Date: November 18, 2008 01:22 pm Title: The Courage To Fail
I had that kind of feeling in a university music program. Now lookie here, I'm a scientist.
I love how Jim and Pam are connected to reality but measure success by their own standards (or work on doing it, anyway).
I like how you said pursue her dream, rather than achieve; because achieving something is just an end, while pursuit always looks ahead to more. What's the point if you don't have a dream?
I love Jim and Pam's Non-Adventures.
Author's Response: Thanks so much! I think studying the arts - and moreso, "failing" at the arts - is so incredibly hard to deal with. It's so much more personal than an academic field, and you need to be the BEST to get somewhere. And I agree totally with your comment on puruing vs. achieving. :)
10 [Report This]Date: November 18, 2008 01:10 pm Title: The Courage To Fail
Amen. This is why she cried by the subway, because she tried so hard But she smiled in the parking lot, because she had tried at all for the first time. Beautifully done.
Author's Response: Thank you! And yes, I think you're right. :)
10 [Report This]Date: November 18, 2008 11:46 am Title: The Courage To Fail
I absolutely loved this. My favorites:
It isn’t being alone – that certainly isn’t fun, but she’s dealing with it as best she can. It isn’t that she isn’t cut out for the city – she knows she is a suburbanite at heart, but has been surprised by how much fun New York has been.
It is that being here, doing this, has made it very clear that she isn’t as talented as everyone thought.
They hadn’t wasted time in their hometowns at dead end jobs in dead end relationships. The world of possibility that had opened to her just two years ago was one in which they have always lived. They are more confident, more talented, more sophisticated, more daring, more… everything.
She is almost thirty, and her biggest artistic accomplishments are winning a contest judged by elementary school students, displaying some watercolors at a mandatory art show at the Scranton Community Center and four seconds of animation in a commercial no one aside from her coworkers ever saw.
The explanations for why Pam isn't cut out for New York/being an artist are so insightful and dead-on. I think it shows an extreme sense of maturity and growth on her part to admit that she may not be cut out to do what she wants to do. And I love how she's OK with that, as long as she has Jim. Amazing job, LC.
Author's Response: Thanks so much! I've been in Pam's shoes on this one and it HURTS, although I didn't have a Jim to cushion my fall or encourage me, so she's luckier. ;) I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
Date: November 18, 2008 10:20 am Title: The Courage To Fail
I kinda have to say that I agree with your husband; I hated Pam a little bit at the end of Business Trip. Why go through all of that just to throw it all away, right?
But I really like your explanation of her motivations. Sometimes we're not cut out for the things we dream about, and although that may not be very dramatic or the stuff of poignant sitcom television, it is very realistic, and one of the best parts about the whole Jim/Pam thing is that it is very realistic. So yeah, I'm willing to buy this (bittersweet) happy ending for this part of their story. They always have each other and they do the best they can with what life thorws at them, and that's about as romantic as you can get in life...
Nice work.
Author's Response: Thanks so much - this means a lot, especially knowing that initially you didn't feel this way. She did give up after failing, but I don't think it means she isn't still strong, and can't still find success artistically. We'll just have to see...
10 [Report This]Date: November 18, 2008 09:03 am Title: It Worked For Han And Leia
Beautiful piece. Really a joy to read. Thanks for sharing!!
Author's Response: Thanks so much, for reading and reviewing! :)
Date: November 18, 2008 08:56 am Title: The Courage To Fail
Really wonderful!!! I can tell you've been thinking about this, because you really captured all the angles of the situation and explained them perfectly. I swear, I think I've had that kind of call dozens of times. (God, stupid plot that keeps hitting home with me! I'll stop that, I swear.) And way to work in that "he'll never get over Pam" profoundness about him being the constant cheerleader for her. You're really making me inspired enough to contribute to this! If you still want me to, that is. :P Fantastic job!!
