10 [Report This]Date: August 12, 2008 02:18 pm Title: Same old story
This? Killed me. This whole chapter. Wow.. you've done it again, Colette.
Author's Response: Sorry about killing you, but glad you're finding this, uh... effective ;-) Many thanks, flonkerton!
Date: August 12, 2008 01:38 pm Title: Same old story
Really nice work with this story. Your characterizations are very well done and fit nicely within that time frame in Season 3. Thanks for sharing!
Author's Response: Thanks so much ShunUnshun - happy to hear this is working for you!
Date: August 12, 2008 12:11 pm Title: Same old story
Ouch. I really like your characterization of Pam, trying new things, wobbling a bit, and then retreating. Then trying to relate to Jim as her buddy, but that not really working either.
And then Karen's shrill order and simultaneous dissing of Jim's music interrupts the moment. Of course. Nicely done.
Author's Response: Nothing was really working for either of them at that point, was it? So frustrating. But, yes - I saw Pam as equally lost re: how to 'be' around him...trying to stay within the new boundaries she thought he'd drawn (casual/distant friend?) and then when she's initially rebuffed by him here, retreating, but brushing herself off and trying again. I always felt like there was never really a disconnect between them - just longing masquerading as one. But, before this turns into another chapter - thanks so much, Lisa - really love the feedback!
Date: August 12, 2008 12:08 pm Title: Same old story
Congrats on the well-deserved blue ribbon, Colette!
Author's Response: Why thanks, m'am!
10 [Report This]Date: August 12, 2008 11:44 am Title: Same old story
When I write fic, I think in terms of gaps. I don't like to predict, really, and I'm not a fan of AU. I like to flesh out what we already know and pause for a moment on the things that didn't get explored. This is a wonderful, tiny gap that you've stumbled upon here. I'm deeply impressed by it, particularly your characterization of Jim. It's spot-on. I think that this paragraph in particular is one of the best I've read from you - "It was odd sitting with her in the dark, so close he could sense the vibration in the air when she breathed. It was at once familiar and strange and wrong and right and he didn’t care. All he knew was how soft she looked in her sweater, how unnatural it was not to touch her, that he was made to touch her. He imagined pushing her back against the pillows, feeling what it would be like to cover her body with his own, her mouth with his. He wanted to pretend it was the end of a long evening at her - at their - place and everyone would soon be gone. He’d tell her, let’s clean up in the morning and he’d kiss her and she’d kiss him back and they’d have the whole night ahead of them." It's so delicate and touching and just, well, sad. I can't wait for the conclusion.
Author's Response: Yeah, in terms of fanfic, I've never been much of an AU writer myself - I'm much more interested in riffing on what we've seen - as you say, there are so many fertile blanks to fill in. Glad you thought this particular one was fic worthy - I've never been a big complicated plot girl - I tend to be more inspired by small moments like this - and 'delicate' is a lovely compliment. Thanks so much Talkative!
10 [Report This]Date: August 12, 2008 11:18 am Title: Same old story
My heart hurts, Colette. He’d chuckled back, but immediately looked around to make sure no one had heard them...Now he regarded no one sitting alone in the dark. Boy, that just knocks the wind out of me. You have such a way with words.
Author's Response: So sorry about your heart, NanReg! I recommend watching a S4 episode - works very well as a balm ;-) Thanks so much!
Date: August 12, 2008 10:38 am Title: You must be happy
Oh, Colette. This looks so simple; you don't embellish, you don't add anything unnecessary. But it's just so full and precise and perfect. He hadn’t had much luck with that approach in the past. Wow. It's amazing how that simple sentence conveys a world of hurt, of wry humor, of the very "Jim-ness" of the situation. I'm astounded, as usual. More, please!
Author's Response: Aw, thanks so much nqllisi - I really do strive to accomplish just what you said in your review when I write (fanfic and regular fic), so it's v. gratifying to know that's what you see. And Jim's 'world' that you describe is precisely as I saw him too. And, voila, more is already here ;-)
Date: August 12, 2008 09:58 am Title: You must be happy
Wow Colette - I've gotta join the chorus of reviewers singing your praises. I just read over some of your older stories and they are terrific. I love this story and the bittersweet scene of the party. All during S3 I hated how things were so angsty - yet I have to admit it had its brilliance. Those scenes of Pam and Jim so distant, so sad or angry, stick in my mind so vividly.
