Date: January 31, 2011 07:24 am Title: Being With Someone
You know how to make my day, Ann :) I liked this chap because it was rather unpredictable. Gotta say that you threw me for a loop in having Pam share that she thought Jim was gay initially--interesting little twist, that, and quite plausible. You did well in balancing Larissa's desire to protect her son but also keep an open mind in listening to Pam tell her side of the story. It was great having someone directly confront Pam on her behavior toward Jim, to ask those questions that everyone no doubt wondered. Oh, and another little detail that I enjoyed was Pam's reaction to Larissa asking why she was there, her horror at thinking she had overstayed her welcome. Two chaps! I'm so excited!!!!
Author's Response: Hey, Nancy! It's so nice to hear which parts worked well for the reader. Thanks for taking the time.
Date: January 31, 2011 03:54 am Title: On the Advice of Pablo Picasso…
Hi there. I'm coming out of hiding specifically to tell you how wonderful these two chapters are. I absolutely adore Pam talking to him as he pretends to sleep, and I can't wait to see what you have for us in the next chapter. This is wonderful and I'm really happy that you're going to complete this story. I can't say enough about how much I adore what you've written here in each and every chapter. I'll have to come back out of hiding soon to look for an update. Keep going! :)
Author's Response: Thanks for coming out of hiding, Deedldee! I'm so glad you're enjoying the story. I'm trying to frame out the next chap now.
10 [Report This]Date: January 30, 2011 08:17 pm Title: On the Advice of Pablo Picasso…
OMG! I just read this whole thing in one night! I need more, please!! It is fantastically written!
Author's Response: Thanks a lot, BluetimesTwo. You must've been sitting at a screen for a LONG time if you blew through the whole thing in one sitting. I'm glad you're enjoying it. Thanks a lot for taking the time to leave a review.
Date: January 30, 2011 08:00 pm Title: On the Advice of Pablo Picasso…
ACK!!!! SO GOOD!!!! Oh man at first I was fearful that Jim was going to think he dreamed it all, but thankfully he was totally awake. This was just great. Pam said everything I would have wanted her to say and then some. I hope the next chapter is soon in coming! This is just so, so good!
Author's Response: Nope, Jim was most definitely NOT going to sleep through my Pamfession. It would just not be good manners!
I'm glad you liked these chapters, LoveFool. Thanks for the review!
10 [Report This]Date: January 30, 2011 07:04 pm Title: Being With Someone
Oh my! I am indescribably excited that you've come back with, not one, but two chapters! And it isn't even my birthday!
Can I please tell you, I love Jim's mom. Really wonderful work writing her chapter with Pam. It makes so much sense for her to have that bitterness torward this woman who seems to be causing her son this pain. And, please VB, you did amazing with Pam's explanation of her side. I loved all of it!
And if Larissa hasn't yet decided if she liked Pam by the time this chapter was completed, I feel like she will, really soon. Pam, taping a happy anniversary message so Jim's parents can at least see each other on thier special day was so sweet! I feel like soon, the dad will be in love with Pam as well.
And I think Larissa may have been trying to give Pam a little hope when she reminded her of the difference between happy vs. happy WITH.
Author's Response: Thank you, Aivilo! I like the way Jim's mom came out in this final version. (She went through some pretty shrewish iterations before I settled on this one.) And you're exactly right about that last comment.
Date: January 30, 2011 06:56 pm Title: On the Advice of Pablo Picasso…
aieeee!!!! (pardon me, had to get that out of my system!!)
First off, I'm so glad to see you writing again. And I really like that these last two chapters have been about Pam & Jim and their relationship (both as friends who genuinely care for each other) and how Jim's parents have seen him throughout these 3 years -- I am much more interested in that aspect of the story and having the medical drama be the circumstances that finally have them examine their true feelings. I thought Mrs. H's conversation with Pam was especially insightful -- that Pam thinking of what she was doing as 'repaying Jim' was being rather clinical.
Can't wait to see what comes next!
Author's Response: Thank you, Ms. Hoo! I've been writing off & on ... Just never really happy with what I came up with. Yeah, we're coming up to the big dilemma ... Can VB pull off smut or not? I'm really not sure I have it in me. Part of the reason things have taken so long, I guess. I need to FIGURE OUT what comes next! Thanks for taking the time to leave a review. I appreciate it. Really.
