10 [Report This]Date: September 25, 2007 05:51 am Title: Chapter 20: Too Scared To Know How I Feel About You Now
What will break the impass? Can't wait to find out.
The way you write, I really FEEL this couple. Thanks for helping bridge the gap between seasons so beautifully.
Author's Response:
Spoiler alert - it'll be Dwight and his spud gun! LOL - I'm kidding, totally kidding. [/Pam]
You are more than welcome for the entertainment between seasons; I'm really thrilled that you're enjoying it, seriously. I've had the best time writing this one.
Thanks again!
10 [Report This]Date: September 23, 2007 04:17 pm Title: Chapter 19: We're Strange Allies With Warring Hearts
What a perfect song choice for this stage in Jim and Pam's relationship. Your writing style is magnificent and while I'd like nothing more than to see them acknowledge their feelings to each other, I think it's more real that they're still cautious right now. Spot on writing as always girl7.
Author's Response:
Yay - glad you liked the chapter title! That one's been swirling around on my list, and I kept bumping it back. (I tell you, picking the chapter titles for this thing has been one of the more surprising challenges, as there are so many excellent little snatches of lyrics that fit so well.)
Also glad that you're enjoying the pacing of this -- because for one thing, I had no idea how to proceed after the whole one-night stand thing. (Gee, that makes it sound like *I* had a one night stand with Jim, no? Heh, if only....) Anyway - yes, I didn't think it'd be realistic to have them just go right back to the way they were before, but honestly, I had absolutely no frame of reference.
The other thing about it is that I'm an impatient writer at times -- anxious to get to the "good" stuff, so I whined a lot to my beta, Starry Dreamer, over this last chapter (sending emails along the lines of, "Gahhhh, this is boring to write!" ...which it actually wasn't; it's just that I've had the ending envisioned for such a long time that I'm eager to get to it.)
Anyway, thank you so much for reviewing!
10 [Report This]Date: September 23, 2007 04:04 pm Title: Chapter 19: We're Strange Allies With Warring Hearts
Like sweet torture. It's amazing how truly you write their voices. I love it and you have really made me miss the show a little less. What kills me, is that once the season starts, you'll probably be posting less, and I'll have to depend on the show to make me miss *you* less...
Author's Response:
Okay, so that review almost made me cry --- such kind words. Thank you so much, seriously. It's hard to articulate, but truly, I began writing fanfic without intending to show it to anyone on earth (let alone put it on the internet!). So to hear that people are interested in what I've written and are enjoying it is just beyond wonderful.
As for my writing less when the premiere rolls around, all I'll say is this: There have been a few points when I've thought, well, I'll probably stop writing now...and it hasn't happened yet. :o)
Thank you, seriously, for your thoughtful words!
Date: September 23, 2007 03:15 pm Title: Chapter 19: We're Strange Allies With Warring Hearts
I'm sad to see the end of this coming, but I'm excited to see Jim and Pam actually coming back to each other, better and together. Great job as usual.
Author's Response:
Ha - you think you're sad! I was sitting here earlier thinking, oh now...what am I going to do this weekend? LOL...such a dork, I know.
In any case, thanks so much for your review (well, all your reviews, actually!) :o)
Date: September 23, 2007 02:55 pm Title: Chapter 10: Doors You Opened I Just Can't Close
That's a very intriguing idea, to think that they have so much more history that we know about, especially when it includes all the stuff you added. Very well done. Off to AUland!
Author's Response:
It's funny you mention that -- because it was the kernal that spawned this whole story. I was fascinated with the idea that maybe something had happened between them years before the cameras came, and that's where the story came from.
Thanks so much for reviewing - hope you have fun in AU land! LOL
Date: September 23, 2007 02:29 pm Title: Chapter 19: We're Strange Allies With Warring Hearts
Another great chapter. I love them slowly feeling their way in this. The interactions with Roy are interesting, especially with Roy knowing Pam's feelings more than Jim does. He has to be even more puzzled than he was in The Negotiation at Pam not actively going for it with Jim after all this. I think this whole AU scenario is interesting, as I think the lack of cameras might make them even less apt to be open, with no one constantly calling on them to open up about their feelings and their relationship, especially Pam who seems to have so few confidantes.
