One thing that Buffy / Spike writers have to remember is that they are *not* a normal couple. Far from it - Spike is a vampire, adept at eluding and sometimes killing Slayers, and Buffy - is a Slayer. Enough said? No. Simply having Buffy as 'the Slayer' in your story doesn't work unless you are writing a PWP. And, as much fun as mindless romps can be, sometimes you want to write something different. And when you do, it's time to research what it really means to be a Slayer.

Yes, I can hear the groans all the way from over here! But you had a look at the "Vampyr" and "The Chosen One" sections, right? You've watched the episodes, where Buffy is forever battling some evil demon or minion or whatever.....

And that is partly the problem. To paraphrase Kendra, it's not Buffy's job, it's who she is. Weapons, monsters and violence are an everyday part of her life. To write about her properly, one must be familiar with the general Art of Slaying, examined here in no order whatsoever.

What, you didn't know it was an art? Of course it's an art! ;-)

THE HISTORY - When did vampires first walk the earth (which, incidentally, wasn't as wonderful as we'd been led to believe)? Why are we trying to fight them instead of shagging them silly? And what's with the whole sucking thing, anyway?

THE THEORY BEHIND IT ALL - She's the Chosen One. The one girl in this entire generation that can fight the vampires. It doesn't mean her Watcher's organised enough to give her her handbook...

PROPHECIES AND THE PERGAMUM CODEX -She has her future written for her. But, as Buffy puts it, "I flunked the written!"

THE WATCHERS' COUNCIL - They're supposed to be good, right? So why isn't Giles with them anymore? And is Buffy the 'official' Slayer or isn't she?

THE ROLE OF THE WATCHER - This is what they pay them the big bucks for.

THE NEED FOR SECRECY - Paranoia vs. Denial. Can the world stand to know the truth?

PATROLLING - aka Why Buffy never does her homework.

TRAINING - What happens when one of the students actually wants to use the library for studying?

FIGHTING AND VIOLENCE - Spike loves it, and so does Buffy. What moves do they favour, and how do they rate as fighters - really?

WEAPONS OF CHOICE - Well, if they make Spike feel all manly, no wonder Buffy carries so many of them around! What are the weapons of choice for both vamp and Slayer?

INJURIES AND FIRST AID - Useful little things the Scooby Gang is *bound* to know, such as first aid and recognition of an injury is usually forgotten by most writers. Why? Because it's all rather vague and couched in technical medical terms. Here's first aid and the low-down on injuries - the easy way.

COMMON NASTIES: VAMPIRES - What exactly is to know about our fanged friends? How does the 'infection' spread and how can you tell them apart from 'gothic' humans? How do you stop a vampire from entering your home (as if you'd want to!)?

COMMON NASTIES: THROUGH THE HELLMOUTH - How many times has the Hellmouth opened? I mean, honestly...

COMMON NASTIES: ALL IN THE LINE OF DUTY - Other especially bad nasties the Slayer has had to face. Not that she didn't whip their ass, but still...

MORALS, ETHICS AND OTHER THORNY QUESTIONS - Shagging your ex-boyfriend's childe, forgiving your ex for killing your friends, and laughing at demons because they're short. She's not all there, is that Slayer...

THE USE OF MAGIC - Be it good or bad, there's some serious mojo going on at the Hellmouth. What should you do and not do if you want to survive past puberty?

THE ROLE OF THE SCOOBY GANG: WHY THE SLAYER NEEDS BACKUP - We have a witch, a zeppo, a werewolf, a queen and a former thug-now-librarian. Behold the normalcy.

TIPS, TRICKS AND OTHER RESOURCES - Other things you may wish to note.

USEFUL SITES - Have a peek at these. Some are B:tVS related; the vast majority are not. Stuff on fighting, writing fighting (it's harder than it sounds), medical stuff, weapons, vampires and demons in general.... everything you'd ever need if you were a true fighter for Good (except for the local mortuary's website address, which we are reliably informed Willow has already bookmarked).

RECOMMENDED READING - For those who want their Brownie points, there's always the trip to the local library. Take your pick from recommended books on demonology to Gray's Anatomy (has anyone even read that in the past 100 years?).