Date: January 30, 2011 05:10 pm Title: On the Advice of Pablo Picasso…
Ha ha, love that she let Roy think that Jim was gay so he wouldn't mind her spending time with him. And then, finally, Pam speaks her mind! Can't wait for Jim's response. I was SO thrilled to see an update on this story. I just re-read it a few weeks ago in the hopes that there would be an update soon, and today I was rewarded with not one, but TWO chapters! Woo-hoo! Jumping up and down here!:)
Author's Response: Yep, I could never quite figure out why Roy was so complacent with Pam having such a good looking guy for a "Best Friend." So this was the theory I made up!
Yeah, the two chapters at once ... I had "Pablo Picasso" nearly finished and I was afraid there'd be a lynch mob if Pam and Jim didn't have SOME kind of exchange on my next posting date. So I made sure to finish it up so I could post them both tonight. :-) I'm glad you liked them!
Date: January 30, 2011 02:35 pm Title: Prologue
Yipee! I know I already knew this was coming but having it appear on this site makes me so happy. I know it's been a long wait but it was worth it. This is still my all time favorite story. There is just something about it that mesmorizes me. Thank you for not giving up.
Author's Response: Thank you so much for leaving a review. It's so unnerving when the read count goes up with no reviews!
All your emails are part of the reason I haven't given up. Thank YOU!
10 [Report This]Date: January 25, 2011 06:28 pm Title: Famous Pam, Infamous Pam.
So, I was just wondering how Ted and Larissa Halpert were feeling? Wondering if Jim's mom has let on to Pam that she has realized that Pam loves Jim? Do either parent know that Pam is there as Jim's 'wife'? And I am pretty sure that Jim and Pam haven't had a chance to talk since Jim has become a free man and Karen cut him loose....
***sigh***
I miss your story telling...
Author's Response: Thanks a lot for leaving this little nudge the other day! Looks like the chapters that were in the works at the time answered some of your questions. ;-)
Date: November 10, 2010 11:35 am Title: Prologue
NUDGE!!!! ;)
Author's Response: The nudges finally worked!
Date: October 22, 2010 12:54 am Title: Famous Pam, Infamous Pam.
Thank you so much for continuing this story! I haven't watched The Office in years, but I stop by here every so often to see if you've added another chapter! You're such a wonderful writer!
Author's Response: Wow. Now that is amazing ... you don't watch the show anymore but you still stop by here? Thank you! I really am working on the next chapter. Today, in fact. I threw out my back and am stuck at home. I'm ok as long as I don't move, so I'm sitting here at the computer. As soon as I research lower back injuries a bit, I'll get back to writing. Thank you so much for the note.
Date: October 21, 2010 05:55 pm Title: Prologue
I would love another update soon!
Author's Response: I'm actually working on the next chapter. Pam and Larissa have been giving me fits. They INSIST on talking like characters in a bad Lifetime movie! But I'm hoping I've badgered them into submission. I've sent a rough first draft to the betas and they gave me feedback for changes. Still need to add a lot of details but I'm hoping to finish RELATIVELY soon... Thanks for the little nudge!
10 [Report This]Date: August 28, 2010 10:19 am Title: Famous Pam, Infamous Pam.
Oh man-- so I'm sitting here getting my pedicure and I decide to re read some chapters of this story because I LOVE this story, and then! I apparently missed this last chapter!! I can't figure our how exactly I didn't see this! I'll start to worry when I put the milk away uncapped. Anyhoos I love how Larissa just comes to the natural conclusion that Pam loves her son. Can't wait till he becomes aware of that too! Hope you're close to posting the next chapter and that your questions were answered. :)
Author's Response: I think this is the second review I've received from you during one of your pedicures. You know how to live it up! You probably just missed this one because I posted it within a week of the one before it ... I'll bet you thought it was the chapter you'd already read. In any case, I'm working on the next chapter. Mr. Blood has a business trip for a few days this week, so maybe I'll make some progress...
Date: August 22, 2010 02:01 am Title: Prologue
I don't come on this site nearly as much as I used to when you first started writing this, and usually it's only to see if this has been updated. So I was sooo thrilled that it finally had a new chapter. :D (Two new chapters, actually. Where have I been?! Haha.) I'm so happy that you're continuing to finish this story; it's my favourite Jam fic.
I love that Larissa and Pam finally met and that she's softening up to her. :) Can't wait for your next update!
Author's Response: Thank you! I'm glad you ran into the update! I'm working on the next one.
Date: August 21, 2010 06:14 am Title: Famous Pam, Infamous Pam.
