Date: August 11, 2007 02:42 pm Title: Axis
Well done, and you very nicely sidestepped the entire steak and carrots conundrum. I knew you could do it!
I love that Jim took the time to buy a new tie for the date. So nervous, such a cutie.
That note was so Michael Scott that I just laughed out loud. But the champagne was sweet and thoughtful, even if Michael's intentions are somewhat more risque.
All right. Dinner's over. Smooching commences. I'm ready for the next chapter.
Author's Response: Ah, so you noticed the sidestep. Some people can make eating sound sexy, but I am just not one of those people. Thank you, EH!
Date: August 11, 2007 02:35 pm Title: Axis
This just keeps getting better! Chapter 4 please..quick!
Author's Response: Thanks, Abigail. More soon!
Date: August 11, 2007 09:52 am Title: Interruption
You owned me at Keanu Reeves...perversely, perfect. Great Michael and Jan, love Jim's deadpan response to Michael's remarks, lovely compassionate Pam. Mighty hungry for dinner and dessert now...looking forward to seeing what you whip up.
Author's Response: Thank you, Colette! I think if Michael Scott had a deity, it might be Keanu Reeves.
Date: August 10, 2007 11:06 pm Title: Changes
Ooooh! Incomplete! Nooo. I love this. I love Kelly's interactions with Pam. I love Pam's interactions with Jim. Everything has such a wonderful, organic, easy feel. Even Michael, with his awkward, awful conversation -- it's perfect. You could not have done it better. I also enjoy how they kind of talk in reference -- to things that have already happened. It's exactly the way things happen on the show, you know? Great job. Can't wait to read more.
One little thing: the reference to Karen's "CV" threw me off. I don't know if that term's used on the east coast at all, but I think the more common word would be "resume."
Okay. So... please update soon. Soon.
Author's Response: Getting there, GreenFish! I think two or three more chapters more. Sorry that "CV" took you out of it; I will consider changing it. And thank you so much!
10 [Report This]Date: August 10, 2007 11:45 am Title: Interruption
An eight-inch Jones??? What does that even...no. Don't tell me. I don't want to know. Especially if Michael Scott made it up. Which you did perfectly. I winced with every word the man said, which is a compliment to how well you wrote him. And Jan--strong yet crazy. Beautifully done. But you really outdid yourself with Pam. So typical of generous, big-hearted Pam to want to help someone else out of a jam (JaMichael? Okay, sorry.)
Anyway, I am loving this and can't wait for an update.
Author's Response: Hee. I winced as I was typing it. I wouldn't think about it too carefully, no. Thank you!!!
Date: August 10, 2007 11:39 am Title: Changes
Awwww Kelly. You did her wonderfully. So nice to see her as a normal girl, not a chatterbox. Which she can be, but all the time? Not realistic. So kudos for giving us a new view of Kelly.
And the "all slack-jawed and drooling" line was cute, funny, and very Jim. Well done!
Author's Response: Kelly's is a chatterer, but right now she's a wounded chatterer. Thank you, NeverEnoughJam!
Date: August 10, 2007 08:59 am Title: Interruption
So many parts of this to love:
“I would have fun with you in an empty crater on the moon ” yeah, those two would have fun there. Or anywhere. Except Roy's brother's basement.
“You may be right. I didn’t measure.” Typical Jim, knowing exactly how to disarm inappropriate Michael.
“You stay with her for years and years, because it’s easy and you hate confrontation,” Wow. Deja vu much, Pam?
I just love how you dig into so many relationships in such a short period of time in this chapter. Looking forward to dessert, as always!!
Author's Response: Thank you, lisahoo! I love these characters a lot, and it's fun to put them together in different combinations and see what comes out of their mouths.
Date: August 10, 2007 08:04 am Title: Interruption
haha. Great direction with this. I love it!!! ;-)
Author's Response: Thank you!
10 [Report This]Date: August 10, 2007 05:13 am Title: Interruption
"Jim here’s had an eight-inch jones for our Pammy for… how long now, Jim?” Jim’s face is inscrutable. “You may be right. I didn’t measure.” I've been waiting (im)patiently for a new chapter, and you didn't disappoint. Absolutely loved it. Another one quickly please?
Author's Response: Thank you, NanReg! That distasteful piece of dialog was my favorite in the chapter.
Date: August 09, 2007 09:46 pm Title: Interruption
This is really wonderful. Plausible, true to the characters and funny, yet kind of sad. I loved it.
Author's Response: Thank you, andromeda!
Date: August 07, 2007 08:07 am Title: Changes
If anyone can make carrots and steak fun and sexy, it's you, Annabel! I loved your take on Kelly. And the car comes back to life, indeed!
Author's Response: Thanks,supergirlsudz! Yes, vrooooom.
10 [Report This]Date: August 07, 2007 07:03 am Title: Changes
lol well these things always work themselves out. I'm sure you'll make Jim taking another bite of steak sound fantastic. Loved Kelly helping with the makeup, btw. So cute. Can't wait for more.
Author's Response: I've decided to get around it by having them have dinner without making any direct references to food. It's cheating, but it's what I'm doing. Thank you, Stablergirl.