Author's Response:
As usual, you offer an insight I hadn't even considered! It is weird that Roy knows more than Jim does, huh? I have to admit that I've wanted to do more with Roy here; I tend to write him sympathetically because I really love what they did with him in season 3 (well, except for that whole, "I am gonna kill Jim Halpert" thing, hee). Or maybe I just have a soft spot for David Denman (definitely that!). In any case, I'd really like to tie up the loose ends between Pam & Roy, but I'm not sure I've got it in me before Thursday. :o)
All this rambling to say: Thanks so much for yet another insightful review; you rock!
Date: September 23, 2007 02:23 pm Title: Chapter 19: We're Strange Allies With Warring Hearts
I am loving this AU version of this story more and more. I have been reading it from the beginning and am always a little excited when I see that a new chapter has been posted.
I can't wait for the conclusion.
Author's Response:
So glad you're enjoying it! It's really strange to realize that this AU version -- which has spanned so many more chapters -- is so different from the original ending I had in mind. Still, though, I'm so glad people wanted me to write it, because it's definitely been a challenge -- albeit one I've totally enjoyed.
Thanks so much for reviewing!
10 [Report This]Date: September 23, 2007 02:22 pm Title: Chapter 18: And Fate Has Led You Through It You Do What You Have To Do
I just sat and read all the way up to this chapter, and I completely love this! You're such an amazing writer, you captured all of their feelings perfectly. Amazing job! Off to the next chapter!
Author's Response:
Holy cow, you read it all in one sitting? Are your eyes bleeding? :o) I'm really glad to hear you enjoyed it; lord knows I've had a ball writing it.
Thanks for taking the time to review!
Date: September 21, 2007 10:11 am Title: Chapter 18: And Fate Has Led You Through It You Do What You Have To Do
Bravo! I was so excited to see an update! Hooray Pam! She did it! This chapter was written extremely well. Can't wait for the rest!
Author's Response:
Thank you so much! I picked and picked at this one, and Starry Dreamer (my beta) suffered through god knows how many versions. :O)
Thanks so much for reviewing!
10 [Report This]Date: September 21, 2007 08:12 am Title: Chapter 18: And Fate Has Led You Through It You Do What You Have To Do
Oh Girl7...another amazing chapter! I love that you hit Pam with the visual of Jim bloodied and beaten to make her realize that she had done the same to him emotionally. I also love you for the fact that you let the chapter end without them both falling into each other's arms. After all that has happened, they both need some time to clear their heads and start fresh. I cannot wait for the ensuing fluff!!
Author's Response:
Thank you so much -- I'm really glad that resonated with you. I just kept thinking that it's easy for her to fool herself about the gravity of what she's done to him, so to see physical, empirical evidence of that would surely have to shake her. I'm happy to hear, too, that you liked the pacing -- I didn't think for a second they'd fall right back into each other's arms (no matter how tempting it was to write it that way, hee).
Hope you enjoy the fluff to come! (There's surely a TWSS in there, but I don't know that I dare....LOL.)
Thanks for reviewing!
10 [Report This]Date: September 21, 2007 12:13 am Title: Chapter 18: And Fate Has Led You Through It You Do What You Have To Do
This is absolutely beautiful.
It's kind of hard to write a crying scene and have it come off the way it does in real life, but you did that perfectly. I had tears in my eyes right along with Pam, it was so moving. And I feel that things can get better, so I can't wait for the next installments. This has been such an amazing story - in both variations - that I can't believe it'll be over soon.
Author's Response:
Gah - you people are so awesome, I tell you. :o) Honestly, the crying scenes are among those that I really struggle with, because it's such a tenuous line between melodrama and believable sadness. So it's great to hear that you thought it was believable, because I did struggle with that issue in particular.
