10 [Report This]Date: October 17, 2009 10:18 pm Title: A Boat on the River Seine
this was fantastic! i really wish you'd write the paris fic, but that might be too good to be true. ah well, this was great!
Author's Response: You know, I've always wanted to do a Paris fic...the right scenario has just never grabbed me. But, you never know.....thanks again!
10 [Report This]Date: September 17, 2009 11:19 am Title: Alien Solar System
if he could get his hands on it, he’d rub it.
that's what she said.
Author's Response: Ha! Thanks!
10 [Report This]Date: December 04, 2008 05:47 pm Title: A Boat on the River Seine
Man you could have SO written a baby fic... a pro? who is more pro than YOU! Seriously best author out there!
Author's Response: You are far too kind. But thank you so much anyway ;-) And thanks for all the wonderful reviews, Hannah!
10 [Report This]Date: December 04, 2008 05:39 pm Title: Sweet Things, Salty Things
First Jim wearing glasses is freaking hot, and taking a journalism class is also extremely sexy.... god this was a good chapter :)
Author's Response: Yeah, what is it about him in glasses? Glad you enjoyed, Hannah.
10 [Report This]Date: December 04, 2008 05:31 pm Title: Anything
YAY I love how you have written a baby fic, and aw, he wanted it more than her, but now she's happy and omg I love it... I said that all in one breath lol
Author's Response: Take a deep breath, Hannah...more to come. Thanks!
Date: August 24, 2008 05:49 pm Title: Anything
Interesting choice of lyric quoting. I never quite know what to make of that song. Little Green and some lyrics from a few other JM songs make me wonder some things but I've never taken the time to research my Joni-Mitchell-Does (or doesn't do?)-Motherhood theories!
Sorry, totally random feedback, i'll give proper comments at the end!
Author's Response: I've always loved the lyrics to that song (lots of other JM ones too.) It's pretty explicitly about motherhood, but not the same situation as this story. I guess it just evoked a certain mood that I had in mind as I wrote. Anyway, thanks for your feedback!
Date: February 08, 2008 11:50 pm Title: A Boat on the River Seine
LOL alien limb. I love the teasing, and the fact that they're calling the baby "Danger". Jim really has the perfect response to her feelings of fatness. Haha Kelly's thoughts on the cutest way to be pregnant are just so...Kelly. I especially loved this line: They were intrepid explorers, navigating the possibilities. That whole passage was beautifully steamy. And I'm really glad you ended the story with Pam acknowledging that she could always go to Paris. That was really nice. =)
Author's Response: Adding a little Kelly to the mix is always fun. And yeah, I saw Paris as Pam's code for all the things she fears giving up...so her coming to that realization was kind of the arc I intended. As if that wasn't obvious, lol. Thanks for all your generous reviews, Finer Things.
Date: February 08, 2008 11:42 pm Title: Sweet Things, Salty Things
Aw, so romantic. I love how well they know each other.
Author's Response: Yup, I think how well they know each other would make everything - and I do mean everything - work better. Loving all these review, Finer Things!
Date: February 08, 2008 11:34 pm Title: Alien Solar System
Aww, how do you pack so much emotion into such a short chapter? Poor Jim, being the patient husband, and poor Pam, going through all those changes and suffering at work. Gah Michael and Dwights comments sound just awful! Blah. I do hope they get to go to Paris and do all the things they want to. =)
Author's Response: Yeah, I think Jim earns his due rewards in this chapter. And hearing you could sense the emotion, without too many words, is like the best thing. Thanks so much again.
Date: February 08, 2008 11:23 pm Title: Anything
This is all so achingly romantic yet funny at the same time. I love the description of the time Pam thinks it happened. So descriptive. =)
Author's Response: I like that you thought the romantic aspect came through....seriously, what decision could be more romantic, despite all the conflicted feelings? Thanks, Finer Things.
Date: January 25, 2008 06:43 am Title: A Boat on the River Seine
Sigh.
