Date: July 25, 2007 09:06 am Title: Chapter 6: Into the Sea of Waking Dreams
When I saw you had updated, I did a Dwight fist pump and poured another cup of coffee. Another awesome chapter, as usual. Love Meredith in this, helping Pam with her wardrobe choices and pointing out the obvious. Ah, I knew the night wouldn't be over when they returned to their respective rooms. So when's the next chapter coming? I need to know when I should start refreshing the page every five minutes. Again.
Author's Response:
The image of your Dwight fist pump made me grin. :o) And you're right -- the night isn't over yet. (Nowhere NEAR it, in fact...heh heh *insert pervy Kevin smile*)
I'll be updating later tonight if I can get the next chapter edited; I can't keep from picking at it, LOL.
Thanks so much for reviewing (and for saying you're excited for updates -- as I said in a previous response, it's really a thrill to hear that) --
Date: July 25, 2007 09:00 am Title: Chapter 6: Into the Sea of Waking Dreams
Cruel! That was just CRUEL ending it like that.
I'm loving this story - and I think that you should not return to work in the fall and just write fanfic all of the time. Seriously - I'm getting spoiled with the constant updates. So, please, spoil me again later today with another one? Pretty please?
SEriously - I'm loving this! YAY!
Author's Response:
I'm evil like a hobbit, I know!!! And OMG...if only I could sit around and write fanfic all day every day; I'd be thrilled, seriously. I'll probably be posting the next chapter some time tonight if I can get a chance (gotta pick at it some more, you know...)
Thanks so much for the review, and really, it's stupid how excited I am to hear you say you're loving the story and waiting for updates! :o)
Date: July 25, 2007 08:46 am Title: Chapter 6: Into the Sea of Waking Dreams
I think the real story here is with Meredith and Abe Lincoln! Haha. Kidding! Another great installment. I love how you have portrayed Pam as being so conflicted over what she's feeling for Jim. Last chapter I was getting a little annoyed with her, but now I remember how tough it is for her as well. And the dream was pretty hot :-) Can't wait to find out what happens after he opens the door!
Author's Response:
Meredith and Abe! I toyed with the idea of her bringing Creed back to their room, but I figured that would've probably traumatized Pam so much she'd have been unable to even move, heh. I'm glad Pam's inner conflict came out here -- you'll likely be annoyed at her a few more times before this is all over (LOL), but...well, she was a long way from FNB/DCMP back then. :o)
Thanks so much for reviewing - and so quickly!
Date: July 25, 2007 08:41 am Title: Chapter 6: Into the Sea of Waking Dreams
Very good. Tense! Keep going!
Author's Response: Yay - tension's what I'm going for, so thanks! More's on the way.... (Is TWSS?)
Date: July 25, 2007 08:40 am Title: Chapter 6: Into the Sea of Waking Dreams
Is it so wrong that I'm incredibly pleased with both Meredith and Angela for shoving Pam towards this? Because I am, and I am so loving this story. The dance floor banter was hysterical. Pam's dream, magical. Oh if only...
Author's Response: Hee - no, it's not wrong at all! Denial and repression are bad, bad things...so Angela & Meredith are doing them a big favor, LOL. Glad you liked the dance floor banter and Pam's dream, hee. Thanks so much for reviewing!
Date: July 25, 2007 07:40 am Title: Chapter 5: We Won't Touch; We'll Just Wait For Signs
O.K so this is such a great story! I feel like my last review wasn't long enough to convey my love for this!! First of all going back to the previous chapter, I love how you have written Meredith. In a lot of fanfic she is written as a kind of pathetic character, but you write her as I see her...as a rebel!! I love Meredith, she's a rock star!
Next...I was thinking about why this story in particular seems to grab my attention more than other Jam stories. I think the fact that this is set a long time before the cameras makes it fresh. "Past" Jim and Pam seem to have a lot less baggage than "current" Jim and Pam. Obviously they still have TONS of baggage, even at this early point, but it's refreshing to have them free from the weight of "Casino Night" and Karen.
Please update soon... You are a great writer, way to build up the tension!!
Author's Response:
Wow, thanks! I'm glad you like my Meredith - I think it's easy to write her as a one-note character because the show tends to present her that way, but I was interested in rounding her out just a little. I'm not straying too far from that one note, I fear (heh), but I like writing a dynamic between her and Pam.
It's also great to hear you say that you were drawn to the story because it's pre-cameras -- that's one of the reservations I had when I started writing it: Would anybody care if it's set a few years in the past? So it's good to hear that that's a point of interest for you!
I just posted an update, will likely post another later today or tomorrow. I'm writing like a fiend over here - the phone rang just now and nearly gave me a heart attack, LOL.
Thanks so much for another thoughtful review!
