10 [Report This]Date: September 15, 2007 09:05 pm Title: Chapter 17: What the Head Makes Cloudy the Heart Makes Very Clear
Amazing! I really loved that Jim got a swing in before Darryl broke up the fight. I really can't wait to see Pam's arrival at Jim's and what happens next!
Author's Response: Ha - yes, it was really important to me that he get in at least one good swing. :o) Thanks so much for reviewing!
10 [Report This]Date: September 15, 2007 08:25 pm Title: Chapter 17: What the Head Makes Cloudy the Heart Makes Very Clear
yeah Law and Order SVU reference!!! Ugh this is killing me. I cannot wait for more. You seriously seriously rock.
Author's Response:
Hee - had to give a shoutout! (Though I must admit: House has completely stolen Eliot Stabler's place as my TV boyfriend [before you ask - JK's my TV husband, LOL] - there's brooding & tortured [Eliot], and then there's brooding and wounded [guh, House]. Yes, I am aware of how pathetic that entire paragraph was. Heh.)
ANyway - so glad you're enjoying this!
Date: September 15, 2007 05:26 pm Title: Chapter 17: What the Head Makes Cloudy the Heart Makes Very Clear
Awesome chapter as always! I loved the major FNB moment. And I really like the way you write Jim and Jonathan together. Their relationship seems very true to life. And this is coming from someone with a lot of siblings, so good job with that! ;)
Author's Response:
Thank you so much for the sibling comment -- it's so good to hear that it rings true. (I have an older brother, but we do not relate in the same way as Jim/Jon -- likely because I'm a girl and he's a boy, LOL.)
Seriously, though -- thanks for reviewing!
Date: September 15, 2007 03:42 pm Title: Chapter 17: What the Head Makes Cloudy the Heart Makes Very Clear
I really like how you're moving things forward and drawing it out. I think Pam having her epiphany and knowing she is in love with Jim would not immediately send her out to confront Jim. I like all the S3 callbacks, especially that courage and honesty aren't her strengths. Plus, that was a bit of a spark of FNB there, getting Roy to back off. I really like that Pam, much like on the show, didn't just realize she loves Jim and then tell him. I think her personality is such that she would need a catalyst to act on those feelings.
Author's Response:
Sometimes your reviews are so prophetic it's eerie -- seriously. (Let's just say catalyst = Jonathan and leave it at that for now.)
I'm glad it rang true that Pam wouldn't be able to work up the nerve to just run and tell him; I do think it'd be hard for her to muster the courage -- especially in this scenario. I've deliberately not had him tell her how he feels, because I was interested in exploring the dynamic if Pam had to reach her conclusion without having heard him say, "I'm in love with you."
It's also great to hear you say you're enjoying the callbacks to season 3; I wondered about those, ultimately deciding that they could work here because they're technically canon. (I was particularly grateful to G. Daniels -- or whoever wrote "Cocktails" and "The Negotiation" -- for making an outraged!Roy a plausible thing.)
Thanks so much, as always, for your review -- always so insightful and thought provoking!
Date: September 15, 2007 03:32 pm Title: Chapter 17: What the Head Makes Cloudy the Heart Makes Very Clear
Oh holy hell, girl7! You gave us the Jim/Roy showdown that GD didn't! I'm glad Jim isn't a wuss and was able to land at least one good punch. Also glad Pam isn't a wuss either and told Roy off. Please tell me you will update again soon (you're watching Basketball, Mr.Girl7 undoubtedly watching football....)
Author's Response:
I'm glad you said that about Jim landing a punch, because it was important to me to portray that. I disagree with the opinion that Jim's written as a "sissy" on the show; I just think he's more laid back and less interested in the macho man stuff. But I do think that if Dwight and his pepper spray hadn't intervened, he'd have gotten angry enough to fight back.
And actually, Mr. Girl7 was watching Basketball with me! (He's NOW watching football, LOL.) Funnily enough, at the end, during the whole "Let's get you into a tub" exchange, when the camera panned to Jim looking like he wants to just disappear into the floor, Mr. Girl7 said, "Awwww...because he's sitting there thinking he wishes she'd get HIM in a tub. You know, naked." ...To which I responded, "You think?" Heh. (It was better than what immediately sprang to mind: "Wouldn't we all like to do that?")
Thanks for reviewing!
10 [Report This]Date: September 15, 2007 03:26 pm Title: Chapter 17: What the Head Makes Cloudy the Heart Makes Very Clear
You really, really, really should be published. You are a master of tension and my absolute favorite writer here, which is pretty funny considering how impatient and instant-gratification-oriented I am.