In the spirit of the recent calls on the boards for leaving reviews, here's my two cents. :) That said, I'll ask your indulgence in advance because I'm gonna be perfectly honest.
While I appreciate your attention to detail, I don't think the story would suffer in the slightest if you just glossed over some of the minutiae of treatments and hospitalization details to get to the guts of the story, which is the relationships. (Right?) Jim and Pam have already gone two or three chapters without interacting and the prospect of more is not thrilling; it seems like they're hardly ever in the same room as it is. I feel like I've been waiting for something to happen for the last three chapters.
I hope that doesn't sound too harsh. You have a good idea here, and I love your dedication to it, but I think it's getting too bogged down in details and needs more movement.
That said, I am glad that Larissa likes Pam, and recognizes that her presence there comes from love. :)
Author's Response: Thanks for your honesty, callisto. I definitely appreciate your taking the time because, as you know, I think you're a pretty masterful storyteller.
I'm going to PM you offline for more input...
10 [Report This]Date: August 19, 2010 09:04 pm Title: Famous Pam, Infamous Pam.
I didn't get a notice your story was updated. ;-(. Weird. I was just thinking about how much I was missing your Jim and Pam within the last say or so. Clicked the link and here we go!
I like that Larissa seems to understand Pam now that she took time to see what she's been doing for all of them.
I will be patient and wait for JAM, but I hope it's not too long.
Nice job. I still like this story a lot.
Author's Response: Yeah, some of the archive functions are broken. You can't PM someone on the archive anymore and the notifications aren't working. So I'm glad you noticed on your own that CC's been updated! Thanks for your patience. I hope the next two chapters will be good enough that you won't mind the wait for JAM too much!
10 [Report This]Date: August 17, 2010 11:00 am Title: Famous Pam, Infamous Pam.
I'm very, very rarely on the site anymore (life has been crazy) and I was SOOOO excited to see that this had just been updated. This chapter was wonderful- because there is a lot to criticize about the ways both Pam and Jim handled their relationship before it all came together, and a loving mother is goign to be able to see that maybe better than anyone. That said, I'd like you to please cut to the Jim/Pam action, thanks. Heh. Seriously, though, this continues to be a major triumph. Thank you for slowly but surely making it come alive for us.
Author's Response:
Thanks so much, lis! I hope I don't have a mutiny on my hands but the next few chapters are going to be centered around Pam's interactions with Larissa and Jim's with his dad. I'm especially enjoying exploring noodling around with what Larissa and Pam would make of each other. I THINK the chapter where they see each other again will be worth the wait (it's already drafted) but I hope I don't lose readers in the intervening chapters.
Major triumph? I just don't even know what to say to praise like that. Thank you.
Date: August 15, 2010 03:12 pm Title: Famous Pam, Infamous Pam.
Sorry it took me so long to get to the review of this. My very favorite thing about this is how you have Larissa as such a wise mother - she knows Jim and though she's protective, she also knows her own child's patterns well enough to not be blind. I like Mom Halpert. Can't wait to get the next one.
Author's Response: Thanks, jazz! I wasn't able to write as much as I hoped this weekend. I hope to have a draft by the end of the week. We'll see...
Date: August 14, 2010 03:18 pm Title: Prologue
VB, school starts Sept. 7th. I'm hoping for at LEAST one update before then! ;)
BTW, you are awesome for keeping this story going for so long. I think when it's all done you need to make it into a book so when I reread it over and over again the computer doesn't strain my eyes. ;)
Author's Response: Well, when it's done I can send you the Word file, I guess.
10 [Report This]Date: August 12, 2010 10:56 pm Title: Famous Pam, Infamous Pam.
Argh once again, I randomly happened to check back into the archive, saw this, squealed very loudly (there may have been clapping and dancing involved too), I read it very quickly but didn't have a chance to review. So I'm back now to go through it properly.
Firstly thank you so much for updating so soon. I know we put some pressure on you for fast updates and you have delivered so thank you!
Secondly, as much as I really want Jim and Pam interaction, I felt like the interaction we did get was better than that, more revealing and more emotional. Because Jim and Pam are at an awkward stage of their 'relationship' so having Larissa's realization that yes, Pam is in love with her son is a really powerful development. We know it, Pam knows it, heck even Jim kinda knows it so now it's so obvious, other people are noticing, it means it's something special.
