousins are eading out into a lousy world - and I want to make it less lousy.
-Julie 

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Just some quick comments re: your blog today.

I hadn't actually read "The Memory of Monks" until people began to comment. I wouldn't have either as S/D ain't my cuppa tea -- though I do understand that most writers thankfully make Dawn at least seventeen. The debate
sparked my interest, so I read the story. And was left feeling downright nauseous.

I'd go right out and call this child pornography, and written deliberately so. I'm relieved someone did say it outright -- it *is* something that needs
to be called on -- not just shrugged off and moved to the delete folder because people don't want to step on any toes. Kudos to you and Jonquil
both, your comments were right on the mark.
-nepthys

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I flicked past that particular fic, mostly just thinking "Dawn and Spike. Ew."  Didn't realize exactly what it was and when I discovered the whole controversy over it, briefly considered reading it to figure out what all the hubbub was about, form my own opinion and all that.  Now I'm glad I didn't.  In a fandom that accepts and downright celebrates all sorts of kink...the illegal sort without metaphor has to be denounced.  Thanks for doing it for me (and others, I'm sure) in this case. 

It is indeed a scary world.  However, so long as there are voices calling out in the darkness, it isn't a hopeless society.  Thanks for being a voice. 
-SepMrn

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Just wanted to say that you *rock*. Things like that fic, and especially the stupid people behind fics like that, make me bloody furious. You made your points in a very mature, intelligent manner- unlike many people in the Buffy fandom, or just the Internet, today. 
-*Destiny*

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I want to say thank you for what you said this time and last time there was an upheaval about the total shit that Jenny Crighton writes.

I usually delete her stuff before I even glance at it, but this time, I took a moment to read her intro: "This fic contains nderage sex, rear entry and 'bloodplay'"  Maybe it's just me, but those three phrases, just shouldn't really be used in a sentence together.  I deleted it immediately, knowing that if it was anywhere near the level of the only I ever read of hers, it would still be utter crap.

I CLAPPED at my computer when you and Jonquil's e-mails popped up in my e-mail.  Which was brave in general after all of the shit last time.

I wanted to commend you on what you said, and let you know that I may be a lurker, but I support intelligent human beings and I at least know 
when to stand solidly behind people in private, off list e-mails.  So I'm a wimp.  It only matters when people like you say anything anyway.
-Anon

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I have to agree with your entire theme - I haven't read the fic in question, and if I do I'm going to avoid it - and the author. Yuck!

Also wanted to let you know that I enjoy your blog -I'm a regular reader, and I always enjoy it.

One minor correction: the fic isn't illegal, no matter how tasteless it is. Such is the law - otherwise, half or more of the Potterslash writers would be headed to jail.
-kdorian