Date: August 17, 2007 11:54 pm Title: Chapter 12: Lost In a Snow-filled Sky We'll Make It Alright to Come Undone
Wow, that was intense. It's interesting how they both read each other so well, yet still have so many problems articulating the right words even though they each seem to get where the other is coming from. I think it's interesting that Jim knows Roy cheated, because that gives Pam even more power to absolutely devastate him if she were to let that night be hers and Jim's and then go back to her old life. It really raises the stakes here, with Jim getting even more hope for a real relationship with her. I'm really enjoying this AU section.
Author's Response:
Guh, yet another of your reviews that's so thought-provoking and just...awesome. And with this: "I think it's interesting that Jim knows Roy cheated, because that gives Pam even more power to absolutely devastate him if she were to let that night be hers and Jim's and then go back to her old life."
...You've articulated the crux of the AU arc. Seriously.
I sooo appreciate your insightful and thoughtful reviews -- you have no idea.
10 [Report This]Date: August 17, 2007 09:23 pm Title: Chapter 12: Lost In a Snow-filled Sky We'll Make It Alright to Come Undone
Even though I'm sure that you know this, this story is just amazing. I'm a big fan of your work in general, but this is definitely one of my favorites. It makes me wish I could write as well. Awesome work, and I'm interested to see how Jim reacts to Pam's "booty-call"? If that is what's going on here.
Author's Response:
Okay, I'm giggling like a 10 year-old at the "booty call" joke. (Incidentally, I tried really hard to work that into something I wrote a few months back, but I think it was too off-color....LOL.) So glad you're enjoying this (and the other stuff -- wow, it's always incredibly thrilling and humbling to hear someone say he/she's a fan of all the stuff....).
And, uh, yeah...in a manner of speaking, it does come down to a booty call. Hee.
10 [Report This]Date: August 17, 2007 07:11 pm Title: Chapter 12: Lost In a Snow-filled Sky We'll Make It Alright to Come Undone
I'm sorry I can't leave a more substantive review because everything leading up to and including this...
And it's fucking devastating.
...killed me.
I love, love, love your work. Seriously, I'm sockless - you knocked them off! :)
Author's Response: Wow. My socks are on the ceiling as a result of your review. :o) Honestly, though -- THANK YOU. It means a lot to hear that. :o)
9 [Report This]Date: August 17, 2007 06:56 pm Title: Chapter 12: Lost In a Snow-filled Sky We'll Make It Alright to Come Undone
It was a pleasant surprise to see another chapter! Really good--another intense one.
Date: August 17, 2007 06:52 pm Title: Chapter 12: Lost In a Snow-filled Sky We'll Make It Alright to Come Undone
Wow. That was captivating! I loved your attention to detail and the title was perfect. I had the song in my head as I was reading.
Can't wait to see if Pam "Come's Undone".
Author's Response:
Sigh. Listen, anyone who's capable of hearing "Come Undone" in her head is all right in my book. :o) Seriously, though - love the lyrics and the meaning there (never mind that he wrote it for his wife --- or maybe it's awesome because he wrote it for his wife....).
Thanks so much for your review!
Date: August 17, 2007 06:40 pm Title: Chapter 12: Lost In a Snow-filled Sky We'll Make It Alright to Come Undone
wow, you can cut the tension with a knife. Love how Jim can read Pam so well as to know she's looking for liquid courage not to deny the previous weekend.
Hope you have plenty of wine for the weekend, girl7!
Author's Response:
The wine was delayed...but it came through. :o)
Really glad to hear you enjoyed this - hope it continues to deliver! (Uh, TWSS??)
Date: August 17, 2007 06:40 pm Title: Chapter 12: Lost In a Snow-filled Sky We'll Make It Alright to Come Undone
Oh thank god she told Jim that Roy slept with someone else. I was getting worried that Pam was going to spend the night with Jim and not tell him. And then he'd find out after and think he was just a payback thing or a rebound.....I know, I know, they aren't real!!! Can't wait to hear Jim's reaction.
Author's Response:
Wait a minute...they aren't real? Um, are you on medication, or just...you know, mean? LOL.
Yeah, that was the plan -- Roy would cheat, and she'd tell poor Jim. I blame John Krasinski for playing tortured so well....
Thanks for reviewing!