Author's Response: Oh, you. :) Yeah, I've thought a lot about it, but more lived it (see? I can relate to plotlines too! ;) ), and had to explain for her, why accepting failure is brave, too. I'm glad you picked up on that Jim note, as I already told you. :) YES I still want you to contribute, so get on the ball - it ain't like you're busy. ;)
Date: November 18, 2008 06:33 am Title: The Courage To Fail
Another fine job, LC. Your description of Jim's support of Pam was so touching (He is an endless font of encouraging clichés, but he says them so earnestly that she drinks them in without a smirk or a laugh--beautiful). Oh, and BTW, your husband is wrong. I'm in your camp on this one ; )
Author's Response: Thanks, Nan! I don't know that the hubs is wrong, per se, just that he saw it in a different way. I took this story line really personally and I've experienced what Pam did, and I felt like I wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt, I guess. It'll be fascinating to see where the writers take our Pam next. ;)
Date: November 18, 2008 02:39 am Title: The Courage To Fail
This is just perfect Pam. A brilliant little summation of her thoughts on art school and life in general :)
Author's Response: Oh, well thank you! I'm so happy you liked it. Like I said, it was very personal - I commiserated (sp?) with our Pam in a way i never had before after that episode, and I wanted to let her explain herself. :)
Date: November 18, 2008 02:30 am Title: It Worked For Han And Leia
Oh and also, yay for Han/Leia references :)
Author's Response: You're silly. But absolutely right. Oh, the love I have for the pirate and the princess... *sigh* ;)
Date: November 18, 2008 02:29 am Title: It Worked For Han And Leia
Ok so I tried to review this last night but my internet died right when I clicked submit. I don't remember much of what I'd typed beyond some incoherent you=awesome comments. Because really, you do. I love the way you write Jim/Pam, it feels so natural and in character. And to top of the happiness, when I came back to repost this review this morning, I discovered another chapter. Yet more proof that you=awesome :)
Author's Response: Well dear, you=awesome for not ONE review but THREE! :) Thanks so much, as always, for your kind words. I try my hardest to stay true to my view of Jim and Pam, and am always happy when readers think I have. :)
Date: November 17, 2008 09:43 pm Title: It Worked For Han And Leia
Oh, the geek love in this. I really enjoyed reading it, from beginning to end. That "I love you" moment (or Moment) can be awkward for any couple, but I always thought it would be particularly... uh... momentous for Jim and Pam. Loved the haiku, and the ending. "I know." Sigh. Wonderful work, and I do hope you continue!
Author's Response: Geek love fo'eva! Holla! Ahem. ;) Thanks a lot - I'm really happy you enjoyed it! It was momentous in a totally unmomoentous way, which I think is the essence of Pim. And the haiku...I'm still not sure where that came from. :)
Date: November 17, 2008 02:14 pm Title: It Worked For Han And Leia
This is awesome! I love the countdowns, and I can feel their happiness (and nerves) throughout the story. Brilliant title too. Thanks so much for this.
Author's Response: Thanks so much! I'm really glad you liked it. This seemed like such a small yet pivotal point for them, and I can imagine that they'd both be very nervous about it. And the title is my nerd indulgence! :)
Date: November 17, 2008 01:22 pm Title: It Worked For Han And Leia
There's just something so perfect about this line, "You don’t have to read from an approved script with her anymore, which is fantastic and freeing, but it leaves you at a loss for words sometimes." It rings so true of Jim and Pam, and of life, really. It's a lot easier to talk when you know what is expected of you or when you know what not to say than it is when you can say whatever you want. Is that some kind of paradox? :) Anyway, I'd never thought about that before, and I had to tell you that I loved it. Great job (on the whole story, not just on that line, heehehehe!)
Oh, and I also enjoyed the Star Wars-yness of the "I love you"s. :)
Author's Response: Oh, thank you! That idea and subsequent line kind of just came to me, but the more I thought about it the more it fit. I'm so happy you liked it. And Star Wars is the shite! :)
10 [Report This]Date: November 17, 2008 10:13 am Title: It Worked For Han And Leia
Let's see here:
- Great, descriptive writing? Check.
- 2nd person narrative (a personal fave)? Check.
- Dorktastic keeping track of numbers and stuff? Check.
- Empire ref? Check.
- Nard dog haiku? Check and mate. :D
This here is a whole series of wins, my friend. (And I'll give the assisst to katie. :D)
Also, I have a song I need to send you that this fic reminded me of. So there's that.
