Date: September 15, 2009 12:13 pm Title: Trust Yourself
Aloha, VB! Welcome back! This week keeps getting better and better. I have to tell ya--this story is like potato chips--one chap is never enough : D You write Jim's inner conflict so well. I really feel for him. Can't wait to see that vacation pic of yours! Feel free to keep on writing ; )
Author's Response: Thanks! I didn't have a whole lotta net accesse while we were in Hawaii. (Too cheap to pay for it!) So I have catching up to do on these stories you mention! Thanks. We have a bit more conflicted Jim coming up for ya. And the pics are up now...
10 [Report This]Date: September 01, 2009 10:53 pm Title: She Loves You
Wow. Very moving and atmospheric chapter.
Date: September 01, 2009 09:06 am Title: She Loves You
Awww... I am in love with the roll you are on. These two chapters were fantastic. I adore the song Jim has set as Pam's ringtone... I wonder if Pam will ever hear it???
I felt so sad for Jim when he returned to his mother seeing her so unlike the woman he knows, saying unthinkable things. I hope she is back to herself soon.
I really enjoyed he Jim/Pam moment we got as well. Pam trying so hard to take care of Jim, you did a delightful job of writing them in the chapel. I felt it all... her feelings when remembering time spent there with her dad, the childhood slumber party and other moments she needed her father, and of course, the beautiful moment when she felt her dad through Jim's words years ago. And can I please, please, please tell you that my heart broke with those two when Jim was telling Pam of his mother's words earlier that day. Wow... I hope that Jim really found some comfort in Pam's reassurance.
That said... will the next chapter be soon? I cannot wait to see if it'll be more with Jim/Larissa, quiet time with Pam in the hotel, or will we get more {my favorite!} Jim/Pam time in thier hotel? I am on the edge of my seat!!
You do amazing work VB!!
Author's Response:
Aivilo, I can't thank you enough for leaving such a detailed and lovely review. My day has totally sucked. I was supposed to get out of work HOURS ago and I'm still here, have to go home and clean and pack ... blah, blah, blah. Reading your words was absolutely the nicest part of my day!
I'll be working on the plane tomorrow. I'll try to get something to the betas while I'm in Hawaii.
Date: August 30, 2009 06:04 pm Title: Prologue
Yay, VB, you're the best! Pretty sure I've read the latest chapter so many times I lost count. Here's to great ideas coming to you in Hawaii! Find a really relaxing romantic place and be inspired!
Author's Response: Thanks a lot, jslasb! I'm looking forward to my R&R ... relaxin' & ritin' ... I'll try to at least get the next chapter to the betas before I come home.
Date: August 30, 2009 12:45 pm Title: She Loves You
Oh my goodness! Best chapter yet. Jim and Pam were both heart-breakingly raw. I loved it! But I so wanted that declaration from Pam! Looking forward to the next update!
Author's Response: Thank you, SarahPlainandTall! I have decided that the laptop IS going to Hawaii with me, so I hope to get a chapter done & to the beta team at least. Thanks for leaving a review.
Date: August 29, 2009 07:48 pm Title: She Loves You
yay loved the "moment" in this chapter. hope to see more of that again...preferably soon =]
Author's Response: Thanks! I'll try to get moving on that. ;-)
Date: August 28, 2009 05:01 pm Title: She Loves You
Awesome as usual!
Author's Response: Thanks, Hannah!
Date: August 28, 2009 02:42 pm Title: She Loves You
Hmm, I could have sworn I left a review for this last night. Maybe it didn't go through because of the weather. Anyway, you know how much I loved this chapter - one of your best ever IMO. When I started reading it I was trying to look for errors, and I got so caught up in it I just said "screw it" and read it for "realsies" the first time. I loved the physical descriptions and mannerisms as they told their stories. I really felt like I was in the room. Awesome.
Author's Response:
Yep, all the visual detail – that was andtheivy's influence. Now we'll see how close I can come to that when I send alla y'all the FIRST draft of the next chapter. I think I'm more attuned to filling in the details now, anyway.
Thanks too for your feedback on the second draft. It helped a lot.