Date: July 25, 2007 06:36 am Title: Chapter 5: We Won't Touch; We'll Just Wait For Signs
Really love having them in this other environment. It makes it all the more intimate(if that makes sense)and I can really see the surroundings as I read this. Wonderful job and looking forward to more!
Author's Response:
Hey, thanks so much! The idea of them being away from the office for an extended period of time (i.e. a retreat like this) and that sort of throwing them into a completely different realm emotionally was the basic concept around which the rest of the story sort of evolved. (And that was, I'm sure, the most awkward sentence ever written.)
So glad you're enjoying it - and more's on its way (will be updating in about an hour or two) --
Thanks for reviewing!
Date: July 24, 2007 08:04 pm Title: Chapter 5: We Won't Touch; We'll Just Wait For Signs
I love how they are both so aware of the potential and the heat in the air between them, simply by changing the setting. Very magical and so true to life. Anything can happen (and hopefully will) or poor Jim is gonna die from frustration.
Author's Response:
I'm glad that sense is coming through, because I've really been trying to convey that sense of the surreal or of escape -- and definitely, the notion of there suddenly being possibilities (or the feeling of that) where there usually aren't is another thing I wanted to emphasize.
Thanks so much for the review!
10 [Report This]Date: July 24, 2007 08:00 pm Title: Chapter 5: We Won't Touch; We'll Just Wait For Signs
I've recently realized somthing. I don't leave you a lot of reviews. Not because I don't love your stories but because I do. I am hopelessly hooked on yet another girl7 story. You get so many awesome reviews that I just don't think there's really anything useful I can add. Anyway, you're awesome, for this story and all of your others and I will really try to review more as that is the only currency I have to offer here.
PS. Jim in scrubs, yum!
Author's Response:
Wow -- thank you! I know what you mean about reviews; there are so many awesome writers on this site that I often feel like I'm just saying the same things in my reviews, but I tell you, it's always good to hear that someone read your fic & liked it, even if the review is short. :o)
And I really appreciate your kind words -- so glad you're enjoying this! Re: Jim in scrubs....yesshh. That image may have slipped in there because of JK wearing scrubs in LtW (only he had a shirt on underneath them, but whatevs...LOL).
Thanks again for the review!
10 [Report This]Date: July 24, 2007 07:49 pm Title: Chapter 5: We Won't Touch; We'll Just Wait For Signs
I LIVE for updates to this! You need to have it published as a leather-bound book, so I can curl up next to the fireplace & read it whenever I want, since I can't curl up with my desktop. I really like how you're taking it slow & making it detailed...it's paints such a vivid picture while I'm reading it. It's so very well-written & true to character. Really excellent work!!
Author's Response:
It made me smile so big to read that (that you're living for updates) because I'm having such a ball writing this (which says sick things about me, given the angst, LOL)! And the image you created of curling up in front of a fire made me want to sob because I live in the South and it's HOT here, hee. Seriously though - so glad you're enjoying this! I'll be updating it soon (before noon today)....
Thanks again!
Date: July 24, 2007 02:25 pm Title: Chapter 5: We Won't Touch; We'll Just Wait For Signs
Hooboy. You sure know how to pack a punch in a two word phrase. "Doesn't count." "No running." And I was very impressed with your description of Jim feeling the futility of his friendship with Pam and his longing for something tangible in the short flashback with Toby. Yearning. Poor Jim. This would be so much more painful if we didn't have an accepted dinner date as canon!
Author's Response:
Wow, thanks so much for that thoughtful review; I keep saying it, I know, but I can't tell you how nice it is to hear exactly what people liked/didn't/found moving. And I'm glad you said what you did at the end there (i.e. that it'd be so much more painful if we weren't post-The Job/official date coming up), because I love writing angst (why, I don't know!), and that happy ending in the finale (uh, TWSS) sort of made me feel a little better about torturing poor Jim in my fics. :o)
Thanks again for that great review!
Date: July 24, 2007 02:18 pm Title: Chapter 5: We Won't Touch; We'll Just Wait For Signs
Oh, wow, Jim's thoughts about Toby just hit me in the grief bone.
"...he was genuinely jealous of Toby. Not because Toby's life was so much better than his own, but at least Toby had something to lose."
That explains a lot about Jim & Toby's friendship.
Author's Response:
You know, that's one of those parts that just came out as I was writing it - wasn't planned. But I love Toby, and I imagine he's got a sad, sad story (other than just the one involving him working with a boss who harbors such an outrageously irrational hatred of him, LOL). And I've also always been fascinated with Jim & Toby's "back story" as friends, so to speak.
Thanks so much for the review -- so glad you're enjoying this!
Date: July 24, 2007 01:32 pm Title: Chapter 5: We Won't Touch; We'll Just Wait For Signs
So much love for this story! And I can't wait for more. Oh, and this:
she doesn't say a word as she reaches without looking down to grasp at the open neck of her own shirt, pulling the fabric together to cover herself and clutching it tight.
