Date: August 19, 2022 03:59 am Title: Etymology
This is my favorite fanfic, and I've read a lot of them. A lot.
Date: August 01, 2021 05:36 pm Title: Definition
Did I make an account specifically so I could leave a comment on a 12 year old fic, for a show that ended 8 years ago, in the vain hope that you, dear author, would read it? Yes. Yes I did.
Like many folks over the past year and some change, I watched The Office for the first time during quarantine. I love and adore Jim & Pam's whole dynamic and have enjoyed many works of fanfiction about them. Nonetheless, I /longed/ to find a fic of them following the events of The Job that depicted exactly what you have written here. I don't know How you did it, but you somehow read my mind, 12 years in advance. It's just so perfectly soft, and has the right amount of New Relationship Awkwardness that's bound in so much affection that it's Unbelievably endearing and so stinkin' cute. Likewise with the smuff- simultaneously so soft & sexy. This is the fic I've scoured the internet for, the fic of Dreams. Bravo, I tip my hat to you.
Date: February 12, 2010 11:25 pm Title: Definition
I don't think you check reviews on this stuff anymore, but better late than never?
You know I love everything from you, but this is the only one I've not read a dozen times. I think this is my third(?) time reading it and I like it more and more. The first time I read it, I loved it, but not love loved... cause I was doing the compare/contrast with your Week Days/End stories. Since those are my favorite, I couldn't get my head around this. When I finally decided to re-read this again, now, without comparing, I just fell in love with it. You're my Annabel Winslow ;)
Date: December 24, 2009 08:55 pm Title: Definition
Oh goodness. This was wonderfully written. I agree with what you wrote at the beginning of the first chapter—a lot of the beginning-of-their-relationship fics are very much "full steam ahead." Those kinds of stories are great and fun to read, but this story acknowledges their respective insecurities in a way that I really appreciate. I can totally imagine Pam being nervous for all the reasons your articulated here. Great job.
Date: February 16, 2009 11:09 pm Title: Etymology
After months of lurking, and some quite obsessive reading on MTT, I've finally created an account just so I can write a review of 'Vocabulary'. I love love LOVE this story. You've captured their nervousness and overwhelming feeling beautifully. Wonderful.
Too many favourite moments to point to, but I will say that I especially love their chatting away while their intimacy increases. And the skirt reference!
I've always enjoyed your writing Talkative (huge fan of Week's End too). Please keep working away at that keyboard!
Author's Response: You're the second one I seem to have sucked in with this one, IBT. Welcome! I can't tell you how important reviews like yours are to writers like me. I really, really appreciate you taking the time to drop me such a kind line. I'm working on one (maybe two) new ones right now that I hope to share with all of you soon. I'm looking forward to hearing from you when I do.
Date: February 16, 2009 10:50 am Title: Definition
"He's kissing her like he's got to take extra, save some for later, and stop doing it immediately." I loved that line.
very very nice story. and very hot might I add. But really sweet and gentile and realistic too. I loved it.
Author's Response: I'm pretty fond of that line myself, fashion. It's amazing what we can come up with when we're a little sleep-deprived. Thanks for taking the time to read and review. I always appreciate it.
Date: February 16, 2009 08:50 am Title: Definition
This was amazing. Loved it. The last chapter was great. Seriously amazing. I loved how we got a deeper look into Jim and Pam seperate, and together. Awesome job!
Author's Response: Again, so flattering. I appreciate you taking the time to read and review.
Date: February 16, 2009 08:40 am Title: Pronunciation
I loved this chapter. It seemed very Jim and Pam to me, and I am now addicted to this story. Thanks for sharing!
Author's Response: Very kind of you. Thanks.
Date: February 16, 2009 08:36 am Title: Etymology
I loved this. A lot. I could have sworn I'd read it before, but apparently I didn't. So, here goes. I loved that you didn't show them feeling totally comfortable with the idea of being with each other, at least not right away. I like that there's hints of Jim and Pam in the Office, but relationship out of the office Jim and Pam are so much different, and I love that you've explored that. Thanks for sharing!