Author's Response:
Wow - thank you so much, really. Seriously - what a nice thing to say. So glad you're enjoying the tension; I love drawing it out, and I worry sometimes that I stretch it too much (because you know, that can compromise a storyline -- looking at YOU Greg Daniels). :o)
Thanks so much for your kind words & for taking the time to review!
10 [Report This]Date: September 15, 2007 02:53 pm Title: Chapter 17: What the Head Makes Cloudy the Heart Makes Very Clear
I know I've been lax with feedback lately, but I'm still here and still reading. My one and only plea: please no hurt/injured smut. It's not fun to read. :(
Author's Response:
Hey, no worries - I understand. And oh god, no -- no hurt or injured smut! Instead, Pam's gonna show up and have a threesome with Jim & Jonathan. Would that be too bold? Hee.
I'm joking - no threesomes and no injured smut on the horizon, so it's safe to keep reading. ;o)
Thanks for reviewing!
Date: September 15, 2007 05:39 am Title: Chapter 16: Between the Horses of Love and Lust We Are Trampled Underfoot
Damn right everything's changed. I like how Jim tries with Elizabeth, even testing the water by kissing her, but just can't. Nice parallel with the Roy/Pam scene.
she's dismantling the last vestiges of the relationship she's spent almost half her life cultivating
Nicely put. A long relationship is like its own civilization and I'm glad she knows she's plundering it here - consciousness on Pam's part is always a good thing, LOL. Okay girl7...braced for more.
Author's Response:
What a great metaphor (well, I guess the correct term would be simile, but whatevs...) -- the civilization comparison. Absolutely. And I'm trying to write Pam as hurtling toward consciousness in the coming chapters -- repression is a bad, bad thing. LOL.
THanks for reviewing!
9 [Report This]Date: September 14, 2007 03:43 pm Title: Chapter 16: Between the Horses of Love and Lust We Are Trampled Underfoot
Waiting for the next chapter will be almost as hard as waiting for Sep 27th. Your story is amazing girl7.
Author's Response:
Okay, so that's, like, the most amazing compliment. ;o) (Seriously - I can't sit STILL waiting for the 27th -- though admittedly, it's not as bad as it was waiting for last year's premiere....)
Thanks for reviewing!
10 [Report This]Date: September 14, 2007 06:17 am Title: Chapter 16: Between the Horses of Love and Lust We Are Trampled Underfoot
ugh I'm so addicted to this alternate ending! (huge angst fan? yes. I am.) Please post more soon!!!!!!!!
Author's Response:
Well I gotta tell you - I'm so addicted to writing it! I'm really glad to be doing this AU version, because I'm having so much fun with it.
You should know, BTW, that your name makes me smile every time I see it. Chris Meloni...mmmm. :o)
Thanks for reviewing!
Date: September 14, 2007 04:26 am Title: Chapter 16: Between the Horses of Love and Lust We Are Trampled Underfoot
Thank you for finally letting Jim drop the anvil on Pam's head with only two words: "Everything's changed." It's been a revelation reading your Pam - how frustrating she can be simply because she doesn't know herself. I am really, really hoping for a confrontation of words between Roy and Jim. How I wish we could have seen THAT deleted scene! I can picture Jim saying to Roy all he wishes he could say to Pam. Love the title for this one, too.
I hope the decks are cleared for the weekend. Can I do your laundry?
Author's Response:
It's really great to hear you say you've enjoyed reading my Pam -- I find her far harder to write than Jim, and I know the way I've written her in this one has (understandably) frustrated some readers. But I could see things unfolding this way IF she were just a hair more self destructive (which thank god she apparently isn't).
THe Jim/Roy confrontation is more physical than verbal, but hopefully it'll do the trick. LOL.
And oh dear god - I would write ten chapters for you if you'd do my laundry (haaaate that). :o)
Thanks for reviewing!
10 [Report This]Date: September 14, 2007 01:17 am Title: Chapter 16: Between the Horses of Love and Lust We Are Trampled Underfoot
Oh, wow. Totally emotional and devastating, and just... perfect.
Author's Response:
Thank you so much - you guys are indulging my need to torture poor Jim, I tell you.... :o)
Thanks for reviewing!
Date: September 13, 2007 08:52 pm Title: Chapter 16: Between the Horses of Love and Lust We Are Trampled Underfoot
Is it wrong that I wanted to shout "YES!!!!!!!!" at the end of this chapter? I'm in the library, so I didn't do it, but I wanted to. Anyway, I'm still loving this story! Can't wait to see what happens next!