...And yeah, I can't believe it'll be over soon either; this story has sort of sucked me right in to the point at which I won't know what to do with myself when it's over. :o)
Thanks so much for the review!
Date: September 20, 2007 09:26 pm Title: Chapter 18: And Fate Has Led You Through It You Do What You Have To Do
Sure enough, there's Jonathan all ready to be the catalyst. (And Scott Foley's an excellent choice for the imagination-it's funny because to some degree I think Pam has some similarities to Felicity, at least in a curly haired artsy type sort of way....)
Anyhow, I love how you draw out the tension so well. Wow I'm dying to just see these two happy, I think this seems so natural for them both to not just really rush headlong into this relationship after everything. We've seen Jim time and again detach when wounded, and I don't think Pam crying and being vulnerable would just make the self-protective instinct go away. I also think it's natural that Pam couldn't quite spill everything in the moment with Jim, especially once the tension had dissipated a bit and the need wasn't quite as desperate to show her feelings. I like that they seem to be on a somewhat more level playing field relationship wise right now, with them both being free, but hurt and a bit unsure where the other stands. Can't wait for more!
Author's Response:
So glad you like S. Foley as Jonathan; I'm telling you, the idea struck me a year ago, and when I watched that video on youtube the other day, it was like....YES! That's him in a nutshell! And I agree with you about the similarities between Felicity and Pam -- I noticed that myself.
I have to say, given your never-failing insights, I'm thrilled to read that you thought the pacing here was believable. It's frustrating to write in a lot of ways -- I'm dying to get to the "good stuff," so to speak, but I really don't believe that either of these characters would be willing (or able, honestly) to jump in with both feet.
As always, thank you so much for sharing your thoughtful perspective - it's always a treat to read your take!
10 [Report This]Date: September 20, 2007 08:56 pm Title: Chapter 18: And Fate Has Led You Through It You Do What You Have To Do
Oh, Pam. So close to what really needed to be said.
I loved the tension. I love the crying and the heartbreaking angst. You are so good at this. I wish Pam had said more, but I get why she didn't. Just amazing work.
Author's Response:
Gah - thank you! Let me tell you (as if this is a newsflash): I absolutely love writing the angst, and I do not know why (totally hate drama in my "real" life, hee). But I worried that this might be over the top, always worry that it's over the top when Pam cries.
I remember reading a comment from when I first started writing and posting Office fanfic (over a year ago), and the person (it was a message board type thing, not a review) was criticizing what I'd written, saying that Pam is not a crier. Even though I'd beg to differ -- the pilot, "Boys and Girls," "Back From Vacation," and "The Job" (granted, some of those happened after the criticism) - I still pause every time I write a weepy Pam scene.
So it's nice to hear you say you enjoyed it! (A long rambling way to saying that...) :o)
Thanks for reviewing!
10 [Report This]Date: September 20, 2007 08:16 pm Title: Chapter 18: And Fate Has Led You Through It You Do What You Have To Do
I had tears welling in my eyes from about the 3rd chapter girl7. So much heartbreaking emotion for Jim and Pam at this moment in time. You write the love and fear they're both feeling with real eloquence and insight. Having been in a similar place, the feelings are very real.
Beautiful work!
Author's Response:
Thank you so much -- really; it's great to hear that you've been there and this rings true. I often do draw on personal experience -- sometimes entire scenes, othertimes a small kernel of something I've lived -- but this one has thrown me, because I really don't have any experience that remotely resembles where they are now (i.e. having had the one night stand, trying to make their way back).
I felt a little like I was flying blind -- relying on just imagining what it'd be like in that situation - so it's really reassuring to hear that it rang true for you.
Thanks so much for reviewing!
Date: September 20, 2007 07:54 pm Title: Chapter 1: Content to Compromise
Wow. I love the angst and this is so well written and so believable. The hurt and the pain the two have inflicted on each other is so heartwrenching and so well written and I'm out of ways to say how much I love this story.
Author's Response:
Yikes -- I am so sorry; I somehow missed your review last night when I was doing my responses!