Author's Response: Hm... I wonder if there's a similar fic out there? If you come across it, let me know. Thanks for the compliments on my characterization - it's so important to me - and thanks for reading and reviewing. Cheers.
Date: February 15, 2009 06:28 pm Title: Definition
Wow. I could literally copy and paste the entire story to point out what I love. As always, you have a way of capturing the characters, tension, heat, and love so well. Amazing. Beautiful. Perfect.
Being completely truthful, this is the best first date/ first time fic I’ve ever read. I didn’t think if was possible to top Week’s End and Week Days, but you’ve done it. What you have written here is quite different from the scenario I had originally concocted in my head—but your version is sooo much better and rings much truer! I adore nervous and overly-excited Jim! Really, what makes this (as well as everything you have written) so deliciously hot is that it is believable and realistic without getting too clinical. I also am incredibly fond of the way you intertwined their conversations about their past and their feelings for one another in a sweet, honest, and drama-free fashion.
Two questions. I adored reading this from Pam’s perspective and I was wondering if you have considered writing a companion piece to this where we get to read it from Jim’s? Also, I’m curious about one of the details of this wonderful world you’ve created. You mention that Tuesday was the last time Jim was with Karen; where does the beach getaway fall in your timeline?
Thank you for writing and sharing your talents with us here!
Author's Response: Ah, the old "copy/paste" problem! I love it when that happens to me when I'm reading. I was avoiding being clinical and overly dramatic like the plague (you should have seen some of the earlier drafts...), and I'm glad you think I've succeeded. I was thinking about re-writing this from Jim's perspective, but I'm not quite sure how to do it without re-hashing too many details. I'll have to consider it. As for your second question, Beach Games falls in my version of events in the same place that it does in the canon. In the original draft of this story that I sent to my betas, Jim's answer to Pam's question was that he slept with Karen the night before the events of The Job took place. There was some disagreement on the plausibility of that, so I pushed it back a day. In short, I don't think there was any way that Captain Denial didn't continue to sleep with Karen, even after what happened at the beach. You're always so kind, dearie. Thanks for your review.
Date: February 15, 2009 01:28 pm Title: Definition
I've been looking forward to reading this but my crazy weekend has prevented it until now. What a lovely cap to my weekend. This is just really amazing. I don't have any eloquent words to describe how much I loved this. So I'll just say. thank you so much for sharing the lovely story with us. Such a great treat.
Author's Response: Thanks so much for your kind words. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Date: February 15, 2009 03:02 am Title: Definition
This is the first time I've bothered to review a fic on this site. That should tell you how much I enjoyed it.
As others have said, I loved the awkwardness. It was so 'them'. It was the most believable recount of the 'first time' that I've read in a fic yet. Well done.
I've kept this brief because I'm now off to read the rest of your fics. ;)
Author's Response: Well, welcome, morningbell! So flattered that I'm the one who finally inspired you to speak up. I can't tell you how much reviews like yours mean to the people who write here. Thanks for taking the time to drop me such a generous line. I really appreciate it. Happy reading and reviewing!
Date: February 13, 2009 06:14 pm Title: Definition
::removes crown, bows to Queen Talkative:: The crown is yours, m'lady. I have to say, though, that this is neither skeevy nor pervy. Missed your Thursday night post, so I had the pleasure of reading this before work today and then letting it marinate in my head. Believe me when I tell you sincerely that, for me, this is the most satisfying first-time fic I've had the pleasure reading. It's real, romantic and passionate. It's awkward and intense. I've mentioned on a few occasions that I've tried to wrap my head around the concept of finally becoming intimate with someone that you've longed for since time out of mind. You've really captured that here. Of course the beginning of their physical relationship wouldn't be perfect. There's so much to learn. And, really, how could Jim not be over-excited?! This is the love of his life. Not too much pressure there, eh?! The way you had them work through their mutual awkwardness was simply beautiful. You touched on all the realities and mechanics that I have been willing to ignore when enjoying a good fic. "This is ours, okay?" So much heart in such a small and beautifully perfect sentence. It really sums it all up. Gorgeous, my friend. Thanks so much for sharing this.