Date: August 16, 2007 10:29 am Title: *Chapter 11: Sometimes You Can't Make It Best You Can Do Is To Fake It
It's funny how Roy cheating on Pam is the one thing that all us viewers constantly expected, because it would provide such an easy out for her, and it never happened. And now I can't help but think that Pam's going to waste the opportunity. I'm already completely sucked in to this AU!
One other note: your description of Pam's and Jim's respective body language during the tense interactions at work, especially during that retreat recap meeting, were just spot on. Really vivid.
Author's Response:
You know, I generally write a very sympathetic Roy (have a soft spot for David Denman -- what can I say?), but my beta, Starry Dreamer, gave me the idea that there could be some conflict between Pam and Roy after she gets back from the life-altering Poconos retreat (LOL). I could really see Roy getting drunk and doing something stupid - then immediately feeling guilty about it.
And thank you so much, BTW, for your comments re: their body language being believable - that's my ultimate goal! :o)
Date: August 14, 2007 04:43 pm Title: *Chapter 11: Sometimes You Can't Make It Best You Can Do Is To Fake It
Oh, Roy! So glad to see an update on this:) The tension between Jim and Pam just breaks my heart, and you bring the angst like no other. Also love when those Halpert boys get together:) Looking forward to more.
Author's Response:
It always makes me kind of squee (I can say that without losing credibility, right? I mean, we're not on TWoP....) to hear (ur, read) people say that they like the Jim/Jonathan scenes. I've got a ridiculous soft spot for them -- a total weakness. :o)
Seriously, though -- glad to hear you're enjoying this. :o) Thanks for reviewing!
Date: August 14, 2007 05:58 am Title: *Chapter 11: Sometimes You Can't Make It Best You Can Do Is To Fake It
That's why we wanted this to continue. Excellent! More Please!!!!
Author's Response:
You're so sweet -- I hope I can make you guys happy; you were all so awesome with the feedback!
Thanks for reviewing...
10 [Report This]Date: August 13, 2007 08:49 pm Title: *Chapter 11: Sometimes You Can't Make It Best You Can Do Is To Fake It
Please tell me these AU endings are not one-shots!
It speaks volumes that Pam is immediately pissed...I totally believe that subconciously she's not even upset, just relieved. This is her chance! Go Pam!
Author's Response:
They are absolutely not one-shots; I'm generally constitutionally averse to writing one-shots (though I've managed to do a few, hee).
And (in my version, at least), you're totally right -- I don't think she'd be angry or even really upset...would be too distracted by trying to figure out how to find her way to Jim's apartment....
Thanks for reviewing!
Date: August 13, 2007 08:40 pm Title: *Chapter 11: Sometimes You Can't Make It Best You Can Do Is To Fake It
wow... just... wow...
by the way, scott foley--great one for Jonothan! That's incredible how much they look alike (in a family way, not a doppleganger way. haha). :)
Author's Response:
Yayy! Glad you like SF as Jonathan -- that's my obsession, I tell you. (My husband and I are just now getting into House -- and when I saw that SF was guest starring in an episode, I literally started clapping. Yeah...it's sad. :o) )
Seriously, though, I do see such a resemblence between them, both in physical features and in personality traits. Sigh....
Thanks for reviewing!
Date: August 13, 2007 08:11 pm Title: *Chapter 11: Sometimes You Can't Make It Best You Can Do Is To Fake It
Great chapter-and fine writing that Jim and Pam react so differently in the AU and non-AU versions, yet you sell both. I can see that they were already skilled at denial and sublimation, so they could push down that evening as more of the same. But I also completely see how this changes everything, much like nothing was really the same again after Casino Night.
You kept basic Jim and Pam traits so well. Jim of course is thinking of asking out a girl, as seems to be his best coping mechanism. (Can't really blame the guy, but still...) And Pam is now completely shattered, which seems to be the only way she is pushed out of inaction. Now Roy has given her an excuse to act on her emotions, which is probably something she has not really had to do for years.
Great job, as always.
Author's Response:
I have to tell you -- I've grown to look forward to your reviews, because they're always so thoughtful and insightful -- honestly. I'm glad to hear that you find the AU Jim/Pam believable, because I really didn't want to just do some throw-away, gratuitous version, you know? That's one of the reasons I've struggled so much with this one -- it's soooo hard to find a plausible scenario for what's happening here.
