Things to Avoid When Writing Giles
by Kaz
Giles is a complicated character that presents a challenge for many writers. This may be because Giles is British and American fanfic writers don't quite get the hang of writing how someone from England speaks. Well, I can't help you there seeing as I'm from Maryland myself. However, I can point out a few problem areas I've noticed when reading Giles fic.Buffy the Vampire Slayer was on the air for seven seasons. During that time, Giles evolved from the tweedy, bookish librarian to the confident Watcher to the less-tweedy but still bookish magic shop owner. He's changed. He's evolved. He's learned new things about himself and those around him. So please, please, do not write season one Giles in a post-season one fic. Why throw away all that change and evolution? It's made him the wonderful character that we all know and love today. By ignoring what's happened in the last seven seasons, Giles has been reduced to a one-dimensional character. By the same token, putting season seven characteristics into season one Giles would also be out of character. Giles was much more formal in season one and more apt to go 'by the book' than the Giles of more recent seasons. And also keep in mind that while the tweedy guy was what we saw, what lurked underneath was Ripper!
Also, Giles does more than clean his glasses and say "Oh dear" when things look bleak. True, those happen often enough on the show, but they're not the only things he does when he's upset! Remember Willow's comment about clucking like a chicken when he's upset? I've yet to see a fic where the author writes Giles clucking! (Although that might be a good thing.) My point is, he has more habits than those two. Make sure you include variety in your Giles (though make sure his mannerisms are still English). Include things such as Giles tapping his foot or Giles drumming his fingers or Giles scratching his head. These have all happened on the show, but many writers don't feel they're Giles-y enough. But they are! Giles is a regular human. He does that stuff in addition to polishing his glasses too often.
And that brings me to my next point. Giles is English, so why write his dialogue as you would write Xander's? However, don't over do it. Giles uses contractions of words (don't, wouldn't've, can't). While he might use the full phrase (do not, would not have, can not) for emphasis, using it doesn't make him sound more English! If you're unclear on how to make him sound English, ask someone who is English. Check your mailing lists or the beta lists for someone who specializing in all things English. Also try Oi! Yanks! No! http://www.kabukivice.com/oiyanks/ a guide to the British.
I'd also like to include a note about writing Ripper. We've seen Ripper, or hints of him, several times over the course of the seasons. The first time was during 'Halloween' and Giles had to deal with Ethan. Another prominent episode was 'Band Candy'. However, the Rippers in both episodes were different. The 'Halloween' Ripper had a lot more Giles in him. He didn't speak with a Cockney accent and he didn't swagger. The 'Band Candy' Ripper was younger, less constricted by age and inhibitions. Although that Ripper didn't use Cockney either, he did swagger. Keep your Rippers straight. If you're writing that Ripper came out, make sure you use the more mature Ripper (a la 'The Gift' when he kills Ben) and not the teenage hoodlum.
My final point deals with the fact that I've read many fics where Giles is completely inept where real fighting is concerned. Those fics make it seem like he's able to train Buffy but not fight himself? And true, during the first few seasons, Giles's abilities were less than stellar. However, they've vastly improved since season one. Yes, he's been hit on the head and had concussions more times than most wrestlers, but that doesn't mean he's a weakling. Especially in the past few seasons, he's really shown us what he is capable of when it comes to fighting. He was able to thwart the attack of the Bringer in his fellow Watcher's study, stake numerous vampires and help defeat the First. He's able to take care of himself.
Giles is a very complicated character, which is why we like him. He entertains us, he engages us and he exemplifies all that a nummy British guy should be. So please don't sell the character short. Keep in mind what Giles has been through, what he's become. If your fanfic is set in a prior season, go back and read a few transcripts or rewatch some episodes to get a feel for the old Giles. Then write your fic. Reread it. Does it sound Giles-y? Get a beta and ask the beta to read for Giles characterization. Giles can be a difficult character to write, but when you get it correctly it really makes it all seem believable.