Anyway - thank you (yet again) for taking the time to review. So, so glad you're still enjoying the story!
Date: September 20, 2007 07:53 pm Title: Chapter 18: And Fate Has Led You Through It You Do What You Have To Do
Wow. I love how you worked in the 'you'll find your way back to each other someday' from The Negotiation into this. That just cuts to the bone, doesn't it?
And the idea of them needing to be friends again is so true. I hope we see some of "S2 Pam & Jim as friends" again, in addition to the "S4 Pam & Jim as more than that". You have to have trust before you can be vulnerable enough allow another person into your heart.
Author's Response:
Ooh, glad you liked that, lisahoo! I think I've mentioned before that I've hesitated a little at tying in season 3 canon here -- but I've found myself doing it more than once.
(Let us all pause for a resounding "That's what she said!" ...Amen.)
Glad you like the slow progression -- it's not making for the most fun writing experience as I write the next chapter, with them tiptoeing back to some semblence of where they were before, but I do think it's necessary. I totally agree with you that it wouldn't be realistic if they just jumped headlong into "more than that."
Thanks, as always, for your feedback!
Author's Response:
Ooh, glad you liked that, lisahoo! I think I've mentioned before that I've hesitated a little at tying in season 3 canon here -- but I've found myself doing it more than once.
(Let us all pause for a resounding "That's what she said!" ...Amen.)
Glad you like the slow progression -- it's not making for the most fun writing experience as I write the next chapter, with them tiptoeing back to some semblence of where they were before, but I do think it's necessary. I totally agree with you that it wouldn't be realistic if they just jumped headlong into "more than that."
Thanks, as always, for your feedback!
Date: September 20, 2007 07:47 pm Title: Chapter 18: And Fate Has Led You Through It You Do What You Have To Do
First: this is uncanny. Today. TODAY. For the first time in years, I got the urge to listen to...Surfacing. And which song did I replay like three times? Yup. That, is freaky, my friend.
OK. This got me a little ferklempt, so as coherently as I can: I literally want to water-board Pam until she finally fesses up! Aarrgghh. A delicious kind of agony (which you do so well)...but dang.
Here's the difference in our styles in a nutshell: in my post Cocktails fic, when I had Pam come to Jim's place to find him all bruised and hurt and angry, what did I have her do? Climb right into bed with him, that's what, lol. You are a much more patient author than I, my dear.
Happily, my attention span as a reader surpasses it as a writer, so I'm hanging in there with you. And loving the ride. But, have mercy. Jim and I can't take much more. (Ah, but I know the reward will be sweet....)
Author's Response:
Shall we just go ahead and let the record show that we sometimes share a brainwave? :o) Very, very weird (but flattering -- am honored to share the occasional mutual impulse with you, my dear).
Oddly enough, I stumbled upon "Do What You Have to Do" via feeding my latest TV crush: Greg House. (Byronic hero, anyone? Jesus....) Anyway, found a video on youtube that was House-centric, but I was completely distracted by the realization that the lyrics would fit as the chapter title.
And funny you should say that I'm a "patient" author -- Starry Dreamer just got a whiny email from me telling her I'm boring myself in writing this next chapter, because I'm eager to get to the "good" stuff (read: angst, smut) -- but I've got to write the requisite bridge chapter, you know?
Also: your post-Cocktails was simply brilliant. I recall re-reading it twice before I was even able to leave a review....
All this rambling to say -- thanks so much for the feedback; you rock!
Date: September 19, 2007 11:25 am Title: Chapter 15: It's All Right, I'm Okay; I Think God Can Explain
Man. You're killing me. I'm with Jonathon. Jim had better get MAD and he'd better do it soon. I can not take much more of Pam and her fucking bullshit.
Author's Response:
I'm sorry I'm killing you. :o) And I promise, Pam will straighten up soon (and she will also have to sit with the decisions she's made -- or rather, refused to make, as the case may be).
Thanks for reviewing!