9 [Report This]Date: August 28, 2009 02:28 pm Title: She Loves You
More please! I am always so excited when I see an update to this story. Can't wait for more! You had me tearing up in this one. Love it!
Author's Response: Thanks, MtM! I really think I'm past the block now, so I'm hoping the updates will come at a faster clip.
Date: August 28, 2009 10:13 am Title: She Loves You
Hurray! You did such a good job with Jim's feelings. I hope Pam gets to spill her's about Jim soon.
Author's Response: Thanks a lot! I'm glad you enjoyed.
Date: August 28, 2009 09:23 am Title: She Loves You
It was all I could do to read this in one sitting. My dad spent a lot of time in the hospital before he passed away. I know it's every parents nightmare to know they won't be there for their children regardless of how old they are. You did such a beautiful job of letting Pam's story play out in a way to comfort Jim. My vote on the laptop to Hawaii is neither, you do what you want. It's such a beautiful place to just go and relax. Your creative juices are bound to flow either way. Have a wonderful trip and thanks for the quick update.
Author's Response: Thanks, kh! I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter. I'm sorry if it dredged up painful memories for you, though. I'm sure the trip will be splendiferous! How could it not!?
Date: August 28, 2009 06:13 am Title: She Loves You
VB, you know I love this chapter. The chapel scene flows so well - I'll readily admit I had a tear in my eye when Pam wonders to herself if her father had sent Jim to watch over her. I love finding out more about Pam and Jim’s past – your imaginings are ‘bang on’ in character for me and they add so much more depth to the story. Great Job. Now...go write some more...erm, pretty please!
Author's Response: Thanks, BA. And thanks for your comments on the draft. They really did help!
Date: August 28, 2009 03:23 am Title: She Loves You
This was beautiful. I loved this moment:
“Jim.” She said his name so softly it was little more than a breath. Pam stilled her voice but not her hand. Her thumb stroked the wet stubble on his cheek, then her fingers threaded their way through his hair. He still refused to meet her eyes. Maybe she should tell him now. He surely needed to feel that someone loved him. But no. This wasn’t the way she wanted to tell him. And this wasn’t about her.
::sigh:: You captured Pam perfectly there. I can't wait for more!
Author's Response: Thanks so much!
Date: August 27, 2009 09:56 pm Title: Prologue
It's like Christmas! I think you are heading toward a breakthrough here.
Excellent chapter.
Author's Response: Thanks!
Date: August 27, 2009 09:37 pm Title: Prologue
HAHAHHA YES, a loin cloth. Might fit some people's fantasies; not necessarily mine, but I'm just saying... SOME people's.
In any case, I can't wait until the next couple of updates because loin cloth or not... Jim in (or out of) anything is pretty hot. *HUMINA HUMINA HUMINA*
Date: August 27, 2009 09:01 pm Title: Prologue
You *know* where my vote is on the "to bring or not to bring the laptop with to Hawaii" debate...
Yay on the update!! Pretty happy to see them together this chapter - even if it was an emotional one - especially because it was an emotional one. Jim and Pam are nothing without emotion of some kind.
Did you really say that there was one more chapter before their 2nd night together is posted? *sigh* FINE, I guess I can wait, but may I make a small suggestion? Those pants he bought are cheaply made and I'm in favor of them ripping and being nothing more than just - material. So, he could either use it as some kind of weird loin cloth or he could just sleep a little closer to naked.... *I'd prefer the latter.*
Just a thought!
Author's Response:
A loin cloth? What, am I writing The Last of the Mohicans or something? :-D
Two votes in the laptop goes to Hawaii column. Thanks.
Date: August 27, 2009 08:49 pm Title: She Loves You
2 updates in one week - is it Christmas already?!
Soooo good, once again. I had Booze Cruise flashbacks during the chapel moments, although this time reversed. Now I'm yelling at Pam: "TELL HIM! KISS HIM!". I really hope Pam hears me and Jim doesn't run off and set a date for his wedding with Karen ;)
And the idea that Jim was sent to look after Pam is just dreamy and wonderful. I love this story so much VB! Thank you for it!
Author's Response: Thanks a lot for taking the time to leave such a nice review. You made my night with the Booze Cruise comparison!