"Don't do that." He whispers
Killed me.
Author's Response:
Heh - listen, it would kill me just to hear him whisper anything at all. :o) So glad you're enjoying this and are excited for more; I'll be updating in just a little while (later this morning).
Thanks for reviewing!
Date: July 24, 2007 12:41 pm Title: Chapter 5: We Won't Touch; We'll Just Wait For Signs
Excellent!
Author's Response: Thanks, batman29!
Date: July 24, 2007 11:58 am Title: Chapter 4: Making Spells As the Shadows Close In
I forgot to mention last chapter how amused I was by the idea of Meredith and Creed hooking up! Also, last chapter I read nqllisi's comment about finally seeing why so many people find Pam to be at fault for leading him on. You're making me see it, too. Not that I hate her or anything now! But it's an interesting peak into her psyche. I knew something was going to happen when she accepted the drink from Meredith; they do always seem to end up...close when Pam's been drinking. Her attraction to Jim's natural scent rang true for me because I definitely find Mr. b's normal body smell to be nice. Chemistry, pheromones, all that scientific dissection of "true love". You've got a lot going on but I think it's working well together! And ooh, I see there's another new chapter so I'd better hop to it.
Author's Response:
Ha - in my perfect world, Creed and Meredith end up together (and he's the one she made the "secret sex pact" with, heh). And yeah, while I am most definitely not a Pam hater -- sympathize with them both -- I do think she's guilty of leading him on, at least in as much as she relies on him to fill in the emotional blanks left by Roy. I just can't believe -- given episodes like "Booze Cruise," "The Client," and "Drug Testing" (GUH) -- that she's oblivious to his feelings.
That said, her reaction on Casino Night (seriously -- how did Jenna Fischer manage to make herself actually go pale??) showed (IMHO) that she didn't realize just how much he felt for her.
And yeah, a lot of my Jim/Pam fics involve alcohol, and the reason for that is simple: It would lower their inhibitions, make them get closer to really saying/doing what they mean/feel. ...Plus it's kinda fun to write them as all out of control, with wine as a pseudo get-out-of-jail-free card, LOL.
Thanks so much for the review!
Date: July 24, 2007 11:11 am Title: Chapter 5: We Won't Touch; We'll Just Wait For Signs
Man I never want to stop reading. Why are there such a thing as chapters. update soon!
Author's Response:
Ha! You are so sweet! Well, I can promise you that there'll be very quick updates on this one; I'm just editing the last few chapters now, so...soon, I promise. :o)
Thanks for reviewing!
Date: July 24, 2007 10:32 am Title: Chapter 5: We Won't Touch; We'll Just Wait For Signs
No running. No two words could sum up their relationship better. Balloon Bop was hilarious- I can totally see Michael planning somehting like that. I can't wait for people to read what you have in store for Jim and Pam. (eeee!!!!)
Author's Response:
Amen to that, sister (the no running)! I, too, can totally see Michael Scott being an enormous fan of balloons, LOL. And yeah...it's gonna get hotter, heh.
Thanks for the review and the beta'ing!
Date: July 24, 2007 09:52 am Title: Chapter 5: We Won't Touch; We'll Just Wait For Signs
Oh, girl7, I was sitting here at work, so bored I was about to stab pens in my eyes, and you updated! Too bad I don't have a Jim in my office to save me from dying of boredom...
Anyways, another stellar effort. I honestly feel like I'm reading a published novel or something. There were so many lines that were just so well-written. I'd quote them here but then we'd be here all day!
You did a nice job getting things back to "normal" with the crazy Michael balloon games - totally something I could see him doing, by the way! Poor Jim is so tortured. That dream was just...guh! I loved how he waited for her with his door open, but made it look like he wasn't exactly waiting for her, even though that's totally what he was doing. I wonder if Pam knows just how much control she has over the situation?
Author's Response:
Aww - thanks! I'm glad I gave you a respite from the work boredom. :o) This is one of those stories that has -as I often put it - made me its bitch, which means that I can't stop working on it, LOL. So I'll be updating it fairly quickly. Glad you liked the balloon game section; I was worried that it might be a boring read (hee), but I was trying to diffuse some of that tension.
And the dream...sigh. That's my way of getting around the fact that they're not having sex, LOL. Re: Your question about Pam -- actually, that's something that's addressed in chapter nine (I think). But in short: She knows (or at least, in my mind) that he's interested in her, attracted to her - but she has no idea the magnitude of it.
This is not to say she won't find out. :oD (How's that for a tease??)
Thanks again for another thoughtful review!
Date: July 24, 2007 09:42 am Title: Chapter 4: Making Spells As the Shadows Close In
Wow. I could feel the heat and chemistry coming off of them. GREAT chapter. Can't wait for more!