Pam's little homely pot is such a good metaphor to Karen and everything she is. But I wish I could see it! Any chance of a visual?
Thank you again - more soon. Hope that fanfic muse gives you a MESS of stuff to play with.
Author's Response: You're very generous, MintChocolateChip - and I agree, S3 was a hard pill to swallow, but it did give us some pretty interesting fodder for thought. And fanfic, lol. Glad you thought the pot worked as a sort of metaphor - sorry though, I don't have a visual to share (but, sshhh...don't tell, but the pot I described is a lot like one I made as a teenager, that my mom still has.) Thanks so much!
10 [Report This]Date: August 12, 2008 06:15 am Title: Invitation
Yay. Happy day. I love the days I log on and you have posted a new story. I actually grabbed my tea and a muffin before I sat down to read...it's like getting a new book :)
Of course I love this. You've described Jim's discomfort, and near fear about being around Pam perfectly. Poor Pam - embarrassed about her gift, and isn't it like a caddy woman to dismiss it so quickly like Karen did? Ugh. I think we've all met/dealt with women like that.
I cannot wait for more. Boy it would be nice to come home to an update after work later ;) Just saying....
Author's Response:
Tea and a muffin is high praise! Thanks, kells! Glad you think this feels true to those two at that point.
You know, I'm really pleased, and a bit surprised, that readers seem to be liking this - really wasn't sure if S3 angst was what anyone wanted to read these days. Maybe remembering the misery makes the current situation that much sweeter?
10 [Report This]Date: August 12, 2008 05:56 am Title: You must be happy
new Colette! hot damn!!!!!!!
Author's Response: Glad you're excited, downtown! More today, I hope. Thanks much!
Date: August 11, 2008 11:23 pm Title: You must be happy
There's always so much to love about your writing. There's such a richness to every line, but I must say my absolute favorite moment was the way you described Jim's reaction to Pam's embarrassment at the clay pot -- an unexpected knife to his own gut. YES. Exactly right.
Can not wait for more.
Author's Response: Yay! I could just imagine Jim literally feeling her discomfort viscerally - wanting to support/reassure her and not being able to. Ugh. S3 was all kinds of fun, huh? Thanks for always being such a great reader - and how about your great writing chops, my friend? (Who me, pushy? ;-)
10 [Report This]Date: August 11, 2008 09:49 pm Title: You must be happy
Oh Colette, how wonderful it is to see a new story from you! Completly compelling as usual. You capture Karen just like I imagine her, and the build up of the perfectly chic apartment and possesions, then the contrast you display when describing Pam's gift, it's amazing. Can't wait for more.
Author's Response: Compelling - now that makes me happy to hear! Really pleased the Karen/Pam contrast rang true for you. Thanks so much for reading and your kind comments, Annika!
Date: August 11, 2008 07:07 pm Title: You must be happy
Loving this! You're such an amazing writer! I am totally hooked!
Author's Response: Thanks so much, Jinxcoke!
Date: August 11, 2008 06:02 pm Title: You must be happy
A story from Colette, so yea, it'll be great...it already is pretty darn good. looking forward to more. Pam is so sweet bringing she devil Karen a homemade gift. ;)
Author's Response: Thanks, iwantphillyjim - happy this is working for you!
Date: August 11, 2008 05:53 pm Title: You must be happy
Ah, Ms. Colette, your writing is so wonderful, I can't stay away, even if it's angsty with poor James trying to walk the tightrope between the two women in his life. Good characterization of Karen's need to "prove" herself after having her confidence shaken hearing about Pam. Not surprised at how dismissively she treats Pam's gift, a not so subtle putdown of Pam herself. Despite her outward confidence, she's got some insecurities.
Looking forward to updates, dear.
Author's Response: So glad you're liking this, even if it does revisit such a not fun era. Like I said earlier, this isn't AU, so yeah, ouch. (And I love all these metaphors you reviewers are coming up with - 'walking a tightrope' is another great description.) I agree about Karen - how could her insecurities not come out, in subtle and not so subtle ways, given her situation at that point? After all, GF was no wonder woman, just a human girl, with a very conflicted bf and a lot of pantsuits. Thanks, EH - always pleased when you're on board!
Date: August 11, 2008 05:47 pm Title: You must be happy
Oh, ouch. Please tell me Jim & Karen didn't buy that fancy imported cheese together.