Date: August 27, 2009 08:08 pm Title: Prologue
What a treat! A preview of the season premiere and an update of Cardiac Care! Oh pleasepleaseplease bring your laptop with and update while you're in Hawaii. Make the hubby carry it, that's what I do! :D
Author's Response: Thank you! I will count your vote in the "update while in Hawaii" column. But Mr. Blood is taking his own WORK laptop on the trip. I think I will have to lug my own. Not sure he's enamored enough of my hobby to carry the second laptop for me...
Date: August 27, 2009 07:15 pm Title: Prologue
ooh, don't I wish!! No, just shouting at my TV computer screen, like the crazy fool that I am...
Author's Response: It would be a mean feat, given that the chap's not written yet. But you are channelling my thoughts, chica!
Date: August 27, 2009 06:39 pm Title: She Loves You
That was absolutely beautiful. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I can't wait to see how they spend night 2 in the room. Please don’t make us wait too long for your next update.
Author's Response:
You're welcome! Night 2 is already drafted. I have one more "bridge" chapter to write and then I'll be up to the stuff I drafted MONTHS ago. Of course, it probably needs significant revisions now but ...
We're leaving for Hawaii next week. Mr. Blood has a conference on Maui and then we're bopping around the Big Island and back to Maui. (Can you believe the decadent year I'm having??) Not sure whether I'll lug a laptop along or not. It WOULD give me something to do on the plane rides but it's kinda heavy.
So the upshot is I'm not sure how I'll be doing on the updates from here to the middle of September. I'll take a notebook for sure, soI'll be writing, just maybe not posting.
Thanks for taking the time to leave a review.
Date: August 27, 2009 06:32 pm Title: She Loves You
VB, this was killer. You really hit home with Pam's story of her father. Reading this chap was so personal. I very nearly cried. I truly appreciate the late night and the effort. It shows.
Author's Response: Thanks, Nan! I'm glad you enjoyed it. I'm liking Pam's dad more & more. Too bad I killed him off before the story even started!
Date: August 27, 2009 06:11 pm Title: She Loves You
JIM! She said she LOVES YOU! Pay attention!
Ok, I guess he can worry about his mom for a while, but he'd better replay that in his mind and figure it out.
Loving this chapter, BTW, VB.
Author's Response:
Lisahoo, did you get your hands on an advance copy of the next chapter? ;-)
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks.
Date: August 25, 2009 10:35 am Title: Jim and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Hold the phone! Pam's taking Jim to the chapel...is it cause they're "...gonna get marr-ar-ar-ied"? I'm getting WAY ahead of myself, aren't I? Still, a girl can dream. I love The Walker Man and now that I know the 'Johnny who?' story is based on a real life event, I love him even more. He jumped off the screen for me - great characterization, VB. Can't wait for more. BA
Author's Response:
Yep, you're getting ahead of yourself, honey! You have to wait until October to see Pam & JIm get married!
So glad you love the Walker Man! He was a wonderful man!
Date: August 25, 2009 10:10 am Title: Madness
VB - thanks for such a well written and emotion-packed chapter. I re-read parts of the dialogue in the Larissa scene because I was looking for sense behind the nonsense - why would she say the things she did? I guess that's the point though - her thoughts are off the wall, bizarre and unpredictable and that's where it gets scary. You explained Jim's fear and confusion so well. Also, as a lovely counterbalance to what was an emotionally charged chapter, you had Jim reminiscing about his break room conversation with Pam - so sweet and so them. BAx
Author's Response: Thanks, BA! I'm really glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for pointing out what worked for you! I hope to have the next chapter in your Inbox soon!
Date: August 24, 2009 03:29 pm Title: Jim and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Hi VB. Glad you got past your writer's block and posted. The paranoid delusional Mrs. H. is quite typical for hospitalized, medicated patients in critical condition. Been there, done that. It's awful to have to deal with as a nurse or family member, because the patient usually has NO idea what they've said or done, just that the medication affected them in a bad way.
Still patiently waiting for my happy ending. :)
Author's Response:
My mom REMEMBERED all the hideous things she said to the nurses. And the poor thing was so mortified.
Thanks for hanging in there with me and waiting for that happy ending. I really appreciate it!