Anyway -- your feedback really means a lot, gives me momentum (in a way). Your reviews are so thorough and insightful that I find myself wanting to award them a ribbon. :o)
Date: August 13, 2007 07:19 pm Title: Chapter 10: Doors You Opened I Just Can't Close
I love the way you've tied this all in to the real show, girl7! wow, did not see that coming... ;-)
Author's Response:
OMG - I just realized I never responded to this review! I am so sorry - seriously. GOod lord. :o)
Anyway - so glad you enjoyed it! I had a lot of fun tying it into the show, and there were actually more moments I wanted to weave in there, but just didn't (was afraid of being too repetitive after the whole Away From the Cameras thing).
Anyway - thank you so much for reviewing, and I apologize that I somehow missed responding to it sooner!
10 [Report This]Date: August 13, 2007 06:49 pm Title: *Chapter 11: Sometimes You Can't Make It Best You Can Do Is To Fake It
Yeah an update! Loving this AU direction. I'm always happy to see the elusive Jon. I was not expecting Roy's confession. Pam's reaction, superficial horror and hidden relief, was very well written. Can't wait to see where this goes.
Author's Response:
Heh -- always happy to hear it when someone's glad to see Jon. (Some people -- understandably -- find him...overused, let's say. LOL.) Yeah, Roy's confession...oy. My beta, Starry Dreamer, planted the seed for that one. :o)
Thanks for reviewing!
Date: August 13, 2007 06:31 pm Title: *Chapter 11: Sometimes You Can't Make It Best You Can Do Is To Fake It
OMG I'm so excited this is back!!!! I can't wait for more...seriously!! Thank you for continuing!
Author's Response: See, it's sort of surreal to read that someone's actually excited to see this continue -- honestly! I really appreciate your support -- hope you like the ensuing chapters... :o)
Date: August 13, 2007 06:12 pm Title: *Chapter 11: Sometimes You Can't Make It Best You Can Do Is To Fake It
I'm so glad you updated today. I was starting to go through withdrawals, and this is an awesome direction for the story. I can't wait to see them get it together. There's something about the way you write these two that always feels so authentic to me. Anyway, I'm so glad you're continuing this. I think this might be my favorite story of yours. Of course, I'll probably say that about the next one, too, but still... ;)
Author's Response:
First of all: You're too sweet for saying that you were looking for an update. Seriously -- from my perspective/expectations, every time I post an update, it's like yawn...crickets. Honestly, it's always exciting to hear that someone's actually waiting for an update.
Anyway, so glad you're enjoying this -- I really appreciate your support/reviews!
Date: August 13, 2007 05:35 pm Title: *Chapter 11: Sometimes You Can't Make It Best You Can Do Is To Fake It
ROY! Well, I wasn't expecting that! Not that it's out of character or anything, and I'm glad that it will hopefully give Pam the kick in the butt that she so desperately needs. I love how Pam was mad/sad when Jim was ignoring her, such a totally human reaction to the whole situation. Can't wait to see what else you've got cooked up! :-)
Author's Response:
Heh! Yeah...I tend to write Roy sympathetically most of the time (because I really love David Denman), but I don't know.... I'd been talking with Starry Dreamer about where this could possibly go, and she suggested Pam & Roy have an argument about something -- then it was like, ding! ding! ding! We have a winnah! :o) Honestly, even though this is technically the AU version, I still want to make it as plausible as possible - and I think Roy having a one-night stand and confessing would be absolutely necessary for the direction in which I want to take this to be plausible. (Wow - if one of my students had written that sentence, he/she would've gotten a big fat AWK notation, hee.)
Anyway - you've been so great with your feedback; I really, really appreciate it!
8 [Report This]Date: August 13, 2007 05:22 pm Title: Chapter 1: Content to Compromise
Cute idea for a camaderie trip - I'll be anxious to see what the lounge Kevin is so excited about is all about! And thanks for the link, Whenever I think of a Poconos resort I think of heart-shaped beds and huge champagne glass soaking tubs.
Author's Response:
kaystar!!!!!!! Hey, girl! :o) I'm laughing at your description of the heart-shaped beds and champagne glass soaking tubs - hee. We rent a cabin in the mountains every year, and until we found the one we've settled on, we were subject to all sorts of brochures with alarming things -- like heart-shaped hot tubs, for example. :o)
Thanks for reviewing!