Date: September 17, 2007 09:51 am Title: Chapter 17: What the Head Makes Cloudy the Heart Makes Very Clear
Nice, nice job with the Roy/Jim confrontation and totally as it probably would have gone were we not constrained by the fact that The Office is a comedy. I definitely think Roy would have waited outside, rather than burst into the office with everyone around. And I also agree that Jim would have been angry enough to swing at Roy.
Ok, Halpert's in the shower, Jon's downstairs and Pam's on her way over. I like where you're heading with this, girl7. Looking foward to an update on my Blackberry soon!
Author's Response:
First: I told you that your icon on the forums makes my bone marrow burn, right? Holy god, woman. :o)
Glad you liked the Jim/Roy thing -- it was a hard scene to write, because on the surface...well, how stupid is it to imagine two grown men resorting to physical violence? Come on! [/Gob Bleuth]
But it was important to me to show Jim's anger -- which we didn't get to see much of on the show, because as you mention, it's a comedy.
And anytime I can get Halpert in the shower is a good thing. Hee. :o)
Thanks so much for reviewing!
Date: September 16, 2007 08:35 pm Title: Chapter 17: What the Head Makes Cloudy the Heart Makes Very Clear
Go Pam!!!!
I LOVE this! I especially loved the flashback paragraph.
Can't wait for more!
Author's Response:
Thanks! It's weird - I almost deleted that flashback paragraph because I was worried it was awkward or clunky -- so it's really nice to hear that you liked it. :o)
Thanks for reviewing!
Date: September 16, 2007 01:41 pm Title: Chapter 17: What the Head Makes Cloudy the Heart Makes Very Clear
This just rocks my world on so many levels. This is my favorite story...ever. Additionally, you managed to tie in my other obsession...Don Henley. Though New York Minute is not my favorite song, I did a little dance when I opened up this chapter and saw the title. Can't wait to read more.
Author's Response:
Seriously? Wow. That's really, really great to hear! And I'm glad you're a Don Henley fan -- the lyric sort of struck me as apropos here, so I thought I'd go with it.
Thanks so much for reviewing!
Date: September 16, 2007 08:28 am Title: Chapter 17: What the Head Makes Cloudy the Heart Makes Very Clear
Wow, what a cliffhanger! I can't wait for the next chapter, this is so great girl7.
Author's Response:
So glad you're enjoying it, big haircut! (And your name just makes me cackle -- I always hear Andy: "From henceforth you shall be known as Big Haircut." ...The illustrious Cornell alumn doesn't recognize redundancy, hee....)
Anyway - thanks so much for reviewing!
10 [Report This]Date: September 16, 2007 05:12 am Title: Chapter 17: What the Head Makes Cloudy the Heart Makes Very Clear
This story has been my addiction since you started it. I wake up every morning looking for the next chapter for my "fix". You've taken it in a completely different direction than the show and yet you've kept true to the characters and how they might have reacted in these situations. Excellent work. Definitely looking forward to more of the AU chapters.
Author's Response:
Oh wow - seriously, you have no idea how thrilling it is to hear that you're waiting for updates. I'm so not kidding; I'm having such a great time writing this that to know someone's actually looking forward to updates is just amazing.
It means a lot, too, that you think the characters remain true in spite of the direction here - because I've really, really struggled with that.
Anyway - thank you so much for your feedback!
Date: September 16, 2007 12:27 am Title: Chapter 17: What the Head Makes Cloudy the Heart Makes Very Clear
Oh GOD what happens next??? PLEASE let it be a happy reunion!!!!!
Author's Response: Hee -- there will be a happy ENDING, I promise. :o)
10 [Report This]Date: September 16, 2007 12:20 am Title: Chapter 17: What the Head Makes Cloudy the Heart Makes Very Clear
You have the next chapter all ready to post, right? Right?
I can't wait until the AU is finished so I can go back and read it all at once :)
Author's Response:
Well I'm pathetically behind on my review responses, so the next chapter in question has already been posted. ...And the one after that is absolutely giving me fits. :o)
In any case -- am shooting to finish this before the premiere (fingers crossed)....
Thanks for reviewing!