Got chills at the mention of the Booze Cruise and the exchange that followed it; I agree that long after they're together, Pam would likely still be haunted by how much she (unwittingly) put him through in those days.
So much to love about this chapter -- their speculation re: Michael breastfeeding too long (OMG - THAT'S what it is!); Jim struggling to come up with acceptable adjectives for her belly; and of course, the last line -- absolutely perfect.
Oh - and props to you for calling out those jackass men who refer to caring for their own children as "babysitting." What an offensive (and telling) thing to say. Grrr.
So sad that this is over, but still -- absolute perfection, as usual!
Author's Response: Ha! Men who say they're babysitting their own kids drive me insane. As do men who say 'we're pregnant.' (Easy to say, buddy.) Thrilled that the BC callback worked - really didn't want it to be heavy-handed, but to be honest, the idea of them on another boat ride was the seed of this entire story. Go figure. Thanks so much for all the generous reviews...and so glad to see you back around these parts.
Date: January 25, 2008 06:34 am Title: Sweet Things, Salty Things
Okay, my cheeks actually hurt because I grinned like an idiot throughout this entire chapter. Seriously. Wow.
The banter at the end was just perfect -- "Lose something down there?" I can just hear him saying that!
Once again, this just felt so real and so very them...just lovely.
(And a side note: I feel like I'm leaving the most vague, unimaginative reviews in the world -- I blame cold meds, LOL.)
Author's Response: Sweetie, your vague = meticulously detailed from most ;-) This chapter was fun to write. I really wanted this story to be about the dynamic between them while she's preggers (not about the entire experience) and I find fics often make Pam kind of asexual once she's knocked up. Not how I remember it - au contraire (talk about TMI, lol.) Pleased you're still enjoying...kind of liked Jim's line there myself (maybe I just like Jim?) Much gratitude!
Date: January 25, 2008 06:27 am Title: Alien Solar System
Once again, such a compelling read. I love the realism of this, too -- that it's not all giddiness and cooing at each other (not that I mind fluff, as you well know!). The Jim you write here is so believable (and amazing), and Pam's discomfort with the way her body's changing seems so real. More than that, though, the way you write the range of her thoughts -- from easily aggravated to completely seized with irrational fear -- just seems so true to life.
And, as usual, beautifully written.
Oh, and best line in a story ever: ‘efficient teat handling.’ Bwah!
Author's Response: I really didn't want it to be all fuzzy bunnies and cute rattles - those first few weeks can be a bitch. So, if that came across - and you still feel for Pam - I'm glad. And about that line - ha! somehow, I could just hear it coming out of Dwight's mouth and annoying Jim no end. The proverbial icing on the cake of dealing with Pam's hormonal rollercoaster. Thanks again...such fun to hear from you!
10 [Report This]Date: January 25, 2008 06:19 am Title: Anything
Am in bed sick today, so I'm taking advantage of the downtime to catch up on all the fic I've missed (which is surprisingly excellent medicine, I must say!).
At the risk of TMI: We decided to start trying to conceive some time ago, and I have to tell you that you've articulated so beautifully all that comes with making that decision -- especially the anxiety that suddenly your life will become unrecognizable post-baby. And for us, it's been a difficult road (which wasn't a surprise - I'm no spring chicken, LOL), going on two years now with all sorts of lovely hormonal implements and such. My point to all this over-sharing (heh) is to say that this was really refreshing and cathartic to read -- because even though we've had plenty of time to think about it and know for sure that it's what we want...those little nagging fears don't go away.
Just lovely, as usual. :o) (And best of all -- there's MORE!)
Author's Response: So sorry to hear you're under the weather, but I have to say, you just made my (otherwise unpleasant) day! Also sorry to hear conceiving has been such a struggle - honestly, it was for most of my friends. I think the fact that I was 20-something at the time made it much easier for me. Keeping my fingers crossed for you. Anyway, so pleased this seems realistic to you...that's music to my ears! Thanks, my friend.