I also love that Larissa didn't automatically like Pam just because Jim does. She was wary and rightly so. Anyone who doesn't know Pam must think she's a crazy person for turning down Jim! So major props to Pam for winning her over without even really trying, she did it simply by being her natural caring and kind self. Oh and I almost forgot, that explanation about Jim's behaviour around Pam is so fantastic and so true. Pam had so much to lose, she couldn't do it for someone who appeared to be so hot and cold with his feelings. (And I may have met my first cousin once removed and thought he was, um, really cute...but that's all! *shudders* poor Jim).
Point being, I loved this VB. I'd love some Jam action, of course but I'm enjoying Pam's quickly becoming part of this family. Another amazing chapter...then again, I expect no less from you ;)
Author's Response: Wow. What a great review! Like I said to Hannah_Halpert, I love it when people share what they were thinking as they read. I write for reviews like this! :-) Thanks!
Date: August 12, 2010 10:15 pm Title: Famous Pam, Infamous Pam.
Who's chomping at the bit for JAM action? Certainly not me. I can go on FOREVER without reading about them.
I keed. I want to read about them. BAD.
However, this chapter was pretty damn awesome. I didn't anticipate Larissa being the first to really figure out that Pam is just as smitten with Jim as he with her. Thank GOD, she did though! Let's hope her near death encounter means she'll feel something as important is this is too important to sit on. Let's hope she can't hold back once she sees Jim.
::sigh:: this just gets better and better. And now you've spoiled us with such a quick turn around! Can't wait for the next installment!
Author's Response: I laughed out loud at this. You so funny! Thanks a lot. I'm writing today. We'll see if I can crank my way through the next chapter and keep up the momentum.
Date: August 12, 2010 09:33 pm Title: Prologue
You're great, and I know this because even though all I want is the Jim/Pam interaction and for them to sort things out, and for you to answer a whole bunch of questions we have... we're waiting in suspense, and you still deliver on a chapter about "the women in Jim's life" finally meeting! I, like others have mentioned, have been looking forward to this part of the story since the beginning and you really wrote it well. I think one of the main mistakes authors make when writing Pam in situations where she's a little out of her zone is either that she's SO apprehensive that she's socially inept, or that she's totally spot-on and suddenly a wizard at whatever she's doing. And you pretty much figured out a good balance, IMO. Pam delivers in this chapter because she knows a bit about the situation -- I mean, she's there for a reason, you couldn't make her totally incapable and confused and awkward about it all -- but at the same time, there's still residual insecurity and of course, she broke Larissa's son's heart and they both knows this. Just written really well and I can't wait to see more interaction between them, even if I'm still waiting -- on pins and needles! :) -- for Jim/Pam stuff. Just awesome. Keep up the good work, Ann!
Author's Response:
Thanks so much, Kate! I've written (and trashed) several versions of Pam & Larissa's first meeting. I definitely liked this one the best. I'm really glad that this chapter seems to be going over pretty well because I have been excited about exploring/creating these other relationships. I think that, for good or ill, your relationships with your family are a big part of what makes you the person you are.
Well, I really do have to get packing. Young Blood wants to ride the last 70 miles to my sister's condo at the shore today, so we'd better pack up and get out the door.
Thanks again for the great review. You KNOW how much I appreciate it!
Date: August 12, 2010 08:34 pm Title: Prologue
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!!
I am very happy and so glad you are continuing with this.
Your writing ROCKS!!!!
Author's Response: You're welcome! Thanks to you, too!
Date: August 12, 2010 08:33 pm Title: Famous Pam, Infamous Pam.
So excited for another update!!! Just what I need to get me through the last few weeks before school starts. I hope there is some JAM interaction soon! I'm so glad that you are updating this again! :)
Author's Response: Hey, jslab! When does school start? Maybe I can post one more before that.
Date: August 12, 2010 08:29 pm Title: Famous Pam, Infamous Pam.
Two updates in one week, you're spoiling us... but don't stop.
As much as I'm dying for some JAM action, I'm actually really enjoying reading about Ted, Larissa and their interaction with both Jim and Pam.
The notes that Pam took were spot on. The way you wrote them - I could just imagine the doctor talking and Pam sitting there listening intently, chewing on her pen, and writing down what they'd said. The way you had the medical jargon and then the simplified explanations in brackets, I could totally see Pam doing that.
Really cannot tell you enough how much I'm loving this story. It's getting better and better with each chapter.
Author's Response: Thanks so much! I love when people share this stuff with me. I never even had that visual of Pam when she took the notes. It's so cool to see the "color" that people add to the story in their minds as they read.
I really appreciate your kind words.