Also, I think it's pretty cool that I got to leave the 300th review! :)
Author's Response:
No, it only would've been wrong of you to want to shout "YES!!!!" if Pam had run over Roy with his truck or something. :o) (And I'm glad to hear you didn't yell in the library - tsk tsk. LOL.)
Thanks, as always, for your review (and yessshhh, who better to leave the 300th review!?) --
Date: September 13, 2007 08:00 pm Title: Chapter 16: Between the Horses of Love and Lust We Are Trampled Underfoot
Whoa. Girl7, bringing the deep, deep angst. The only way out is through....
Author's Response: ...Through? heh heh heh. You know me well, my dear. :o) Cheers!
Date: September 13, 2007 07:55 pm Title: Chapter 16: Between the Horses of Love and Lust We Are Trampled Underfoot
Wow - that was really powerful! I was so frustrated by Pam for so long, but I'm so happy she is finally being honest with herself - even if she had to say that she loves Jim for the first time to Roy. I can't wait to see where this goes next!
Author's Response: Yeah, I'm hoping I can redeem Pam in the coming chapters. :o) Thanks so much for reviewing!
Date: September 13, 2007 07:29 pm Title: Chapter 16: Between the Horses of Love and Lust We Are Trampled Underfoot
Seriously, I don't know how I'm going to be able to wait until this weekend for the next chapter! I'm reeling. I'm shaking. I need to know what happens next. Girl7, you've got the magic touch! C'mon, don't torture us! Post! Post! Post! :)
Author's Response:
You are so sweet! This story has sort of taken hold of me again (I know it's bad when I'm driving to work in the morning working out dialogue in my head...in spite of my best efforts to focus on other things, LOL), so the updates should be coming a little more quickly -- providing "real life" doesn't get in the way too much.
Thanks so much for the review!
Date: September 13, 2007 06:42 pm Title: Chapter 16: Between the Horses of Love and Lust We Are Trampled Underfoot
oh my god! Yay Pam! Go get him! (of course I mean Jim :) )
Author's Response:
Hee hee -- go get him, indeed! ;o) (I mean, come ON -- wouldn't we ALL if we could?)
Thanks for reviewing!
10 [Report This]Date: September 13, 2007 06:19 pm Title: Chapter 16: Between the Horses of Love and Lust We Are Trampled Underfoot
Yaaayy! My favorite story from my favorite author! Aaagh, this is KILLING me. The beautiful way you're drawing this out is excruciating and I don't want it to end, but AAAAGH!
Author's Response:
Yaaay! :O) So glad you're enjoying this; I for one am THRILLED that you guys encouraged me to do an AU version, because this ending is so much fun to write.... :o)
Thanks for reviewing!
Date: September 13, 2007 06:05 pm Title: Chapter 1: Content to Compromise
Another great chapter. I think it's interesting how Pam's passivity ultimately really hurt everyone involved so much more, even Roy.
I do really feel that Pam's lack of relationship experience is really showing through here, as it does seem she needed some perspective both on how amazing what she and Jim have really is, and also on some of the not so great things with Roy. I think she really just assumed her life was going down that one path. I love how well you show how crushing it all is, even if in the end she is ends up somewhere much, much better than where she started.
Author's Response:
Your reviews are always such a treat, I swear, because you never fail to shed light on the chapter -- putting it into a perspective I often haven't considered before.
It's also nice to hear someone sympathize with Pam here (though I certainly understand why the majority of readers wouldn't - she's done some pretty reprehensible things to Jim here, and Roy -- not to mention herself). I agree that it's both her passivity and inexperience that are ultimately her downfall (and the bane of those around her).
This fic has been a difficult one to write in the sense that I tend to draw very loosely on personal experience when I write, and in the case of this one, there's been so little I can genuinely relate to -- from the impulsive sex (ur, never had a one night stand with a best friend, LOL) to the experience of being engaged to a man before really knowing who you are. So I feel like I'm flying blind in some ways, but at the same time, i have to imagine that Pam's frame of reference surely has been skewed by the fact that all she's ever known is Roy.
All this to say: You're absolutely right -- there'll have to be a disastrous fire before she can sort of rise from the ashes to build a new life.
Thanks so, so much for your thoughtful insights and feedback -- means a lot!
10 [Report This]Date: September 10, 2007 10:42 pm Title: Chapter 15: It's All Right, I'm Okay; I Think God Can Explain
BTW Jonathan still rocks!!
