Date: September 05, 2009 10:02 am Title: Chapter 1
Oh wow, just reading this for the first time. This is a great writing of Jim with Karen. There are several wonderful lines, but this one sums it up so heartbreakingly well for Jim: "He wonders if passion is just another childish idea he needs to get over."
Author's Response: Thanks, jazzfan. So much was left to our imaginations about the Jim/Karen relationship, that it's great to hear you think I got it right. And I especially like that you picked that line, cause for me, that was one of the recurring senses I got from Jim in S3.
Date: May 27, 2008 12:00 am Title: Chapter 1
I liked a Jim/Karen story?? What?
This story is really an example of proper words in proper places. One of my favorite phrases is "the rare nights he gets to himself these days" because that word choice expresses so much about their relationship--implying that he wishes for more nights alone. Just goodness all around in this story.
Author's Response: That's precisely what I wanted that phrase to imply. Word/phrase choice is something I really do spend a lot of time on and I always hope the subtext/idea/emotion comes through, but you never really know. So, I really appreciate your comments. Thanks so much buymeacoke! (And for giving a Jim/Karen fic a try too - even if this one isn't really about 'them' in the end, lol.)
10 [Report This]Date: May 02, 2008 05:56 pm Title: Chapter 1
This was really good. I liked that it was Karen/Jim, but you knew where his thoughts were the whole time, and the whole thing flowed really well. Also, I loved the symbolism of Karen cooking all these gourmet meals when Jim is really just satisfied with grilled cheese and the familiarity of what his mom made him every year - but especially the grilled cheese. I feel like there's a phrase that goes, it's not about the food, it's about the company? Or something.
Anyway. It was awesome that you gave it a couple of levels, it was really a great, concise read. Thanks.
Author's Response: I'm glad to hear the parallel between the cooking and what Jim needed and was thinking worked for you, wallflower! And that you enjoyed this - thanks so much for the generous comments!
Date: April 06, 2008 09:49 am Title: Chapter 1
How did I miss this the first couple times around?
Sometimes if there’s no new game on, he watches an old one on ESPN Classics. It’s a little crazy - despite already knowing the outcome, he actually finds himself hoping his team will win. Even when he knows how badly they’ve already lost.
And THAT is how a metaphor is done. You know, your stuff is just like an episode of the show - wonderfully enjoyable after the first viewing, but even more satisfying on repeat. So glad to see this with a ribbon!
Author's Response:
Aw, thanks, you! Often, it’s those little phrases or metaphors or images or whatnots, that I include in a story without much fanfare or fancy language, that are actually the most important to me – so I love when someone picks one up. Means more than you know! I'm also always so touched and pleased to get a comment on a story that’s not brand new anymore – really great to know something you worked hard on has a longer shelf life, lol. Much appreciated, Sweetpea!
10 [Report This]Date: March 05, 2008 02:57 pm Title: Chapter 1
Colette -- brilliant, as always. You just have such an amazing grasp on the subtleties of Jim. And you're funny! I loved so much of this story -- here are just a couple specifics:
Author's Response: Well, I'd love to grasp something of Jim's...Sorry, couldn't resist ;-) Thanks so much, wendolf - this one was a bit of a departure, so if you thought it worked, was funny, rang true in any way, I'm thrilled.
Date: February 14, 2008 05:48 pm Title: Chapter 1
ya know. i wasn't sure what i wanted to read. but i figured with one of your stories i couldn't go wrong.
you mean there is more to cookin then boiling noodles? or the microwave? crap. thats the extent of my cooking.
okay, are you trying to kill me? seriously. its so great. i mean, it is total angst, and jim is sad and i even feel sorry for Karen (FOR KAREN! see what you've done to me). but its just.... i don't know.
its sad but its good. i've got so many thoughts runing around in my head, and even though i usually ramble in reviews anyways, i am pretty sure you don't want to have the history of emily in a review, so I won't.
Author's Response:
Well, it all depends on what you mean by 'cooking' ;-)
Thanks so much Emily - flattered you decided to give this one a try, and glad it didn't disappoint. I guess it's kind of hard to write a story about the whole Karen/Jim saga that isn't sad - quite a tangled mess they wove in S3, lol. Thank god that's over.
Date: February 10, 2008 05:26 pm Title: Chapter 1
Colette, this is so heartbreakingly real and sad. I think it would have been just like this between them, with Karen trying everything under the sun and Jim trying so hard to love her.
Moments like this:
Still, he wishes he didn’t know it wasn’t an inspiration she’d had in the moment.
and lines like these:Where there’s impulse – messy and imperfect - instead of technique. He thinks of bodies colliding how they will and skin kissed or licked or stroked simply because resistance is futile.
are why your stories are so great, and why they always leave me with a sense of longing to have a great love in my life again. Even with an angsty Jim/Karen story, that promise of true love is still there. Wonderful.
Author's Response: That may be the best review ever. I think that's the thing about the whole Jim/Pam saga, maybe why it's so much more compelling than most tv love stories - for all its subtlety and humor and ordinariness, that glimmer of true love is there. So, if you think these fics capture that even a little bit, I'm really flattered. And glad you thought the Karen/Jim dynamic was represented here too. Thanks so much, Sweetpea.
Date: February 10, 2008 10:03 am Title: Chapter 1
Oh, this was wonderful. This is exactly how I imagine their relationship was behind closed doors - Jim recognizing the wonderfulness of Karen and wishing he could truly appreciate it more, while still being unable to stop thinking about Pam - and Karen doing everything right, everything by the book, and still not really connecting.
Author's Response: Glad to hear we see it the same way ;-) As you say, they simply didn't connect. Chemistry is mysterious...I think he genuinely cared about Karen, but you love who you love. Thanks so much for reading and reviewing Semby!
Date: February 09, 2008 10:38 am Title: Chapter 1
So I decided to take a break from cleaning the house for company, and BOY am I glad I did -- this was excellent, just excellent! You probably know that I'm a fan of fics that render Karen dimensional, and this is definitely one of those. I think the Karen you write here is spot-on, actually.
And Jim...sigh. You really have a knack for getting inside that boy's head; I could really see him rationalizing it all away like he does here. I should also say that this line -- "He had a best friend once" -- made my breath catch.
As usual, just impeccable stuff, my friend!
Author's Response:
I consider it an honor to have pulled you away from vacuuming or cleaning the bathroom ;-)
Tickled you thought my version of Karen hit the right note - personally, I think all three points of that bloody triangle were flawed, hurting, conflicted...basically human, lol. I've always felt that even w/o Pam, Jim/Karen simply didn't fit - ironically, they may not have lasted as long, if not for Pam; Jim wouldn't have been so desperate to hang on to someone who - great as she was - just wasn't right for him. And vice versa. And yes, he was continually trying to rationalize/ignore, etc. but deep down, I don't think he was really fooling himself (or us ;-)
Anyway, before I write another chapter here...so glad to hear from you. Always get a little buzz when you like something. Thanks, you. (Now back to your chores, missy.)
Date: February 09, 2008 08:47 am Title: Chapter 1
This is exactly what I imagine Karen and Jim were like together. Jim knowing that Karen is amazing... but just not for him. Very Karen and very Jim. Amazing job!
Author's Response: This stuff is all so subjective, so it's great to hear when something you write coincides with someone else's perception. Glad to hear this resonated with yours. Thanks so much, bebitched.
7 [Report This]Date: February 08, 2008 10:43 pm Title: Chapter 1
you really rocked the house on this one. what a moody piece. it evoked so much. and bonus points for not making it about pam - while having the light layer of her always (which is the whole point of s3 fom jim's pov). 'the new happy' - excellent concept :)
Author's Response: I think you're right about Jim's S3 pov - even in episodes where they had no interaction, Pam was like this subliminal dull ache he couldn't shake, that colored everything. I hoped by not explicitly referring to her, that would come across. So I'm thrilled that's the mood you picked up. Many, many thanks, Emilys List.
Date: February 08, 2008 07:38 pm Title: Chapter 1
Things with Karen are only complicated when he thinks too much. LOL such a guy comment!!! Loved it. And guh, that paragraph where he was thinking of Pam... Because it’s her and he just can’t stop. *melts* So descriptive, you wrote it really well. =)
Author's Response: I love hearing you thought the writing was descriptive. Thanks much, Finer Things.
Date: February 08, 2008 11:55 am Title: Chapter 1
Ah, Karen, you're working too hard at this relationship! And, as usual, colette, you write Jim's inner thoughts so well. Perfect, as usual. So glad S3 is history!
Author's Response: I'm so glad it is too...now if only we actually got to see S4 ;-( Anyway, thrilled to hear you thought this was true to Jim (otherwise it kind of would have been a bust, lol.) Thanks, EH...always appreciate hearing from you!
10 [Report This]Date: February 08, 2008 07:13 am Title: Chapter 1
Gorgeous. As usual.
Author's Response: Well, that's lovely to hear. Thanks so much, Shassafrass! (Hoping to see something from you soon too.)
10 [Report This]Date: February 08, 2008 05:18 am Title: Chapter 1
I nearly fell over when I saw you had written Jim/Karen, but of course I should have known you would never disappoint.
This was beautiful. Really sums up what Jim was thinking in S3, I think. He was settling, basically, and you really illustrated that nicely here. Great job, as always!
Author's Response: Oh, no! Don't fall over! But, yes, settling. No matter how great Karen was, they just didn't fit (plus that pesky minor detail about him being in love with someone else ;-) So pleased you thought that came across here. Thanks so much kells8995!
Date: February 08, 2008 05:13 am Title: Chapter 1
Nice. I think this really is what we weren't seeing on-screen for Jim in season 3. He liked Karen, he wanted to love her, but it was all too neat, too calculated. The real stuff is messy and sticky and bursting with life- the only thing messy with Karen was the emotions he never showed her. This is beautiful, as usual, and I'm very happy I found it.
Author's Response: I'm happy you found it too - and that it rang true for you. And I love what you said about messy and sticky and bursting with life - just so. Thanks so much, nqllisi!