Date: January 15, 2008 04:04 pm Title: A Boat on the River Seine
Hey, didn't Cousin Mose carve a Venus of Willendorf statue for Ryan as an apology on "The Initiation?" Or am I misremembering?
Loved all of this story. Sweet of Jim to want to take her to Paris. And you got the physical limitations of pregnancy down cold. Loved Pam's line about scaring the baby. Hee!
Well done!
Author's Response: Was that the Venus of W in Initiation? Hmmm...hope so, then I can claim it was an intentional callback, lol. Thanks much, NEJ...pleased you enjoyed and thought it was realistic!
Date: January 12, 2008 07:18 am Title: A Boat on the River Seine
I'm currently in the fetal gymnastics stage. It is incredibly weird to watch, and even weirder to feel. I love how into it Jim is here- that's a perfect character note. This was great all the way through. Nicely done!
Author's Response: Have to admit, Jim's narration was fun to write - I kept thinking of more and more bits I thought he'd say. Before I had my first, I didn't realize you could see the in utero gymnastics as well as feel them - weird, indeed. Thrilled you enjoyed this, nqllisi - and good luck with the bambino(a)!
Date: January 12, 2008 07:13 am Title: Sweet Things, Salty Things
Very nice. And also depressing, because I got neither the supernatural energy burst nor the bonus sex drive that all the books promised me for my second trimester. At least I stopped feeling sick, heh. I love this because it is so very vividly real, and yet it is clearly the same fictional characters that we all love to play with. I'm simply astounded by your skill here (not that I'm surprised, because you always rock).
Author's Response: Wow...I'm so flattered (grinning like the proverbial idiot here ;-) Really pleased you think the characterization works - these kinds of situation are so much...uh, more?...than we ever see on the show, so I always worry about them still coming across as, well - them. I wanted to focus not so much on the entire pregnancy experience (that would be an entire book,) but just on the intimate/emotional dynamic between them during that time - so, it's a relief to hear you found it believable (though, sorry about the depressing part, lol.) Thanks again, nqllisi - much appreciated.
Date: January 12, 2008 07:07 am Title: Alien Solar System
Oh, that sleepy queasiness. It was just a foggy haze of feeling gross and sleeping on the couch. I cannot imagine having to go through that with Michael Scott and Dwight Schrute in my face every day! You are evoking my recent-past in a frighteningly vivid way.
Author's Response: Yeah, Michael and Dwight would seriously up the misery ante...then again, Pam does have Jim to rub her back, so it could be worse ;-) So nice when that first trimester ends, isn't it? Thanks again...love hearing your take on this!
Date: January 12, 2008 07:03 am Title: Anything
OMG. I've been putting this off, because at 7 months pregnant myself, I wasn't sure I was ready to be reliving all of this. You get that ambiguity just right- that mix of excited and fucking terrified. Amazing. On with the show...
Author's Response: Well, that's high praise, coming from someone in the thick of it! And how great that you're expecting - so exciting (think this is your first, right?) Thanks, nqllisi!
Date: January 12, 2008 04:51 am Title: A Boat on the River Seine
Surrounded by him, it was like being weightless, rocked on the waves.
Oh, lovely, Colette. I can just imagine all their fumblings (bonus points for "giant piston"), trying to work out the logistics. Love Jim's patience with her bemoaning her body - luscious is such a great word as used here. What woman, pregnant or not, wouldn't love to here that? Sigh.
I definitely see them in Paris with a baby and somehow that makes it even more romantic to me. And that's what I'll be imagining until we get some new shows!
Author's Response: Anything that makes you feel weightless when you're that pregnant is a good thing, lol. Glad you liked that line - wanted to echo the recurrent water images in this story, without going overboard (how bad is that?) Anyway, the thought of them in Paris is nice to ponder - someday, I may have to set an actual story there (after NYC, it's probably the city I know best...was even there one time with a baby in tow - though sadly, Jim wasn't there to fumble with. It's actually a very baby (and dog) friendly city. Okay, talk about tangents here...) Thanks for all your enthusiasm about this fic, Sweetpea...hearing your responses has been a really fun part of it!
