1 [Report This]Date: June 09, 2023 10:54 am Title: Step 1, Gather Ingredients
Hello! I've been reading for a while, but finally "joined" this site just so that I could leave you a message! Primary reason I'm leaving a review here - aside from this being a great story - is it appears it might be your most recent work, and I am really hoping to let you know how much I'm enjoying your writing in general!
I am a very late arrival to the world of The Office. I was in a somewhat bizarre accident back in December 2022 where I was thrown from a vehicle, resulting in head trauma and significant TBI. I'm doing great recovery-wise, BTW. But one of the things I had to "work back up to" in recovery was screen time. Legit, more than 5 minutes could make me sick, even on my phone. So when we started working on more sustained time, my PT recommended finding a show I could stream, whose episodes were 30 mins or less. Enter: The Office!
Of course I quickly fell in love with JAM - who wouldn't?! But when I finished the series, I was still hungry for more. I had to meander from FF to here, but I found my way... and I've found many lovely stories to fill my JAM bucket.
Your stories have especially intrigued me, so thank you for them. In addition, I believe at least one story documents some of your personal history as a paramedic... and as someone who recently benefitted from some life-saving emergency care, I want to say thank you for that service as well. If I'm also not reading too much into things, it sounds like you may also weave bits of your personal faith into your stories... and that, too, has been a life-sustaining part of my recovery journey these past few months.
I am a therapist by trade, and have been pursuing additional certification in treating PTSD/PTSI for law enforcement and emergency services workers. I am only back to my job at 20 hours a week currently (CRAZY how slow this recovery is! But it *is* recovery!), so some of my professional development is on hold. Just wanted you to know that I'm honored by both the work you do and the hobby that hopefully feeds your heart... and just wanted you to know, it's feeding mine as well! :)
With a grateful heart,
Maddi (sn:TheOneTimeTheyParkoured)
Author's Response: First of all, I'm very glad to hear your recovery is going so well. TBI's are nothing to sneeze at as often they can be a hidden kind of injury. A broken bone often leaves a scar. It's often hard to see the internal scars from things like a TBI so I'm thrilled you're getting better each day.
Wow, thank you so much for your kind words about my stories. I'm delighted you've enjoyed them so much. I have a great time writing them so it thrills me to hear when others enjoy them too. Yes I do bring in elements of my personal life to my writings. After all write what you know about and writing is easier. But yes I will bring in real life aspects when I feel they're appropriate. I try to be delicate as I aim to be true to myself and yet respectful to anyone who might not view the world as I do.
Amazing that you're looking to get into helping First Responders deal with the PTSD that comes with our line of work. We need it. I've utilized the services of mental health professionals a few times over the course of my career. Writing fanfiction stories is another way I deal with some of that stress. A fun hobby that primarily is just that, fun. There are other benefits of course, but it's just fun and that's worthwhile in and of itself.
Once again thank you for the lovely message. Hopefully I'll get some new things up soon. Life is always busy, but I'm working on it.
Take care.
Fortes Fortuna Adiuvat
1 [Report This]Date: November 01, 2022 11:19 am Title: Step 1, Gather Ingredients
Very cute! I love it! Jim would be such a pleasure to have in the kitchen I am sure. Too bad Roy is such an oaf.
Thank you for the story!
Author's Response: Thank you. Lots more to come with this one so I'm glad you're here for it.
1 [Report This]Date: October 29, 2022 08:57 am Title: Step 1, Gather Ingredients
Now that I have my computer back I can sit down to review this new one. First off this premise has a lot of potential for fun and for bringing these two to where they are meant to be.
But I'm not sure what Pam was thinking in wanting to do this with Roy...it's only fun when you work together - has potential to be quite the opposite when one of the potential cooks puts poker night ahead of his relationship.
'The way she was starting to hunch in on herself. How her voice didn’t have the same light confidence he reveled in when they planned a prank together. No, she was in full on Roy-mode now.' - Good description here.
Good thing there's Jim to pull her out of it. I have to mention that I did the cooking class thing with my spouse (as a one-off... we had fun but may not have made it through a series...I'm a little bossy and have high expectations)
Combo christmas gift and payback for driving lessons - nice but does this mean no teapot? I guess that's okay because I'm sure you'll be bringing lots of heartwarming moments in this fic (and I'm hoping some useable recipes too).
Looking forward.
Author's Response:
I'm looking forward to this premise too. I agree, we'll have a lot of fun.
Pam, bless her soul, is trying with Roy. But yeah, it's very one sided, thus her shrinking in on herself. So of course in steps Jim. Yes, I'm planning on a lot of quality heartwarming moments.
Thanks as ever for your detailed comments.
1 [Report This]Date: October 29, 2022 07:04 am Title: Step 1, Gather Ingredients
Yay cooking class story!
I love the opening vision of Jim's immediate future, which under most circumstances must have played out exactly like he imagined. One of those things that make it clear why Jim hung in there so long. And the way he's rudely jerked back into the broader reality he's living in by Roy occupying the space he thinks of as his own (but that Roy must feel he has every right to) is poignant. (Also, love the call-forward to the vending machine prank.)
I like that Jim immediately leaps into action at the sight of disappointed Pam but doesn't immediately see the cooking class as an opportunity for him to step in. It's a big move, I feel like realistically it would take him a minute. And him framing it as payback for the driving lessons feels like a familiar exercise in carefully staying in bounds.
Looking forward to the cooking action!
Author's Response: It always seems to happen. Right when you think you know how things are going to go, life says nope. Glad you caught the call forward too. You picked up exactly what Jim was trying to do there. Not let Pam feel bad when he can help it, toe the line between being there for her and not showing his true feelings, and jumping on any opportunity to spend more time with her. Thanks for the review.
1 [Report This]Date: October 28, 2022 04:21 pm Title: Step 1, Gather Ingredients
I know I am going to love this! MrsKHalpert was literally just telling me about your Cooking with Jan series! I can’t wait to read more! I love the set up and can’t wait to see how these two arrange everything platonically… getting to the class, splitting the meals, interacting with a bunch of probably romantically involved couples in the class… in so many ways we see how Jim and Pam are much better matched.. can’t wait to read your exploration of this aspect!
Author's Response: Glad you're here for this one! I love that you're already starting to pick up on some of the things that we'll explore with this one. Thanks for the review.
1 [Report This]Date: October 28, 2022 03:50 pm Title: Step 1, Gather Ingredients
Oh Warrior, this is fabulous! I can’t wait to see how this unfolds…
Author's Response: Thank you! I've got a lot of fun ideas, should be a good time.
Date: October 28, 2022 02:25 pm Title: Step 1, Gather Ingredients
Good start to a new story! 👏
Please update soon! 🙏
Author's Response: Thank you. Hopefully I'll be able to get quick updates.
1 [Report This]Date: October 28, 2022 12:54 pm Title: Step 1, Gather Ingredients
Very cute idea, looking forward to more!
Author's Response: Thank you. Should be a lot of fun.