Author's Response: :: polishes crown :: Hey, Tink - I can't remember if I've "said" this to you already, but, as I was writing this, I kept thinking of it as smut without being smut, all cake, no frosting. I wanted their physical interaction to be just as important to the action of the story as what they were saying and thinking. In short, I'm pleased you don't think this skeevy or pervy, even though I felt I was both at different points as I wrote this. :) I think you are one of our most enthusiastic and regular readers here, so I'm flattered to hear that this is one of your favorite first-time fics. Whenever I think of the start of their romantic relationship, the first thing that comes to mind for me is how terrifically awkward it must have been. So I tried to write 9,000 words of awkward. Again, so pleased that you liked it. Soon, I'm sure.
Date: February 13, 2009 05:35 pm Title: Definition
Thank you, thank you, thank you for taking the time to share this lovely story with us, Talkative. You truly do your namesake proud.
Not one word is out of place here. The gravity of the moment, the nervousness just leapt off the screen while I was reading. I was nervous too, for goodness sake! As one of our other authors wrote, "It's been building up for years". No wonder they're fumbling their way along like a couple of noobs. It's so heartfelt though and sweet. And very, very sexy.
I love the little confessions throughout, how long they've thought about having sex with each other, who they've been with, the teasing banter to take the edge off.
And like the great authors, you bring this story and its title full circle with, of all things, a crossword puzzle. And the word "weird". Excellent.
I'll bet when they went back to work Monday that Jim was checking out Scranton area jewelry stores on his computer instead of making sales calls. Hee.
Once again, thank you.
Author's Response: It's always good to hear from you, Everybody Hurts. Hope I didn't make you get hand-sweat on your keyboard. :) You make a very good point at the end of your review - the only thing we know for sure about the first week of their romantic relationship is that Jim bought a ring at the end of it. It's a wonderful piece of information to have, because whatever inspired such a grand gesture surely must have been incredible, right? Gives writers like me an excuse to find dozens of different ways to describe pure joy. Thanks for reading and reviewing.
Date: February 13, 2009 04:49 pm Title: Definition
oh, how I love thee (:
Author's Response: So sweet, Mixedbreedgirl. Thank you.
Date: February 13, 2009 04:49 pm Title: Definition
oh, how I love thee (:
Date: February 13, 2009 03:25 pm Title: Definition
Oh, my God. This is beautiful. I can't remember the last time I read something that captured two people so beautifully and perfectly. It's so unlike a lot of other stuff on here, because it's real and plausible and it seems so them, you know? Awesome. You are talented talented talented, and I'm really looking forward to reading the rest of your work!
Author's Response: BigTuna, thanks so much for your generous review. Callisto (one of the best writers we've got here) recently wrote to me that characterization is the most important thing to her when she writes fic, as it's the whole reason to be doing this, really. I agree wholeheartedly, so I'm touched that you think I've gotten Jim and Pam right. Cheers.
Date: February 13, 2009 12:54 pm Title: Etymology
i absolutely loved this. of all the first-time stories i've read, this one is by far the most believable and realistic.
and when the author stays true to the characters, it's so much more rewarding to read.
job well done!
Author's Response: I'm flattered, uglyscientist. Thanks so much for taking the time to read and review.
Date: February 13, 2009 12:47 pm Title: Etymology
No words. I'm speechless.
What I like about this fic is that you don't have them mind-blowing sex in which they have 673 simultaneous orgasms or Jim is able to hold his cum for 4 hours or Pam is at ease. I like that it's extremely believable, really in character. I like that they don't do missionary stuff. Non-missionary stuff hasn't really been explored in fic much, so I appreciate your effort at writing something new, risky and yet succeeding at it. Excelling, actually.
And I like the details, but the fact that you still leave a bit of room for our imagination. Eveything is so balanced. The balance between fluff and smut, the balance between what is kinky and what is conventional. I love it.
And please, don't ever stop writing. :D
Author's Response: Thanks so much for your review, Sea Legs. I wanted to write something that would be awkward and honest in a way that I thought would be believably in character. I'm pleased that you think I succeeded. Cheers.
