Date: September 15, 2009 07:44 pm Title: When Life Is Turned Upside Down
oh god, this is heartbreaking... and yet i'm still reading.
one thing: you keep switching from past to present tense.
Author's Response:
Yeah, this story could have used a beta. I reread it recently (I actually did a commentary on it at my LJ), and realized how many little things a beta could have caught. I've constantly thought about updating it, but its such a sad subject matter, its one of those I'm not ready to deal with.
And I've been meaning to tell you thanks so much on all the reviews of my old stuff. Really means a lot, you have no idea!
10 [Report This]Date: June 17, 2009 03:05 pm Title: Realization
So, so sad! I don't know how to cope with it - it is so realistic, though. It could happen.
Anyway, amazing work throughout the three. Your writing is amazing!
Author's Response: I hope this never happens in their fictional life ;). But thanks. This is one story that I love because its a personal connection, but I always think about revisiting it, because its one of my earliest pieces and i think I could do better!
10 [Report This]Date: June 17, 2009 03:00 pm Title: Admitting It
First of all, amazing work once again - I can't wait to read the next chapter. Also, I'm very sorry to read about what you put in your chapter end notes, but I am glad, in a way, that your experiences have inspired you. You are a wonderful writer and capture the emotions of the situation perfectly.
Author's Response: Ya know, you chooe and interesting time to read and review, because it was nearly exactly (within days) of my own father's death. Very interesting and coincidental.
10 [Report This]Date: June 17, 2009 02:57 pm Title: When Life Is Turned Upside Down
My heart is broken! In a good way, though, because your writing is absolutely fantastic!!
Author's Response: Haha, yeah, that'sa good thing. I think ;)
Date: March 15, 2009 06:25 pm Title: Realization
i think that this would be really really awesome, if the story were to go back in time and we could see what their life was like, really get to know these characters.
Author's Response: Yeah, I enjoyed coming up with these little slices of life to present in this story, just miniflashbacks, if you will.
Date: March 15, 2009 06:13 pm Title: When Life Is Turned Upside Down
Hey, I'm right there with you with the grief/death thing. My friends think I'm strange.. keep up with this.. it's awesome'!
Author's Response: It's fun to think about, and every once in a while I want to return to this theme, but it is really hard to put yourself in that mindset sometimes.
10 [Report This]Date: January 19, 2008 02:15 pm Title: Realization
I can't stop crying. This was an amazing story; very well written. It hit close to home for me because my father died from cancer whan I was 4 (I'm now 20). I have to say that you described Alex's realization that his dad was really dead and his responce to that realization very realistically. Great job.
Author's Response: I am so lad you enjoyed, even if it was sad. It was so sad as I was writing it. Death is hard to deal with, and writing it is cathartic, but... wow. Its a tough subject. Thank you so much for the review.
10 [Report This]Date: August 05, 2007 09:38 pm Title: Realization
That is so sad! I'm crying as I read this. I loved this story so much and I loved that Alex and Sophie were so much like their parents. Amazing!!
Author's Response:
I am so glad you loved it even when crying. I cried while writing it, so, yeah. And I think all kids have traits from their parents. I know I do (which I am discovering more every day), and I just think little kid versions of Jim/Pam would be fun.
Thanks for the review
Date: August 01, 2007 04:55 am Title: When Life Is Turned Upside Down
My boyfriend's cousin was killed in a car accident last week. Her two children and husband were in the car with her - she was the only one seriously injured.
I hope reading this story will be helpful to me.
Author's Response: Oh I am so sorry for your loss. I wrote this story about 2 and a half years after my father did (not a car accident though), and writing it was really cathartic. I hope you enjoyed and was a good release for you.
Date: February 12, 2007 08:43 pm Title: When Life Is Turned Upside Down
Emily, seriously you are a great writer. I have a hard time reading this because with every word I feel such a physical grief with it. Seriously heart breaking, but a very very good piece! Wow, you made me want to cry.
Author's Response: Aww, thanks. I really enjoy writing... most times. It was really hard to write it, because, it was so emotional, it hurt.
Date: February 12, 2007 08:01 pm Title: Realization
OMG i never cry when i read stories - i cried!!! SOOOO SAD!
Author's Response: I cried while writing it, so I am glad I got the emotion across. Now this can NEVER happen on the show, but I enjoyed writing it. As much as you can enjoy feeling pain and crying and stuff.
Date: February 12, 2007 08:26 am Title: Realization
Thank you for your story. I have to say that it is hard to write about things that touch so close to the heart. In my life, when I lost someone, I didnt allow the grieving process take affect until months after they were gone and I hope that this story triggers that in people that are still hurting. These characters are so real to us Office fans...and writing something that seems to 'unspeakable' will allow us to see how real it can really be. Thank you. I hope that came off the way I wanted it to...:)
Great job!