9 [Report This]Date: August 07, 2007 06:28 am Title: Changes
I'm with you on the dinner thing. Really why can't they go DO something. Why not go bowling, watch a stock car race, do some mini-golf, play skee-ball, see a peep show; anything other than staring at each other awkwardly over dinner. Maybe something competitive, that could be tense. Great start! Love the Pam and Kelly intro.
Author's Response: True, feared_or_loved, true. I'd love to read something where they go to a peep show!
Date: August 07, 2007 12:11 am Title: Changes
oh I love your kelly.
Author's Response: Thank you, collardgreens!
Date: August 06, 2007 08:30 pm Title: Changes
I don't see the problem - Carrots are hot...
Very happy to see this - you are one of my faves, and any multi-parter from you makes for happy anticipation.
Author's Response: Thank you, Geinnob! Carrots are pretty sexy, as are all root vegetables. :)
Date: August 06, 2007 07:47 pm Title: Changes
A makeover! Car banter! Karen's CV on the floor! Who knew those were the pieces of an awesome story? Yet, this is clearly one in the making. You really have a way of hitting just the right tone with your stories.
Author's Response: Thank you, Morning Angel. They are slightly strange ingredients. I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Date: August 06, 2007 07:07 pm Title: Changes
I like that you are writing with the challenge of none of the distractions you mentioned. (not that there is anything wrong with the stories that have them because I read and enjoyed those too) but it will be nice to see a fresh take and I love your stories. Will this one have the barn dance? haha.
Author's Response: No barn dances, flamingosinparadise, although I am considering a lovely hoe-down at the Schrute establishment for a different story. I like stories with those distractions too (and I've written many of them myself).
Date: August 06, 2007 05:46 pm Title: Changes
This is awesome, I love all your writing Annabel! <even "Pam grabbed a roll and Jim passed her the butter"> Keep it coming.
Author's Response: Hee hee. Thank you, Erniegirl! I'll keep that butter idea for another story. ;)
Date: August 06, 2007 04:57 pm Title: Changes
You had me at Kelly the former esthetician. And it's all here - the awkwardness, the nerves, the Karen factor, the giddiness, Pam looking like a million bucks, Jim being...well, Jim again. I have no doubt your dinner scene will sing...after all, the carrots and steak will be besides the point. (And I seem to recall your having a certain knack for writing slightly boozy, across the table tension ;-) My only fear is how I'm going to wait for it.
Author's Response: Thank you, Colette! One of the restrictions I've placed on this story precludes overt booziness, but a little tipsiness is fair game.
Date: August 06, 2007 04:39 pm Title: Changes
Lovely!! I really loved their realization that things were awkward, so cute! Awesome!!
Author's Response: Thank you, StarryDreamer!
Date: August 06, 2007 04:32 pm Title: Changes
You can always skip dinner and go straight to dessert...
BTW, I love Kelly helping Pam out. Makes up a bit for 'patheticville, Pam'. And Kelly will be needing a LOT of projects soon.
Author's Response: She will, won't she, lisahoo! Poor Kelly. I thought this would give her a short reprieve from the onslaught of tears that would likely be on the slate for the evening.
Date: August 06, 2007 04:19 pm Title: Changes
in response to your end note...who says they have to actually eat?? ;)
Author's Response: I know, right? Title, disclaimer, smut. All else is just packaging. ;)
9 [Report This]Date: August 06, 2007 04:12 pm Title: Changes
I absolutely love the way you started this story. What I mean is I love how it began in the middle of something already going on. It was like diving right in and I find the water extremely refreshing.
And the way you played Kelly and Pam's relationship was just absolutely perfect. It's this wonderful interplay of Kelly's enthusiasm, obliviousness and underlying kindness mixed with Pam's patience, acceptance, and her more overt kindness. (Can you tell that one of my favorite themes of The Office is all the different types of relationships that have formed over the years?)
I also love the awkwardness between Jim and Pam. I think you'll do just fine with that restaurant scene. :)
Author's Response: Thank you, BlueJeanBaby. You've just reminded me that I really need to do a story with Creed in it at some point. I love Creed, and yet he's never appeared in anything I've written. Ensemble pieces are harder for me, but the relationships are a gold mine, as you say.
10 [Report This]Date: August 06, 2007 04:09 pm Title: Changes
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for putting Pam and Kelly at the beginning - I love their friendship and even when it isn't ignored, I almost never see stories where they interact the way they do in my head, and you wrote them just the kind of friendship I want them to have, so thank you.
Author's Response: I'm glad, dudski! This is how I see them too... Kelly is exasperating but has such a soft heart, and Pam has enough good sense to see Kelly's good intentions behind her unintentional insults.
Date: August 06, 2007 04:08 pm Title: Changes
I love the assignment. And I love, love, LOVE that you made Kelly good at doing make-up and not a total train-wreck. I love a little Kelly-respect!
Such a promising start!
Author's Response: Thank you, desert island! I love poor Kelly, and I want to see her come back from this like the bouncy rubber ball she is. I'm glad you liked it!