Date: February 13, 2009 06:18 am Title: Definition
I was really looking forward to this and it did not disappoint. They are so believably awkward, yet there is their underlying current of confidence that everything will be all right now that they've managed this level of honesty. Tons of great lines, but three of my favorite details:
"I have no idea how to do this."
Perfect.
And the fact that Jim has a hard cover copy of "Half Blood Prince"...
The comfortable intimacy of them in the final scene on the bed, talking, doing the crossword puzzle - I felt so right.
Author's Response: I assumed that the Harry Potter enthusiasm in "Money" had to come from somewhere. Here's my dorky reason for putting that on his nightstand - the final book in the series came out about a month after the events of The Job took place, so Jim is re-reading before he picks up Deathly Hallows. He likes to pretend he's not a big nerd, but we all know better, right? I'm glad you liked that line, as well - I was rather pleased with it. Thanks for reading and reviewing, jazzfan. Cheers.
Date: February 13, 2009 06:03 am Title: Definition
I love this. That's the simpliest thing to say about it. The tentativeness. and yeah the awkward. You've done an amazing job capturing how things progressed between them and now - well - this story is what I'm going to imagine when I imagine...well you know. :)
In my halcyon days post S2 I wrote a similar scenario (many actually), not as in depth but I attempted to capture her shyness and his nervousness but I don't think I quite got it right. But I think you did - so yay you.
This was really so lovely. Thank you.
Author's Response: eep! A mod! :-D Hi xoxoxo... thanks for taking the time to review. Are you telling me that you sit around imagining Jim and Pam... well, you know? That's just sick! I've never heard of such a thing! I would certainly never do that... um, without being the kind of weirdo who then proceeds to write it down. Joking aside, thanks so much for taking the time to read and review. And, tragically, I was one of the lame-os who didn't take the time to write in the mod card, but I just want to thank you for all of the work you guys do here. It's so nice to have a community like this to share my writing with. Cheers.
Date: February 13, 2009 01:22 am Title: Definition
I could echo everyone's thoughts, but I'm tired, and I've read this so many times tonight. You are so great at writing these two. I could copy and paste so much into this review that was written so well .. it was just beautiful.
And just sexy. There's a lot of smut out there, and even the good stuff isn't always "sexy." These chapters were sexy. Definitely.
This review is totally hollow because it's three in the morning, and it's the last thing I'm doing before I head to bed. But, seriously, great job. Sometime soon I plan to make my way through your stories and just read 'em all. Great, great job!
Author's Response: Yanana - repeat readers always flatter me, so thank you. And sexy? :: blushes :: Glad you think so. It's probably what I was aiming for. Happy reading, dearie.
Date: February 12, 2009 11:56 pm Title: Definition
"I love that skirt. So much." He seems to be looking for a place to hide, so he takes refuge in her neck while sliding one hand between her bottom and the bed.
She opens her mouth and blushes. "Are you telling me -?"
"Yes, Pam. I'm sorry. I've been looking at your ass for about five years now, in flagrant violation of all of my sexual harassment training."
From the very first chapter you've hit the right note with this...and the above is just an example of how strong I thought this finish was. Kudos to you AND your smart, funny betas. I felt like there was such an honesty in this piece...every emotional twitch felt right. And this last chapter was dead sexy.
Right on, Talkative.
Author's Response: You know, lovefool, I went back and forth about that particular exchange, in that I was worried it was a little too much. Neither of my betas called me out on it, so I left it. I'm glad I did. :) Thanks so much for taking the time to read and review. Always good to hear from you.
Date: February 12, 2009 10:45 pm Title: Definition
LOVE.
Author's Response: Thank you!
Date: February 12, 2009 10:41 pm Title: Definition
Okay I loved this and have been clicking refresh on mtt since I finished the first chapter. You wrote really hot awkwardness and I loved that they had the same fantasy. I'll come back later and leave proper comments...
Oh and I totally paused after I finished this, drew out eleven little boxes to figure out the word and then felt like an idiot... :-)
Ah I heart this fic and I think I will just go back now and read it start to finish...
Author's Response: Hi Tizzy - don't feel like an idiot. Thanks for playing my little game. :) Hot and awkward is fun, isn't it? Thanks so much for your sweet review. I'm glad you liked it.