Author's Response:
Thanks so much for your review. For me, writing about things is rather cathartic. I am very much a believer of once I write it, its no longer inside of me (which makes me think of the Anna Nalick song, Breathe). Which is why I have a hard time actually writing some happy things. Because I want to keep those inside. It ruins my daydreams if I write em. But sad things, those can go.
My personal loss was different than this story, as it was a loss from cancer, and allowed for anticipatory grief (wow, look at me being all book smart). Its such an interesting way the whole grieving process. It is something that doesn't really ever get talked about in normal areas, but it is something so universal. I tend to look at everything rather analytically since I have such a background in science. I loved writing this fic, because even though it was such an emotional roller coaster for me, and highly emotional, I really was able to step back and look at it objectively. And then still feel all the emotion, because, wow, death, really sad.
Okay, my reply is like longer than your comment, so I will shut up now. Thanks for reading and reviewing.
Date: February 11, 2007 11:38 am Title: Admitting It
oh this is so good, but it breaks my heart so much! Especially with the kids and it's just... *sigh* Great job and I hope there's more to come. Even though I do cry while reading it.
Author's Response:
There is probably going to be more to come. I have to force myself to do homework before I type out another chapter though.
I am glad that it is making other people as emotional as it makes me. It is just a really hard subject to write and read, but it is just as much a part of life as happy times, yet, so little is done with tragedies. Angst is covered, but, tragedies, not so much.
Okay, really going to go shut down computer. Must do chemistry and stats. Then I can write.
Date: February 11, 2007 11:32 am Title: Admitting It
I really like this series, but it's almost too painful to read. I've had alot of people die, and it's almost theraputic reading this. It's sort of hard to explain. Anyway, I like how Pam explained it to Sophie in terms of the Lion King. Wow. I'm sad lol
Author's Response:
I understand about the theraputic part. Its theraputic to write this. When my dad was diagnosed with cancer, I wrote a LOT. Most of the stuff then was even more emotional than now. I had been having a rough week, and I just, when I sat down to write this, it really did take a lot out of me, but it also was healing. So I understand.
It is really hard to explain to kids about death. I mean, seriously. That was the first Disney movie that I could think of that explained it in a way that made sense. And then it worked well at the end. I hadn't planned on having it come back through Pam also, but wow, it did.
Thanks for your review. I am really going to try to shut off my computer so I don't type out another chapter. I have annoying homework and other stuff for school that is a bit more urgent apparently.
Date: February 11, 2007 11:31 am Title: When Life Is Turned Upside Down
Wow, this is...emotional. I think you have done a really nice job with the background stuff, and I love the characterizations of the kids.
This is a really minor thing, but you might want to pay attention to your verbs-- you switch back and forth between past and present, and it's a little distracting. I think present tense would probably work really well with the tone of this story, and that's probably why you keep slipping into it :)
Author's Response:
Thanks. I just got the second chapter up (not sure if you read then also). It is really hard to write it sometimes when its as emotional as it is. But, I enjoy it. Rather cathartic I think sometimes.
The verb thing has always been a troublesome part of mine. I try to catch some, but am ususally very unsucessful. I will probably try to edit it some when I catch them.
Date: February 11, 2007 10:05 am Title: When Life Is Turned Upside Down
How can you make Jim die?!?!?!?! A really great story, except for the death of Jim part. It might make me stop reading, but its really good, so I'm conflicted Uhggg! Jim can't die. LOL! I'll be okay, its fiction. :P
Author's Response:
Sorry about that. It is hard. The only reason I wouldn't do Pam is because I can write feminine easier, and like, all of my experience (aka real life, books, reseach) has mainly focused on the loss of a male figure. Therefore, when writing fiction, go with what you know. And what I know is death of a male figure.
Don't worry though, if I do get around to writing more (hopefully tonight) There will eventually be some happy like flashbacks or something. But, yeah, mostly sadness.
Its really hard to write this emotionally. Cause, i swear, last night after I finished, I just felt so drained. I had tears and stuff.
Date: February 11, 2007 09:07 am Title: When Life Is Turned Upside Down
Ack! Tear my heart out, why don't you? And then stomp on it! ;) So sad, but poignant and affecting because it made me feel ill. It's nice to read something that's not all hearts and flowers sometimes, too. Good job!
Author's Response:
I laughed when I read this. I was so... drained after writing this. I mean, seriously, most of the emotions were based on how I felt writing it. I shuddered, I cried, I felt myself breaking.
I always really enjoy fluff and even angst. But, some of (okay, all) of my absolute favorite books really center around a tragedy. And, I am so incredibly interested in death and the grieving process.
I am really hoping to write another chapter tonight, and as long as I feel it is still good, I will post it.