Date: January 15, 2008 04:11 pm Title: Extinction
Ow. Poor Jim. How perfect are these lines:
I thought she wasn't happy. I thought she was telling me she wasn't happy, in the same way I can't be happy with you. I thought I could read her thoughts as easily as I can read yours
I love it that Jim can be so right, and so wrong, at the same time. This captures that moment so perfectly. Well done!
Author's Response: Thank you, NEJ. Yes, he knows her so well, but he sort of knows her on her terms, so he gets confused at all the points where she's dishonest with herself. Or something like that. I'm not sure what I mean, but I'm sure the girl frustrates me sometimes.
Date: January 15, 2008 11:25 am Title: Echo
So happy to see an update, Annabel. You captured such a quiet, intimate moment. "...and there is a heady freedom in thinking how simple and terrifying it would be to take her other hand, hold her gaze, and say, I think I could make you happy. Please let me try." That line made me catch my breath. So great. I'm a huge fan of your writing. I'd put you in my top 3...really.
Author's Response: Wow! That is a wonderful compliment, NanReg. I wanted something brief and straightforward for Jim, because he is so articulate when he's being flippant, but he seems to use such basic language when he's being honest.
10 [Report This]Date: January 15, 2008 11:20 am Title: Echo
One more time, because I forgot to rate. You're still awesome.
Date: January 15, 2008 11:19 am Title: Echo
wow loved this. I'm SUCH an angst-a-holic. And if you're taking requests, I am also a sucker for a little Negotiation/Safety Training action. But I'd probably enjoy practically anything because you're amazing. ;-)
Author's Response: Oooh, not a bad idea, Stablergirl. The Negotiation has a lot of potential. And thank you so much for the kind words; I've actually never attempted something quite this angsty before, so it's good to hear.
Date: January 15, 2008 10:42 am Title: Echo
And it’s true, it isn’t like a year ago, when an easy escape was always waiting for him. He is working without a net here, and there is a heady freedom in thinking how simple and terrifying it would be to take her other hand, hold her gaze, and say, I think I could make you happy. Please let me try.
I really liked this installment, because it was such a plausible moment that fits with where Jim was mentally in his relationship with Pam at that episode, which is hard to capture particularly with S3 Jim. I cited your words above because I think that in addition to the longing and angst that Jim embodies, you really captured the love he has for Pam and what it's all about. A lot of fics make stabs at the angst and longing but yours always capture the love, too. Which is really really hard to do, and rare, and very much appreciated by your readers, particularly me. Anyway, all this to say, well done. I loved how and when you set this, and I loved your characterization; it is incredibly realistic and true to the show.
Author's Response: Thank you so much for the thoughtful review, lianhanshee! There is a very short talking head in Phyllis' Wedding where Jim just seems so happy and almost giddy, even while he is scoffing at the "hypothetical" idea of him and Pam getting together. This moment seemed like one explanation for that mood; that he is still coming down from an adrenaline high after something has happened off-camera. I'm so glad you found it plausible! I do try to give Jim's feelings some weight, since they are so well-established on the show. Pam is another story; I think she's open to a much wider interpretation.
Date: January 15, 2008 10:10 am Title: Echo
Ah, a nice, intimate moment. This really sets the stage for the "dorky dancer" flirtation later. I like this series a lot.
Author's Response: I thought so too! It's sort of abrupt, the almost-too-casually delivered "It's very cute" that comes out of nowhere later in the evening. I thought of this scene as something that might set that up; the whole lather-rinse-repeat cycle from Season 2 reopened. Thank you, nqllisi!
Date: January 15, 2008 10:06 am Title: Freeze
Oh, stupid Roy and almost-kisses. This is like the best of the Dundies and Booze Cruise, complete with a snowball fight. Despite the cold, though, Pam is playing with fire, here.
Date: January 15, 2008 09:53 am Title: Clairvoyance
Nice. You establish the electricity between them perfectly. There's just something about her that makes him tell her everything that night- despite her protests, she's been daring him to.
Date: January 12, 2008 12:10 pm Title: Clairvoyance
Okay, if you'd told me I'd be able to enjoy a Casino Night fic this much, after so many have been written, I'd have been hugely skeptical. But this is so wonderful and so not a retread! LOVE Pam being aware of Jim's gaze, being aware that this is a kind of flirting they do but that there are boundaries, and their banter is spot-on and the last line is just wonderful and anticipatory.
