My Kelley story

[samsom]

My first introduction to Kel wasn't through Safe As Houses, or Heat Stroke.

That would come later.

It was Phoenix, and I was at kita0610's fic repository, in the middle of all that slash, lol. I clicked on Phoenix because it was Angel and Cordy. And Wes. Spoilers for S4, and speculating for S5. Usually, if it's Angel n' Cordy, I'm not looking for threesomes, but I read it because I was desperate for an Angel piece that treated Cordelia as important as I thought she was to Angel. And because I wanted something that was about healing that triumvirate.

Hooowee. Did I get it. Hot het, and slash. Grief, and hope. I was so impressed.

I gave her feedback.

She answered.

She was enthusiastic, and kind, and warm, and welcoming. Southern charm, but for real. No matter how many times I emailed her back - and believe me, I kept that email chain going as long as I could - she never acted like she wasn't genuinely interested in my opinion.

She beta'd the first couple of fics I posted at ST, and she was honest and right, lol, about what was wrong with them. She didn't let me just rest on what I had, but always asked me for the rest of the story.

When I bookmarked Sanguis and read what was there, I emailed her again and asked to marry Beacon, and have its babies. Storm Front, Snow Angel, Heat Stroke, all of them were like eating a seven course meal - sumptuous and satisfying. She writes close to canon, and better than the paid writers for the show. Every fic is a treat, showing something different. Amor Fati, a B/A piece set during BtVS s3, but about a burgeoning friendship between Cordy and Angel. It never compromised B/A, Angel's love for Buffy is clear and present throughout, but I adore how it shows that Cordelia gives Angel something that he's lacking at that time - hope, for something more. I loved the implicit trust Cordy had for Angel, naturally assuming he'll change her tire, how he couldn't quite bring himself to ask her to leave, and the image of Angel nearly losing a knuckle when Cordy swings the tire iron at him. LOL!

Kelley has become a really, really good friend, and one more reason I have to visit TN.

But I'll always consider myself her fan, first and foremost.

And I still want to marry Beacon.

Happy Birthday, starlet2367

Comments

[xlivvielockex.livejournal.com]

I was just cruising by and I had to tell you how sweet this was. It really made me feel all awww inside. In a fandom that is riddled with horrible shipping wars and divisions even among pairing supporters, it is nice to see that friendships still arise and last for a while.

This was really beautiful. Thank you for sharing. :)

[samsom.livejournal.com]

It's my fondest hope that silly things like shipper wars are a thing of the distant past. It's the same fandom, and pretty much no one's ship got a happy ending, so we all have *that* in common, I hope.

Division among one pairing is even stupider - if such a word exists.

Kelley was practically the girst person I contacted when I was getting into the online fandom, and I'll always be very grateful that she's as wonderful as she is. I might never have posted or got an LJ without her poking me to do so, or it would have taken me way longer, in any case.

Have you ever tried out one of her fics? They're great. I rec all of them, but Beacon, Storm Front and Amor Fati are at the top of my personal list.

Oh, and thanks for the nice words:D

[xlivvielockex.livejournal.com]

Well, pretty much I treat shipping like ice cream. We all like ice cream. Just some of us like ice cream with parlines or some like rocky road and some like plain old vanilla. It is useless to fight about who's ice cream is better because in the end, it doesn't matter. It all turns melty anyway. :)

I want to say I have read some of her stuff because Beacon sounds familiar. But I am still battling this Seattle SARS as it has been affectionately coined in my household. My mind is all wee! Hence why you still haven't gotten an email from me. I owe you one all about Greece, as long as I can put together a coherent thought that doesn't involve a frozen dairy treat. :)

[starlet2367.livejournal.com]

It's no coincidence that Jane Siberry's "Calling All Angels" is playing on iTunes right now.

You're an angel in my life, certainly.

Thank you for the birthday wishes, the fond memories and the unbelievable feedback. Now *that's* a present.

:hugs you tightly: