10 [Report This]Date: October 13, 2009 05:30 pm Title: Air and Water
that was great. i loved pam's chapter, you were right, women do have ALL the details! but i am one myself, so i know that, too. i like their desperation and passion, and especially how you've left so little to the imagination with such sparse dialog. this was great! nice work, colette!
Author's Response: So glad this worked for you - it was a really fun one to write. Thanks, pamelamorganhalpert!
10 [Report This]Date: September 21, 2008 11:51 am Title: Air and Water
When I found this in late June (better a late review than none, right?) I was still depressed over the finale, and then this appeared like a light in the darkness! Best thing I've read all year - I printed it out immediately and have read it approximately 800 times since - and it was a huge comfort/relief to be able to believe the summer was passing just like this. Love the urgency in their meeting, but ending with a flip through Pam's sketchbook...that encapsulates everything I love about them. And talk about beautiful descriptive details in everything; it played out as clear as video in my mind.
Author's Response: That's incredibly flattering x 800. I'm so pleased this captured what you love about them - and soothed your post-finale angst. Your being able to actually see it play out in your head is the best praise to me - you never know if the details will come across as vividly to a reader as they seem in your head while writing. So thanks for that - and for your very generous review, Rainbow Stevie.
10 [Report This]Date: September 06, 2008 05:58 pm Title: Air and Water
Ooooooooooh you should write more me thinks!
Author's Response: And, thanks again!
9 [Report This]Date: September 06, 2008 05:49 pm Title: Early
BRILLIANT!!!
Author's Response: Thanks!
Date: July 26, 2008 07:43 am Title: Early
This is a great fic. I love how it's written from both Jim and Pam's POV. so great. I wish it would continue!
Author's Response: Thanks so much, Bayjb! Sorry, this one is complete, I'm afraid (but, I did write another Pam/Jim in Brooklyn fic - called August - so maybe you could consider that a 'continuation? ;-)
8 [Report This]Date: June 13, 2008 11:45 pm Title: Air and Water
yayyy! you know, you don't write nearly enough. at least when you do it's like necessary hydration to my soul :) something like that.
Author's Response: It's true...being prolific isn't my strong suit. But, always pleased when you're pleased, Emily. Or something like that. ;-) Many thanks.
Date: June 09, 2008 12:33 pm Title: Air and Water
I loved it. It perfectly hit the spot. Thank you!
Author's Response: No, thank you Aurorabee. Glad you enjoyed!
10 [Report This]Date: June 05, 2008 07:19 pm Title: Early
Oh colette! So happy to see new fic from you.
This is wonderful. I mean, I always love your writing, so of course it's no surprise to me.
Where to start? I love the quiet way she jumps into his arms and kisses him, and how she wears the ring so she can feel it on her somewhere.
Your writing is so rich, colette. I can read your story and feel the heat and thick air of the city in the summer. I can picture Jim all sweaty with sleeves rolled up and sitting with a cold beer on a stoop...and for that I thank you :)
Seriously, another home run, my dear. Just lovely.
Author's Response: Funny how sweaty, beer drinking Jim inspires me to write, lol. Tickled this worked for you kells - and I love the term 'rich' to describe the writing - that's high praise in my book. Thanks so much.
Date: June 05, 2008 06:50 pm Title: Air and Water
Oh, this was just lovely. I think you've beautifully captured the combined relief and desperation they'd be feeling after seeing each other after an unusually long amount of time spent apart. And the little taste of Pam's new growth and what she's been doing in her classes is wonderful, too.
Author's Response: So pleased you thought this captured that feeling - and I hoped this would give a sense of Pam just beginning to stretch and feel a bit more sure of herself in her work. Thanks, Semby - much appreciated!
Date: June 04, 2008 05:07 pm Title: Air and Water
I love this :) Your words here are all ones that I can hear and imagine. The descriptions of summer and the heat are fantastic. Your stories always have such gorgeous imagery, and this one is no exception. I especially enjoyed the ending of this chapter.. ‘Show me more,’ he beams at her, leaning in to gently kiss her forehead.
Just great. I'm looking forward to reading more.
Author's Response: Glad the words felt right to you - and that you liked that last line of Jim's. I love that he encourages her and how delighted he is when she challenges herself. Anyway, thanks for your very kind review, katepotatoe!
Date: June 04, 2008 04:57 pm Title: Air and Water
Hot and...humid, actually. Hee. Very nice!
Author's Response: Cute! They say wet heat is good for the pores. Which was really the secret message of this story ;-) Thanks, nqllisi!
Date: June 04, 2008 06:34 am Title: Early
Another beautiful story! Your description of NYC in the summer brought all my years there back to me quite vividly. (That's one of the few things I don't miss!) This story is of my favorite variety - requited angst. Your portrayals of Jim and Pam are so nuanced; I particularly liked Jim's struggles with himself about boundaries and Pam's continuing growth as she recognizes Jim's support. The detail about the ring was surprising and very moving. Thanks for a great read to start my day!
Author's Response: So tickled that NY-ers are feeling the city in this - did not expect that [/pam]. Also, really appreciate your comments about Jim respecting (not appropriating) Pam's experience, despite how absorbed they are in each other, yet how Jim's encouragement effects her...exactly what I hoped would come across. And I'll take any review that uses the terms 'nuanced,' 'surprising' and 'moving' - some of my personal faves ;-) Thanks so very much, miss anne eliot (can I call you anne?)
Date: June 03, 2008 11:54 pm Title: Early
You are such an unbelievably good word painter. I feel like I can literally SEE every word you write. And believe me, Jim and Pam all hot and sticking and um "cooling off" in the shower is quite the image! Just great work here. I eagerly await the next bit of Colette greatness. :-)
Author's Response: I love that you can 'see' the story...in real life, I'm actually a pretty visual girl, so that's an important element of writing to me. In real life, I'm also all for cooling off in the shower with Jim (what?!? He's not real, you say? Dang.) Thanks, LF! (And speaking of greatness - do you have anything cooking?)
10 [Report This]Date: June 03, 2008 07:51 pm Title: Air and Water
Like I believe I said in my response to your review, your stories are gorgeous - in fact, I think you write the best Jim/Pam together and happy fics on the site. They're beautifully written and steamy and, well, just wonderful really. This one is no exception. Amazing job!
Author's Response: You are too kind, and I'm very flattered. And very pleased you liked this so much. Many thanks, bigtunette!
Date: June 03, 2008 06:46 pm Title: Air and Water
So here's what I've decided: I think you should post either a fic a week or a chapter a week, at the same time: 9:00 on Thursday evenings. Because I swear, your stuff is like the show in that it never disappoints (only yours never has even the slightest little hiccup -- *cough* proposal interruptus).
My favorite bits:
- Love it that she's a little irritated because she'd wanted to get prettied up for him. Who hasn't been there? Somehow it always seems to happen that way -- you have the grandest plans for a killer outfit, perfect hair, perfume to bring him to his knees, and bam! He shows up when you're in sweats and a ponytail. :o)
- "Christ, he's a beautiful mess." Wow -- that's one of those simply brilliant, understated lines you're so prone to interjecting (rather like "hot as a very hot thing" -- simple but freaking brilliant).
- Your description of their kiss -- from her feet being off the ground to the salt of his skin and the taste of beer -- absolutely visceral. ...Which, of course, = hot.
- Absolutely love the metaphor of the title (and the way you work it so seamlessly into the story), that Jim is tantamount to air and water for her -- just essential for her to really live and breathe. Lovely.
- Okay, first: Pam taking her shirt off -- playing her trump card, as it were? Awesome. (There are definite advantages to being female, I must say. ;o)) Second: The revelation of her engagement ring just made me smile and smile. And I love it that she wears it around her neck....
- I fear I'd venture into all-out skeevy territory if I went into all the reasons why that shower scene is so freaking hot; suffice it to say...right on the mark, my dear. (P.S. I love reading scenes like that written by a woman who has a genuine appreciation for JK's many attributes, because...damn.) :o)
- Also love it that even though she's presumably got drawers full of her own clothes, she still rifles in his bag and puts on his boxers and a tank. I remember before Mr. Girl7 & I got married, I was thinking that one of the benefits of marriage would be that I could easily raid his closet, and I have to say, even after six years of marriage, I still prefer his tee-shirts to my own. ;oD
- "Show me more" and the entire tableau you create to go with that capture the essence of what makes them Jim & Pam (which is something for which you have an uncanny knack, my friend).
Well...as usual you've left me satisfied and smiling. :o) I'm sort of breaking in my new "home office" tonight -- which is all decorated and girlie (lavender walls, dim lamps, candles everywhere), but it's definitely climate-control challenged, in spite of my two fans. All this to say: Your fic seemed perfect for this atmosphere. :o)
Thanks for doing what you do. :o)
Author's Response:
Wait, if I do that Thurs. night thing, can I sell commercial time? And charge for product placement? Will I have a strike clause in my contract? ;-)
As usual, you've left me amazed at how much you found here - and at how fun your reviews always are. So, thanks for doing what you do. Especially pleased that the tableau (nice description, btw) at the end rang true - I really hoped that would suggest their dynamic. What else? I'll just end by saying that you're such a supportive reader/reviewer and it's very much appreciated. And just so you know - reading your update is going to be my carrot for getting through endless merd here at work today. Thanks so much for that too, you!
Date: June 03, 2008 11:33 am Title: Air and Water
I'm super incredibly busy - don't have a lot of time and am sneaking just to read this.
Since I can't write the review I want to I just gave you a ribbon instead. :)
Use responsibly.
Author's Response:
OMG…a hit and run! No worries – I promise not to operate heavy machinery or an automobile while using this ribbon. No, seriously - thanks so much, xoxoxo. Always appreciate the recognition - and so happy you liked this! ;-)
9 [Report This]Date: June 03, 2008 09:17 am Title: Early
It's funny. I adored this fic quite a bit more than any I've read recently. I love the subtlety in the words, the pure love meshed with the raging lust, the way Pam hasn't changed much and how NY has infiltrated her life.
However. What really stuck out to me is - as a born-and-raised New York City girl with Brooklynite parents - you nailed my City. While Jim was waiting for Pam, and while Pam was walking home... I could clearly see them in my neighborhoods, in my area, in my world.
Brava, Colette. I am very, very impressed.
Author's Response: So pleased this worked so well for you Callie. I'm also a born/bred NYC girl, so (as I said to another reviewer) it's really nice to finally set a story in a context I actually know, lol. And I'm so pleased the locale came across - I didn't hit that note too hard, but I guess it's in the little details. Love hearing you could visualize them there (I literally thought of the brownstones on DeKalb, a few blocks from Pratt in Ft. Greene as I was writing.) Anyway, thanks so much for this lovely review!
Date: June 03, 2008 06:29 am Title: Early
WOW! I could get into a weekly update on this one. I would love to see next two down ten to go!!!!
Author's Response: Sadly, that's probably not in the cards...but I really appreciate the thought. Thanks much, khan3stooges!
10 [Report This]Date: June 02, 2008 11:13 pm Title: Air and Water
You are absolutely amazing. I hope you know that? I thought I reviewed for the previous chapter but I guess my computer failed to save it.
The steamy action (literally-the shower scene esp) was so fantastic.
Author's Response: Well, not sure that I know that, but it's wonderful to hear, lol. Glad you enjoyed the steam and many thanks, raspberryjam!
10 [Report This]Date: June 02, 2008 09:12 pm Title: Air and Water
this, THIS is why you are bookmarked as one of my favorite authors.. i can't bear to miss any of your stories! i loved it! but i must say:
this is it?? NOO! you're not continuing with a "Two down, ten to go" part? can't it be a series?? lol :)
Author's Response: Sorry, but this one is done. However...stay tuned ;-) So flattering to be bookmarked - thank for that and for your review, chelibelle!
Date: June 02, 2008 08:53 pm Title: Air and Water
This chapter was fabulous!
B
Author's Response: Thank you so much. Glad you enjoyed, batman29!
Date: June 02, 2008 08:45 pm Title: Air and Water
Everyone has said it all. Just another lovely "ordinary" moment in the lives of our two favorite lovebirds, made extraordinary by your words.
Author's Response: Thanks so much, EH...you are always such a great audience. I've never been about big 'high concept' plots, and it's great to know there are readers like you who can get into the ordinary stuff. That's where these two live, I think ;-)
10 [Report This]Date: June 02, 2008 08:12 pm Title: Air and Water
I know everyone says they love your stuff, Colette, but I love your stuff. :D I also love and appreciate how much thought you put into the details. Your stories are always interesting, and unique. I just feel like this is the Jim and Pam that we know and love. The dialogue is just spot on, as always, and then things got all steamy. Yay. Who doesn't love that? :-P
Author's Response: Well, you're not everyone, susanita - so hearing you liked this is wonderful ;-) I'm a big detail girl (not just in writing) so I appreciate your appreciating that. And I love hearing that the characters I've written feel recognizable to you - so many thanks, my friend!
Date: June 02, 2008 07:44 pm Title: Air and Water
Ah, it was indeed fun while it lasted, and I love that you made it just a short tasty story. The imagery of her wearing that ring around her neck because she couldn't bear being apart from it is so powerful. All the shower shenanigans were good too. ;) You have quite the gift for putting their relationship into a context and into words that ring true.
Author's Response: Well, I had fun writing it, so glad you could share ;-) Shower shenanigans - ha! Perfect. And I'm glad the ring thing worked - it struck me, but you never know how it will strike others. Thanks, MA, for this very kind review!
10 [Report This]Date: June 02, 2008 06:41 pm Title: Air and Water
There are so many lovely things about this chapter, I don't even know where to begin. You have such a unique way of capturing Jim and Pam that, even when it is obvious the story has come to a close, I find myself sad it is over every single time. If I could think a bit more cohesively right now, I could point out some specifics. But I'd probably wind up reciting most of this chapter. Thank you for sharing.
Author's Response: And thank you, for such a lovely review, WalkInLove. Yeah, this was conceived as a very small time frame, but I'm kind of liking this summer in the city thing, so time permitting, there will be more loosely related fics. Really appreciate your comments!