Amber Benson (2015)

What does Alyson Hannigan smell like?

Hi Amber, I totally doubt you'll remember this but this is probably my one and only chance to right an old wrong that still makes me cringe to this day. I was studying art in Rome with a bunch of students (one of them was your sister) back in 2000. I believe you and your mom came to visit your sister and hung out with all of us. During some small talk chit-chat the following cringe-worthy conversation took place and I'm really sorry.

Amber: "So where are you from?"

downstor: "Oh, I'm from Torrance. It's a tiny city in Los Angeles that you've probably never heard of. I think it's only famous as the place where they filmed 90210 and Buffy the Vampire Slayer or some other lame shows...."

Anyway, you didn't even blink an eye and I had never watched the shows so I totally didn't know you were an actor on Buffy, let alone an actor at all, till later on when your sister told me and I felt like such an asshole.

So this is me, apologizing for "15-years younger me" for any sort of slight or insult you may have taken from my comments. I have since watched the show and they're pretty fun. But I also wanted to tell you how impressed I was after I found out that you were an actress about how cool and approachable you were and how you never once mentioned what you did for living or any name drops. It was very cool to meet a really down-to-earth famous actress (even though or perhaps especially because, I didn't know you were one at the time.)

Best of luck in your new endeavors! Sorry for being an ass.

Who were you the closest to in Buffy?

Hi, Amber! I am a huge fan of yours and Tara has always been my favourite character from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Thank you for doing this AMA!

What did you enjoy the most or what was most rewarding about playing the character of Tara?

Thank you again!

Hey Amber!

Not sure I should tag spoilers...but the show has been over for a while now, so: how did you react when you learned of Tara's fate?

You are absolutely brilliant in all of your projects! In keeping with your request for oddball questions, I would like to know: would you rather live in the Buffy universe or the universe you created in "The Witches of Echo Park"? (Also, what is James Marsters like to work with??)

What has been your strangest fan encounter?

Who would make a better dominatrix, Sarah or Eliza?

Hey Amber! Tara was one of my favorites on Buffy- you played her so well. Thanks for doing this!

Which scene was your favorite (or least favorite) to film?

Hi Amber! You said you were looking for oddball questions? I’ll give it a whirl and wish you much success on the release of "The Witches of Echo Park".

1. How old were you when you understood that you share Elvis Presley's birthday and in what way (if any) did that fact influence you then and throughout your life?

2. And a tangent about guilty pleasures - What is your technique/recipe for greasy fried chicken, daughter of the South? ;-)

Hopefully not so oddball questions...

1. Bravo to you and Russell Brown for the fantastic rendition of Joni Mitchell's "My Old Man" that you sang for Worldbuilders (Heifer campaign). Would you share what captivated you about the song's lyrics/arrangement the first time you heard it?

2. What application(s) do you use on your Macbook to write your novels?

Would you rather fight one Buffy sized duck or one hundred duck sized Buffys?

Is there any bad blood between you and Seth Green?

How would you survive a zombie apocalypse?

Hey Amber,

I wanted to thank you for your portrayal of Tara on Buffy the Vampire Slayer - even now with as much representation as there is of LGBT characters on TV the relationship between you and Willow still seems one of the most refreshing and ordinary. As a male who has been struggling with coming out for the past few years it has been fantastic to see such nicely rounded characters who's sole purpose isn't to fill a quota.

How do you feel knowing that you were part of such an important storyline that helped change the face of LGBT representation on TV?

On another note I cannot wait to read your new book :) thank you for your time!

Hi Amber would you ever consider a singing career?? Your voice is beautiful

So here are my attempt at some oddball questions:

1)Given that I have only read the first Reaper-Jones novel, who would win in a fight between a giant turtle and Calliope?

2)If you woke tomorrow and found you were now Bruce Willis, what's the first thing you would do?

Thanks.

When I was homeless on the streets of Hollywood, I used to steal books because one: I had no money to buy them, and two: the only times I felt safe was when I was reading them. I have since tried throughout life to attone for my theivery.
Have you ever stolen anything?

How weird is it being a grownup?

Hi, Amber! I have a few questions:

• I know you wrote a couple of the Buffy comics focusing on Willow and Tara, but I was wondering if there are any plans for you to come back to write some more akin to what Nick Brendon is doing?

• If you could work with any one person from Buffy again (and I mean anyone, not just the actors), who would it be?

• Also, I met you at DragonCon a couple years ago, any chance you might be coming back in the future?

• BONUS QUESTION! Over at /r/Buffy, there's a thread going on discussing everyone's reaction to Dawn being added to the show. What were the opinions of the cast to Buffy getting a sister? Was everyone told why/how she was there, or only certain people knew?

Bonus DragonCon picture: http://i.imgur.com/LYDzS.jpg

Have you ever attempted to get revenge on Adam Busch in any way for killing you?

I would go with something along the lines of skin removal.

If Tara had live, what would be of her and Willow's life together?