9 [Report This]Date: January 08, 2008 11:16 am Title: Freeze
Oh so very great! I've enjoyed all of these chapters, but this one is my favorite! You do a fantastic job of creating tension in the fight with Roy and ensuing teasing/snowball fight with Jim. So perfect. I just wanted to scream at my computer "KISS HER YOU FOOL!"
Nicely done. I look forward to the next installment!
Date: January 08, 2008 06:18 am Title: Freeze
With the writer's strike, I think they should start replaying from season one. I love the epis you wrote about and we don't see enough of them.
10 [Report This]Date: January 07, 2008 09:53 pm Title: Freeze
Oh man, I'm surprised at how much I like this! You've taken some maybe over-ficced parts of the show and made them really original and interesting, which isn't easy. Fantastic!
Date: January 07, 2008 03:08 pm Title: Freeze
Oh Annabel. You just know things like this could have (must have) happened over and over (and over) again.
I cringed when I read it - knowing exactly how it would end. :(
It's all so perfectly realistic. It's a banner week for fics with great imagery - I can feel the cold - and the little dash of heat at the end.
The cringe is a good thing btw. Means you've done your job.
Can't wait to read more.
Date: January 07, 2008 02:53 pm Title: Freeze
Man, you're really good at building the tension. Love all the literal and figurative references to cold, hot, ice, melting, etc.
Sharp-edged angst next? Can hardly wait...
Date: January 07, 2008 01:49 pm Title: Freeze
This is just so right. From Pam's exchange with Roy to the final killer sentence. This line: "I see how it is. You can dish it but you can't take it?" sums up so much about them in S2 and really, everything from that on had me holding my breath. His nod, her head shake - their whole tacit bittersweet agreement is there in those simple gestures. Please don't stop until you've done every single episode...who me, greedy?
10 [Report This]Date: January 07, 2008 12:59 pm Title: Extinction
Again, terrific insight and dialogue. At the end, Jim seems on the verge of a horrific realization - he and Katy could make the same mistake and think it was the right thing to do. Awesome chapter.
Date: January 07, 2008 12:31 pm Title: Freeze
snowball + melt = puddle
puddle + freeze = ice ball. Ouch.
Date: January 07, 2008 09:49 am Title: Freeze
Loved this. Great details with their surroundings and that moment where something is about to happen, but doesn't? Yes, please! Really angsty and beautiful.
10 [Report This]Date: January 07, 2008 09:07 am Title: Clairvoyance
That? was fantastic. Beautiful build-up on the tension, great insights, perfect dialogue. Brava. Let the retro-CN begin :)
Date: January 07, 2008 06:25 am Title: Freeze
It can't happen, this is Jim, what is he waiting for? I'd say that about sums it up. Loved it, Annabel.
Date: January 06, 2008 09:39 pm Title: Freeze
I've scarcely been reading fic lately, and almost never look at a WIP, but you brought me out of the woodwork. I'm never disappointed by your writing, and I love looking back on these moments. I especially love the atmosphere of the third chapter and I can hear the muffled sound of snow in my ears as I read. Can't wait for the rest.
10 [Report This]Date: January 06, 2008 09:27 pm Title: Freeze
It can't happen, this is Jim, what is he waiting for?
That line? Awesome. Loving this!
Date: January 06, 2008 08:49 pm Title: Freeze
I am all about any fic that takes the action to Poor Richard's, the place where good/bad things happen. The detail about Jim's pie-sized snowball was great because you know he could throw a helluva snowball!
Phyllis's Wedding might the most uncomfortable hour of TV ever aired. Please find some beauty in that episode ;)
8 [Report This]Date: December 30, 2007 08:12 pm Title: Extinction
"Like a fairy tale," he says dully.
I don't know how I decided that S3 angst was the worst angst of all the angst, because the angst from Booze Cruise, as you pointed out here, was pretty darn angsty, too. Nice job.
Author's Response: Yes, though for some reason, S3 angst can be more frustrating to watch (and read about), I think. Thank you, Kaystar!
Date: December 30, 2007 06:02 pm Title: Extinction
I'll take some angst with a side of angst. Whew. This was just pitch perfect. Oh, Jim. And Katy with cyborg talk and oh, Jim. Looking forward to the next episode:)
Author's Response: Thank you, bitterpill! More angst (with angst sauce) can be found in Chapter 3.