Author's Response: Thanks, buddy - I'm so happy you checked this out and enjoyed it! I've never felt like my descriptive writing was very strong, so I'm so happy you thought it held up. And as for my narrative voice - the piece always chooses its own for me. I really have no say in it! And you know me and Star Wars. ;) Thank you for such a kind review - I'm waiting for my song... :)
Date: November 17, 2008 08:11 am Title: It Worked For Han And Leia
GUUUUUHHHHH I just got shot by GUH bullets and now I'm dying of GUUUHHitis. I mean, I can't even pick out my favorite line because all of them were just like, killing me. I LERV the way you talk about all the ways they say I love you without words (your reference to The Date was very subtle and well placed), and the final nail in the GUH coffin was when they said it in unison. Amaaaaaazing job my dear!!
Author's Response: You, darling, are ridiculous. Thanks for giving me the confidence to get back on the horse - I hope you noticed that Mose and Nan both gave you deserved props! ;)
Date: November 17, 2008 07:37 am Title: It Worked For Han And Leia
I have not yet my morning coffee so I'm not all that coherent except to say I thought it was a lovely short piece. :) Well done!
Author's Response: Well thanks for such kind words, even sans caffeine! :)
Date: November 17, 2008 06:36 am Title: It Worked For Han And Leia
The reappearance of the coaster :)
So nice to have a new one from you, LC. As much as I thoroughly enjoyed The Trip, THIS is why you are one of my favorites. You so beautifully got into Jim's head, revealing his joy and his insecurity, maintaining that building up of tension throughout the story. I love the quirkiness of your writing, the sweet little details (like Rainman references, for instance).
How many seconds since you learned that bliss is a real state of existence and you are eyeball-deep in it? You captured Jim's happiness in one little sentence.
You think you should give yourself partial credit. You have managed to get out such poetic phrases as “You are just…so…,” “You know that I’m, like…,” and “Oh, God…you…,” but these usually end in dazed head-shaking or kissing - and that last one, that occurred the first time you saw…well, all of her (six days, 21 hours and 14 minutes ago), and by no means should you have been expected to form a full sentence under those circumstances. Delicious.
The best way to stay out of that rut is to continue this story. Would I lie?
P.S. Thanks, Dundie All-Star. You are wise and wonderful : )
Author's Response: Well DA-S is in fact the greatest, but Nan, your kind words a week ago also helped me get over my funk, so props to you as well! :) I'm so happy you enjoyed this. That bliss line came from...somewhere else, and as weird as it is I really like it and I'm pleased you did too. Thank you so much for your kind words!
Date: November 17, 2008 06:26 am Title: It Worked For Han And Leia
Well, guh, what a sweet story, and very believeable. I hope you continue with a series.
This was truly inspired:
"Watching her laugh at an impromptu haiku you emailed her (oh Andrew Bernard/in pink and lime and sky blue/Cornell’s proud peacock), trumps any love poem recitation by far"
Author's Response: Thanks so much! I'm going to try and continue this. Glad you dug the poetry! :)
10 [Report This]Date: November 17, 2008 06:24 am Title: It Worked For Han And Leia
Oooh. So sweet. You handle this with such a light touch. It is sweet and funny and thoughtful- you have a much better grip on Jim's voice than I do, so I am jealous. I love that you start with a reference to movie characters and have the climax as an echo from a movie moment without explicitly drawing the parallel at the end. That's well done. Welcome back!
Author's Response: Thank you so much! I tried to keep the piece more or less light-hearted without making it jokey. For some reason I get into Jim's head a little too comfortably...that may say a lot about me psychologically. :) I'm happy you noticed and enjoyed the "callback" of sorts - I tried to stay subtle! :)
Date: November 17, 2008 06:02 am Title: It Worked For Han And Leia
Wow! This was great! So well written! This line "You are fluent in Pam, easily translating the adjectives in her eyes and adverbs in her fluttering hands" is amazing! Great job!
Author's Response: Thanks so much - I'm really glad you liked it!
Date: November 17, 2008 04:42 am Title: It Worked For Han And Leia
I loved this fic from the beginning when you mentioned The Goonies. AWESOME.
Author's Response: Wow, thank you so very much! :)