Author's Response:
As I mentioned in a response to Moxie's review -- I suffer from an inordinate affection for Scott Foley (and am damn near obsessed with the thought of him being cast as Jim's brother -- when J.J. Abrams directed, I was like, "Ahhh...so CLOSE!" ....Sad really). Anyway, I'm always so glad to hear readers still like/respond to Jonathan; I do think Jim could benefit from a voice of wisdom -- someone who knows him well enough not to pull any punches; someone who knows when to push and when to back off.
...And someone who's, you know, hot like Jim is. LOL.
Thanks for reviewing!
10 [Report This]Date: September 10, 2007 10:40 pm Title: Chapter 15: It's All Right, I'm Okay; I Think God Can Explain
Oh, wow, I LOVE your writing. I've just torn through everything up through chapt. 15 and I can't wait for more! I started off trying to save all of the perfect lines you've written, but there are too many. Needless to say, I can't wait for more!!!
Author's Response:
Hey, you! I haven't seen you around in a while - it's good to see you back!
Thanks so much for your kind words; I started this fic so long ago (or so it seems), and I've taken a lot of risks (in the sense that I know my Pam is walking a fine line between exhibiting confusion and all-out alienating the audience), so it's really a genuine thrill (not to mention a relief) to hear that people are actually enjoying this. Really -- means a lot, because I've put a lot into this.
So thank you so much!
Date: September 10, 2007 05:53 am Title: Chapter 15: It's All Right, I'm Okay; I Think God Can Explain
Ah! Pam I hate you! So much despair! I don't want this amazing story to end but I am not sure I can take much more!!!
Author's Response:
Heh -- I promise; there's not much more angst left (some yelling and a few bruises). I give you my word that there'll be a happy ending!
Thanks so much for reviewing!
Date: September 09, 2007 09:29 pm Title: Chapter 15: It's All Right, I'm Okay; I Think God Can Explain
"Sorry for the whole misleading Mr. Girl-7-is-watching-college-football thing -- thought it'd buy me more time than it actually did.... "
Girl7, you are such a tease. ;)
Seriously, though, I'm really looking forward to the update.
Author's Response:
I am SO SORRY for that -- I really, really am! Seriously, I thought for some reason that I'd be able to zip right through those chapters, and well...just didn't happen. :o) But I do promise a new update over the weekend -- seriously.
Thanks so much for reviewing!
10 [Report This]Date: September 09, 2007 03:25 pm Title: Chapter 15: It's All Right, I'm Okay; I Think God Can Explain
Can I thank you again for the creation of Jonathan? Because if there's a character I could possibly ever love more than Jim, it would be Jonathan. :-) I think we should hook him up with Parma.
Loving this story, as with all you write. Are you planning a behind the cameras for s4? I'm asking because I'm thinking of doing a squirrel sequel that ties in with the new eps, but I didn't want to step on toes. :D
Oh, and can we get those kids together soon, please! I think they deserve it.
Author's Response:
...Can I tell you that every time someone compliments Jonathan, I squee a little? Why, I'm not sure (maybe my latent love of Scott Foley coming out -- seriously, Starry Dreamer has to keep my Jonathan love in line; without her editing, way too many chapters of mine would lead readers to believe Pam's got something for Jon, when it's all me....hee).
Such a HUGE compliment that you're enjoying the fic! And I sent you an email, but it bears repeating: You absolutely MUST do a Squirrel sequel tying in with season 4; I'm dying to see what you'll do with it!! Seriously -- don't think for a second about stepping on my toes; I am very much aware that we're all working with the same canvases and paints here -- so I'm not about to get my knickers in a knot because you write about the same episodes that I might. :o)
Besides, I'm selfishly hoping for that Squirrel sequel....
And uh - the kids'll be together soon; I promise. (At this point, after all the hell I've wrought over the course of this fic, I almost feel as if it's my civic duty to make it right....)
Thanks for reviewing!
Date: September 09, 2007 11:53 am Title: Chapter 15: It's All Right, I'm Okay; I Think God Can Explain
What are you doing secretly posting chapters and not telling me about it? Guh. You are evil like a hobbit. And really, too many thank yous! I'm drowing in 'em ;-) You're a sweetheart and I'm happy to help out... even if it's simply to gush!
I completely love that you have Pam watching Jim and noticing that he's purposefully ignoring her. It's heartbreaking and I wonder how he manages. And Jonathan tries so hard... but is he ever successful? (Except, of course when he's pushing them together, Heh...)
Author's Response:
I swear I wasn't trying to be subversive -- just wanted to get this one out there so it'd leave me in peace. :o)
And shut it -- the gratitude is beyond well-deserved. :o)