Date: February 07, 2008 09:44 pm Title: Chapter 1
I know I'm not the first to say this, but I feel I should tell you that I do NOT read Jim/Karen fics. lol. It simply doesn't occur in nature. BUT tonight it did because I saw your name attached to it and thought -- CRAP, it's going to be good. And would you look at that -- I was right. And so were you! Great stuff here. I think my absolute favorite moment was when Jim said he often wondered what "real men" wanted too. So sweet, so poignant, so very Jim.
By the way A Doll's House ruled.
Author's Response:
You know, I bet a lot of readers skip this, cause of the Jim/Karen tag...fearing I'll have them riding happily off into the sunset ;-) Glad you gave it a go.
You have an uncanny knack for picking out some small embedded line - didn't think anyone would pick up on that one, but it was actually very important to me while writing. So, yay you! Also pleased you like the Doll's House ref - just so apropos, I thought. Much gratitude, as usual, LoveFool!
10 [Report This]Date: February 07, 2008 08:33 pm Title: Chapter 1
He wonders if passion is just another childish idea he needs to get over.
So very good, as usual, Colette! The same sort of complacent, dispassionate stasis that we saw Pam caught in for the first two seasons is Jim's "New Happy" as well. And you've perfectly captured the nagging doubts that keep him from ever looking totally satisfied with his chosen path. I love the line above, and what it implies about other ideas Jim's given up as "childish."
Author's Response: That's true - Jim's new happy is a lot like Pam's old happy. And I agree - S3 Jim was all about what he had to get over and being that other, 'grown up' guy. Not the most successful experiment ;-) Anyway, I'm always thrilled when you like something - many thanks, Annabel. Really looking forward to your next update too.
Date: February 07, 2008 07:34 pm Title: Chapter 1
Oh, that was SO heartbreakingly real! Fantastic job! Just...wow...
Author's Response: 'Real' is a great compliment. I'm really pleased this worked for you - thanks so much, JennInTheCity!
Date: February 07, 2008 07:17 pm Title: Chapter 1
Jim Jim Jim...when will you ever take your own advice? You know, about taking chances on things.
Anyway, silly Jim aside...I really liked the characterization of Karen here, she is definately a by-the-book person, literally.
great job
Author's Response: Yeah, I never saw it as Karen = demon OR perfect; nor Jim =saint OR 'douche.' Problem was, I think Karen was who she was in their relationship and Jim was who he wasn't ;-) Sad all around. Thank goodness that's over. Thanks so much PamPongChamp, for reading and reviewing!
8 [Report This]Date: February 07, 2008 07:03 pm Title: Chapter 1
This was just beautiful. When I saw the words "angst" and "Jim and Karen" I wasn't sure I wanted to read it but then I thought, it's Colette, she wouldn't put me back out on the S3 ledge again, would she? So I read it and loved it and it was beautiful instead of tragic and it made me sad for Karen because she was trying in the ways she knew how but mostly sad for Jim because he needed to wake up and smell the cassoluet because: He thinks of bodies colliding how they will and skin kissed or licked or stroked simply because resistance is futile." Very well done.
Author's Response: So glad you gave it a read - and trusted I wouldn't leave you teetering on the edge, lol. 'Smell the cassoulet' - I like that; only thing is, I think our boy would be much happier smelling the grilled cheese ;-) And I agree re: Karen - she was trying her best, but it was futile. Many, many thanks kaystar - always pleased when you like something I wrote ;-)
Date: February 07, 2008 06:18 pm Title: Chapter 1
Jim's relationship with Karen was a distraction from his unhappiness and misery, not actual happiness--does that make sense? Anyways you've really captured that. Well done.
Author's Response: Yup, absolutely it does. So pleased you think this captures that feeling. Thanks much, katiej!
Date: February 07, 2008 05:23 pm Title: Chapter 1
I thought this was pretty damn spectacular when I first laid eyes on it - but you've perfected the perfection (if that makes any sense).
I tend to take care of Karen rather neatly (and unrealisticly) so yay you. Absolutely awesome as usual.
Author's Response: This thing was just nagging me, since I wrote the Jim/Karen part of Snip (S3 is like a recurring virus, I guess.) I'm so pleased you liked it - and many thanks, as usual!
10 [Report This]Date: February 07, 2008 05:12 pm Title: Chapter 1
Colette, you're so...great.
Author's Response: NanReg, you're too...kind ;-) Thank you so much!
Date: February 07, 2008 04:59 pm Title: Chapter 1
I love the way you tie together Karen's overelaborate cooking with her expertise in bed with
It turns out, there are recipes to follow in bed too.
Great line. And I love the insight revealed in this line:
Where there’s impulse – messy and imperfect - instead of technique
Well done, Colette. A pleasure to read, and excellent insight into Confused!Jim.
Author's Response: You know, I almost called this story Messy and Imperfect, so there you go. Ah, Confused!Jim - you either want to give him a hug, or hit him upside the head with a frying pan. Thanks, NEJ - happy you liked.