Author's Response:
I'm really glad you liked it! I'll be updating again either later tonight or early tomorrow.
Thanks again!
Date: July 23, 2007 09:38 pm Title: Chapter 4: Making Spells As the Shadows Close In
Guh. How do you do it? I swear I can practically smell Jim Halpert. *dreamy look* I am loving so much what you're choosing this story to be. The flirting, dancing and giggling is just so yummy. The dialogue is so fresh and funny. Your Meredith seriously broke my brain! Great rack?! Hee!
And then you bring the pain:
...he has to step carefully; if he comes on too strong, the guilt will send her scurrying back to that shell of resignation that she calls happiness.
Just so f'ing true. *showers you in air-conditioners* How'd you get to be so awesome? :-)!
I am loving the collision course Jim and Pam are on. Don't chicken out, Pam! (We need us some smooches!) :-)! ::bounce-bounce:: Can't wait for the next exciting chapter! ::bounce-bounce::
Author's Response:
Hee hee -- thank you for the air conditioners (ours is working again, thank god). I'm really glad you're enjoying this; I'm having a good time writing it, let me tell you.
And I will say this: Your Smiley!Jim icon will be a very happy little icon before it's all over. (That sounded incredibly dirty and just wrong, didn't it? LOL)
Thanks, as always, for the review!!
Date: July 23, 2007 08:35 pm Title: Chapter 4: Making Spells As the Shadows Close In
Wow what a wonderful writer you are! Please continue...I cant wait to read what happens next!!!
Author's Response:
Thank you so much! Just posted an update, and will likely post another one tomorrow....
Thanks again for the review!
10 [Report This]Date: July 23, 2007 07:50 pm Title: Chapter 4: Making Spells As the Shadows Close In
AMAZING!
Author's Response: Thanks so much!!!! :o)
10 [Report This]Date: July 23, 2007 06:43 pm Title: Chapter 4: Making Spells As the Shadows Close In
This is one of the best fic's I've read in a while! I love the way you write inside Pam's head....it's so realistic for anyone who's been in this situation. I can't wait to read more!!! Awesome writing!!
Author's Response:
Oh my god - really? Wow -- thanks so much! (Honestly - nine times out of ten, when I read someone else's work on here, I come away just in awe -- so, so, so many talented people here....)
I'm glad you thought the Pam p.o.v. was accurate -- I'm a visual writer (I guess is how you'd say it); I have to see the scenes I write before I can construct them. (This sounds so totally pretentious, but stay with me -- there's a very anticlimactic point, LOL.)
But with Pam (and Jim, actually), I try to draw on whatever personal experience I may have with the scenario in the hopes of making it more realistic.
All this to say: Your review was really great, and I so appreciate it! I'll update again tomorrow --
Date: July 23, 2007 06:24 pm Title: Chapter 4: Making Spells As the Shadows Close In
Honestly, your writing is just gorgeous to read. I don't know how many of these Jim/Pam steamy scenes of yours I've read, but every single time, it's something new and unique. I never feel that it's something I've read before. There's this whole "27 seconds" intensity about the dancing, with Pam sending definite signals and Jim trying desperately to fight the attraction and failing.
Hmm...Jim's pretty drunk now and determined. Is Pam going to backtrack now that she's pushed too far? Next chapter ASAP??? Much love to ya!
Author's Response:
First, you're just so awesome for having been such an amazingly consistent reviewer for such a long time -- honestly, even as a fic writer (who - trust me - knows the value of reviews) -- I find it so much easier sometimes to just read and not review (though I usually do the "right" thing and leave feedback, LOL). So I know it'd be easy for you to just read through things and not comment -- but you take the time, and your reviews are always so thoughtful.
In short: I really appreciate you & your feedback. Hee.
And as for your comments re: this being unique -- one of the concerns that I voiced to Starry Dreamer (my trusty beta) was that I didn't want to be repetitive, because it's so easy to end up writing a variation of the same thing. So to hear you say that you've read a lot of my stuff and didn't find this repetitive is the biggest compliment you could give me -- honestly.
So thank you for that. :o)
And yes, a drunk & determined Jim + a drunk, out of control Pam = loads of writing material for me, LOL.
Thanks again!
Date: July 23, 2007 03:40 pm Title: Chapter 4: Making Spells As the Shadows Close In
What a great chapter!! I needed to read something like this, the Harry Potter epilogue bummed me out so much ;) This was fantastic! I can't wait for the rest
Author's Response:
Aww, I'm glad it pulled you out of the HP funk. (For the sake of other readers who might read review responses: am totally, totally unspoiled w/r/t HP. My husband, on the other hand....hee.)
Seriously -- so glad to know that you enjoyed this! I'll be updating very soon (like, tomorrow) --