I am ecstatic that one of my favorite actresses is also a wonderful writer, and as an aspiring author myself, I must ask: What advice would you have as far as the writing process goes?

I'm also in this crew. Happy early birthday!

Do you play video games and if so which are your favourites?

Do you write on envelopes a lot?

Hello, I really enjoyed Lovers, Liars and Lunatics, and own a copy of Drones (it speaks to me, I work in a big poor organization).

Are you planning on making more movies?

You have an incredibly beautiful singing voice. Would you please publish a lullaby album? My doc says I need to calm down my blood pressure. I'm certain you would fix it.

Hi Amber, thanks for doing this Q&A! Here's my question, how would you describe The Witches Of Echo Park in 3 words?

It was great to see a shy/socially anxious character on tv with Tara as I could really relate to her as a teenager and she made me feel less alone.

My question is- do you consider yourself shy in real life or are you a very confident person?

Hey Amber!

Huge fan of Buffy (as I imagine a bunch of people here are).

An oddball question is tough, but I guess I'm gonna go with:

Do you ever wonder what it would've been like if you guys had done one of those "spells gone wrong" things, and you'd been the Slayer for an episode? If so, how would you have gone about that (like your portrayal, what would've happened to the others)?

How was working on "Supernatural"?

Hello! oddball me is curious to know: what is your most common typo? Or favorite word to type? Thanks!

If you were a pizza, what kind of toppings would you have?

Hi Amber welcome to reddit! I recently finished Among the Ghosts & loved it. Was also a big ~~Tara~~ Buffy-TVS fan back in the day.

My question is what is your opinion on Fanfiction? About either your books or any piece of entertainment?

Have you ever read any & If so did you find any you enjoyed?

Hope you enjoy the AMA :D

Hi Amber,

Big BtVS fan here. I often give credit to Buffy as one of the foundations of how strong I am after growing up as a superfan of the show, and I still watch it consistently, at least every episode throughout the year. Thanks for being a part of a really special TV show.

My question is: what is your favorite memory on set?

Thanks for all you do! I got your first book written with Christopher Golden (who I am a huge fan of) and I loved it.

Any musical projects on the horizon for you? What was doing the Rocky Horror tribute like for you?

Hi! How much influence do you think Buffy's popularity had in entertainment following its conclusion?

I don't really have a question, I just wanted to say thanks for being cool and I'm excited to read the book even though I've just heard about it.

Edit: I was told to edit in a question. How awesome is your day today? I hope it's pretty damn awesome!

Is this where I type the thing? I literally just panic signed up after seeing you were doing this! I don't have time to think of an amazing question, but you rock (duh) and I SCOURED the Internet so I could watch Chance (only to find it easily on YouTube...) and it totally convinced me that someday I could make a good movie, even on a non-existent budget, so thanks for that just as much as Tara!

I suppose I better ask something: what's your favourite of Joss's other projects? And are you addicted to Agents of SHIELD with the rest of us?

P.S. You NEED to come to Dublin! Maybe join Nick Brendon at Dublin Comic Con???

Will you be doing any book signings for The Witches of Echo Park?

what do you find more enjoyable acting or directing?

Are you a real witch? Because you are magic!

How hard was it to transition from acting to writing? Did your experience acting and working with onset writers inspire your writing career, or have you always enjoyed the art?!

Do you work out and exercise? Do you lift? Does pumping iron make you complete? Or what ways do you try to stay healthy and fit?

Did you hate Kennedy?

Were you always into the macabre? I watched your episode of Table top...and....it chilled me.

How did they get the mustard out?

Amber if you could direct and cast a film version of the Witches Of Echo Park which actors would you choose?

What's harder to write a sex scene or a death scene?

my niece wanted to ask you a question but is too busy being a fan girl to think about a question. so I'll ask one instead. you mentioned your book, so what's the book that inspired you to write?

So... This book of yours... Is it going to be a stand alone novel or part of a larger series? Who is your intended audience?

I just want to say that 2 of the saddest words I've heard are 'your shirt', were they the hardest lines you've had to deliver as an actress?

Amber Who is your favourite character from your new book The Witches Of Echo Park?

What's your favourite tabletop game? I'm looking for some new games to play.

Have you gotten over being denied a supporting actress Academy Award nomination for your work in "Hollywood, PA?"

OH and what's your Starbucks order?

What was your family's reaction to Tara dying?

Follow-up question: Have you considered working with /u/Seraph_Grymm?

What question do you want to have somebody ask you the most?

I read Witches Of Echo Park, and loved it. I know some reviews are saying it wasn't fast enough or nothing happened or there were "triggers" you had to "watch out for". Bullocks to all I say!
You did a good job making me feel like I was THERE, fleshing out the characters, and leaving me wanting more. Which, imho, is what a book should do.
Bottom line, you can't please everyone, but the ones you do please, really appreciate it. (and you). Rules say I gotta ask a question, so, when is the second coming? (the book- not the jesus)