10 [Report This]Date: August 13, 2007 04:27 pm Title: *Chapter 11: Sometimes You Can't Make It Best You Can Do Is To Fake It
Yay!! The return of Jonathan! As much (mucy?) as I knew that the Roy reveal was coming, it still comes very slyly and surprisingly. Poor Pam- having just about the worst week ever, no? But this can only bod well for our favourite boy ;-)
Author's Response:
You and Mucy can shut it, LOL. :o) Glad the Roy reveal still packed a punch -- thank you for giving me the idea, BTW. And yeah, poor Pam indeed -- whatever will she do? What's that you say? Jim? Bwah!
Thanks for everything!
Date: August 13, 2007 04:24 pm Title: *Chapter 11: Sometimes You Can't Make It Best You Can Do Is To Fake It
First off, missy...Jonathan is played by Ron Livingston. How many times do I need to tell you? Seriously, I was SO crazy glad to see this update. And the plot thickens, to put it mildly. How do you even conceive of these long sagas, much less with alternate endings?
Roy! That cad. And my heart aches for Jim - you are truly the queen of Hurt!Jim. Okay, I just finished this and I'm already jonesing (ahem) for more. Drop everything!
Author's Response:
For you, my friend, Jonathan can be Ron Livingston -- did I tell you I finally watched "Office Space" a month or so ago? (Yes, the awesomeness that is that movie earned my husband the right to say "I told you so" for the rest of our lives - he's been hounding me to watch it for years and years and years.) Anyway...yes, Ron Livingston has my stamp of approval as Jonathan -- actually caught myself watching Arrested Development the other day and thinking about how awesome it would be if Jim had three brothers -- one Scott Foley, one Ron Livingston, and one Jason Bateman (who reminds me of JK for some reason).
Anyway - rambling! Yeah, I had to come up with a way to make what Pam will ultimately do here (*cough*) plausible, and in order to do that...had to make Roy a cad. What can I say? A means to a happy ending, LOL. :o)
Thanks for reviewing!
Date: August 13, 2007 04:05 pm Title: *Chapter 11: Sometimes You Can't Make It Best You Can Do Is To Fake It
awwww... i LOVE scott foley :)
Author's Response:
Listen, I am unhealthily in love with the idea of him as Jim's older brother. Of course, I write Jonathan as a version of Noel -- only less dorky (though seriously, I adore Noel Crane). So I'm always happy to hear that someone else loves good old Scott Foley, too. :o)
Thanks for reviewing!
10 [Report This]Date: August 13, 2007 03:44 pm Title: *Chapter 11: Sometimes You Can't Make It Best You Can Do Is To Fake It
Another great job!
At first I wasn't too sure - who the hell is Elizabeth? ;) But, I came to my senses and realize that you never disappoint.
Beautifully written installment. Can't wait for more.
Author's Response:
Well...don't you worry about Elizabeth, trust me. :o) And she was a lot of the motivation for the choice of chapter title -- specifically "best you can do is to fake it" -- let's just say that's what Jim would be doing with Elizabeth. Wait...I do not mean that in a sexual way at all -- because that is soooooooooo not happening here. Wow, I'm really saying a lot of things. [/Pam] :o)
Thanks so much for the review (and seriously -- no worries about Elizabeth!) --
Date: August 13, 2007 03:29 pm Title: *Chapter 11: Sometimes You Can't Make It Best You Can Do Is To Fake It
ooh interesting! I never expected Roy to mess up like that too! I love having a choose your own ending story and it being from you? Ten times better t oo. Love it! Can't wait to see where else this leads us :)
Author's Response:
Yeah, I debated about that -- but honestly, even though this will fully be AU, I still find myself needing to present a scenario in which Pam's later actions in the story (ahem) could be justifiable -- or perhaps plausible is the right word.... :o)
Thanks so much for reviewing - hope to get the update posted soon!
10 [Report This]Date: August 11, 2007 12:01 pm Title: Chapter 10: Doors You Opened I Just Can't Close
Ahh...so NOT the ending I was preparing myself for. Its really perfect as it stands...but I still can't wait for the AU chapters! Yay!
Author's Response:
Hee -- well, the AU may take you in the direction you were expecting.... :o)
Thanks for reviewing!