Date: January 10, 2008 08:51 pm Title: A Boat on the River Seine
Oh so, so satisfying. Lines or dialogue exchanged, that I adored: The Sting/Sexy thing...perfect. And the come here and scare the baby already....EXCELLENT. Spot on characterizations I thought. And I love how it all came back full circle to them talking about going to Paris. And if anybody can take a little one to Paris...it's Jim and Pam. For some reason -- i can totally see it. What a fun read this has been. Colette + prebaby fic, did NOT disappoint!
Author's Response: Satisfied...but did it leave you smiling? ;-) I gave myself a chuckle with the Sting/sexy thing - glad you liked that too. Somehow, I could just hear that in their voices. And yeah, full circle - she may need to rethink some logistics, but nothing she wants needs to be sacrificed post-bambino (especially with Jim being relentless about it, lol.) Maybe the tyke will stay home with granny, but I have no doubt they'd get to Paris sooner than later. (Have always wanted to write a fic set in Paris. Hmm...) Thanks LoveFool - so happy you weren't disappointed!
10 [Report This]Date: January 10, 2008 08:11 pm Title: A Boat on the River Seine
This was amazing; it rang so true and you included so many vivid, clever details. The scare the baby line is certainly a classic, and Angela is exactly that person who would complain about someone wearing flip flops to the office. This has been a real treat.
Author's Response: Great to hear this rang true, especially from the male half of the equation ;-) Also glad you enjoyed it - who knew that scare the baby line would be such a hit, lol? Thanks, brokenloon, for such generous comments.
Date: January 10, 2008 06:17 pm Title: A Boat on the River Seine
After a poopy day, I was very pleased to see this was finished so I could read it! This last one was my favourite chapter (Kelly's opinion on the cutest way to be pregnant,;Round and…’ he searched for the right term ‘…uh, juicy…no, luscious. Yeah, let’s go with that today; Michael's mother breastfeeding way too long (unbutton her shirt: Ha!)
Wonderful as always, my dear.
Author's Response: So sorry you had a poopy day - but, glad to be of service ;-) This chapter was really fun to write - so I'm glad it read that way too. (Re: the unbuttoning thing - I actually knew someone for whom that was true. A very militant lactater. Yikes.) Anyway - always love hearing you enjoyed something I wrote, Paper Jam...wouldn't mind 'hearing' from you via a new PJ fic too (how subtle am I?) Many thanks!
Date: January 10, 2008 04:54 pm Title: A Boat on the River Seine
Now, c’mere and scare this baby already,’ BWAH! That almost makes me want to be pregnant again so I can use that line. Almost.
Hooray for Pam not disappearing after baby. Damn I miss those two.
P.S. I thought the dialogue flowed pretty naturally. Um.
Author's Response: Emphasis on the Almost, I bet. ;-) I wanted to come back to where I started - her anxieties about having a baby, so I hoped 'disappearing' would make sense in that context. Also, glad to hear the dialogue worked for you - it was really fun to write. And dang, I miss those crazy kids too...as always, thanks, Lisa (especially for reminding me about the Venus of W - really triggered some ideas.)
10 [Report This]Date: January 10, 2008 01:56 pm Title: Anything
"The baby was suddenly very real. Conjured one morning before the sun came up, just the two of them. And now, this. Turning cartwheels. Dancing." Wow. So beautiful. Sorry to see this end. You did a remarkable job. Loved it (although I guess you kind of figured that out already)!
Author's Response: You know, often the lines/passages in a fic that meant the most to me are the more understated, quiet ones (like the one you quoted), so it's really gratifying when they get noticed. Thanks for that, NanReg - and for being such a great reader/reviewer!