This is great: He just couldn’t figure out how to be around her. Oh, Jim. Poor guy. Trying to color in the lines, but not doing a very good job of it.
Author's Response: No, I promise - no joint fancy cheese shopping sightings were reported anywhere in the vicinity of Scranton. Hope that gives you a little solice ;-) And, trying to color inside the lines is an apt description - what a tangled web he wove, that heartbroken lanky lunkhead. Thanks so much Lisa - more later, I hope.
9 [Report This]Date: August 11, 2008 05:34 pm Title: You must be happy
Thanks for the quick update, Colette. It made me all squirmy (in a good way). You brilliantly captured the awkwardness between Jim and Pam while emphasizing how out of place Jim is with Karen. He's so out of his element. Somehow, that fleeting gesture conveyed more about territory than an elaborate treaty would. Perfect. And this, too: 'Yeah, well… I’ll just throw this on the…bed,’ the word stumbled haltingly off his tongue. He felt his face and ears burning as he fled to the bedroom. Really loving this--as I knew I would.
Author's Response: Is is wrong that I'm happy to hear I made you squirm? ;-) 'Out of his element' is a great way to describe it, btw. Thanks, as always, NanReg! Glad you're loving this.
9 [Report This]Date: August 11, 2008 05:21 pm Title: You must be happy
"Wait. Isn't he the cute blond one? .. You should introduce him to Pam." Isn't that the way of women right there!
Love your characterization of Karen's elegant grace compared with Pam's more earthy kind of beauty. But this in particular sums up Jim's entire season 3 dilemma perfectly:
But now, stripped of the armor of the office setting, he felt like he was back to square one. He had no bearings.
He just couldn’t figure out how to be around her.
Great work, as always, and I hope the gods of fanfic are with you tomorrow, for all of our sakes :)
Author's Response: Yeah, I didn't want to dis Karen...just focus on how she and Jim didn't quite fit. And your reading of the line about Jim not knowing how to be is precisely how I saw him in S3. Many thanks Callisto - love hearing from you!
Date: August 11, 2008 05:02 pm Title: Invitation
Once again you slay me, Colette. Your stories always provide me with such vivid imagery yet you don't take 3 paragraphs to describe a feeling and I appreciate that very much. I can't wait to see where you take this and I'll be following every step of the way!
Author's Response: Thanks, elly! Love hearing the feelings come through for you without too much verbage. Much appreciated ;-)
Date: August 11, 2008 04:42 pm Title: You must be happy
The uneasiness between them is so sad and so frustrating. But during this time all they did was make small talk and so the uneasiness between them is very realistic. I like Pam's choice of clothing, simple, understated and classic. And to Jim she is still the most beautiful woman in the world.
Author's Response: That frustration and uneasiness was so relentless in S3, wasn't it? Is it mean to say I'm glad you felt that in this, lol? Thanks so much Alamos...really appreciate it!
Date: August 11, 2008 04:36 pm Title: You must be happy
I just loved this:
Much as he tried – sometimes the harder he tried – there were many things he knew he withheld from her. But this he could do. So, he did his best imitation of a dutiful boyfriend, smiling proudly, acting like this was exactly where he belonged.
And I love Karen's territorial display at the door and that she manages to make Pam feel so small. So well done.
Author's Response: Glad that scene at the door came across - I didn't want to overwork it. Thanks so much Vampiric Blood!
Date: August 11, 2008 04:33 pm Title: Invitation
Oh the tight rope Jim has to walk now that he's told Karen that it was just a crush! I like what you're doing with this.
Date: August 11, 2008 04:26 pm Title: Invitation
Just when I thought it was going to be another boring Monday, there is a new story from you. I like the setting of this story for Jim and Pam, this was a very delicate and awkward time for them so it will be interesting to see what twist you take. This is a great visual: his expression must have resembled a child's, just told he was going to the doctor’s office for a vaccination
10 [Report This]Date: August 11, 2008 03:09 pm Title: Invitation
Colette! Yay! I'm hanging on your every word. I kinda love MiserableOverPam!Jim, since things seem to be pretty ducky now. ::knocks wood::
Date: August 11, 2008 03:08 pm Title: You must be happy
I'll go with option "B" please. ;-)
This is very good. And we all know that Jim prefers Pam's artsy fartsy turtlenecks to Karen's expensive silky black blouses!
Author's Response: At least he eventually went with option B...and never looked back ;-) Thanks Abigail!