Date: November 25, 2007 02:58 pm Title: Like Hate
The last paragraph lays out exactly what I always thought Jim was feeling, but could never put into words -- and you described that emotion beautifully. You did a great job with Karen's character, too!
Date: November 22, 2006 10:30 pm Title: Like Hate
Awww. That was great!
10 [Report This]Date: October 10, 2006 03:57 pm Title: Like Hate
Wow, this was great.
8 [Report This]Date: October 07, 2006 10:14 pm Title: Like Hate
For a moment, I was thinking... how did I miss all of this, but I read it a second time, and I love it. I'm jealous that I, myself didn't write it. Awesome job. The imagery is perfect, the end makes my JAM-loving heart glow. :)
10 [Report This]Date: October 07, 2006 08:23 pm Title: Like Hate
Wow! I'm just floored!
I actually had to reread it a second time, out loud because it really struck a chord. Your writing style is simply amazing, as well as your take on the Jim/Karen relationship. I don't doubt she'll be great, but in the end, it's with Pam he belongs.
I really enjoyed this. That line about a person being flawed was just so remarkable. Honestly, great job :D
8 [Report This]Date: October 07, 2006 09:09 am Title: Like Hate
Oh, so good! The format makes each new point about her stand out in a very effective way. And I love the idea of him moving on and Karen being almost right, but then... not quite.
10 [Report This]Date: October 06, 2006 05:32 pm Title: Like Hate
This was beautiful. I love your style of a few words about Karen and then elaborating in paragraphs that seem to escalate in time and feelings before Jim realizes what he lost and where his heart truly lies.
10 [Report This]Date: October 06, 2006 04:40 pm Title: Like Hate
Oh wow, very well-written. It made me pause and think every couple of paragraphs, which I like. I don't want fics to be too easy to grasp.
10 [Report This]Date: October 06, 2006 04:13 pm Title: Like Hate
Wow. Really, wow. I really like the pattern that you create in this story, and of course I love the ending. Great last sentence, it tells us everything while saying nothing.
10 [Report This]Date: October 06, 2006 12:24 pm Title: Like Hate
All of these morning-after Karen fics are going to break my heart.
Love the line about syrup and burnt plastic.
10 [Report This]Date: October 06, 2006 10:38 am Title: Like Hate
ETA - the typos in your quote are my fault because my stupid browser won't let me cut and paste. Sorry:(
10 [Report This]Date: October 06, 2006 10:37 am Title: Like Hate
I really liked this, and think it is a very realistic take on what could happen to Jim emotionally. And it's so sad, because there is something so tragic about loving someone not quite enough.
"he suddenly remmebers what it's like to love something because it's flawed, because it's flawed and yet still offers happines that is completley, overwhelmingly perfect."
This? Is beautiful.
Did Pam ever wipe mustard off Jim's shirt on the show? If so, I need to review that episode immediately. :)
10 [Report This]Date: October 06, 2006 09:43 am Title: Like Hate
thank you! this made me actually like karen, at least until the next episode. i love the structure you used, it was very effictive. thanks for that ending, i can use it to get through the weeks of karim we seem to be about to get! the jam resolution was even more satisfying because of what led up to it. i just have to keep telling myself that :) great job!
10 [Report This]Date: October 06, 2006 07:23 am Title: Like Hate
I really, really like this. A lot.
This was my favorite part:
<i>And as he glides his hands over an old, stained T-shirt, he suddenly remembers what it’s like to love something because it’s flawed, because it’s flawed and yet still offers happiness that is completely, overwhelmingly perfect.</i>
Beautiful.
One question, though... the last line, "She hates him now"... who hates him? Karen because he's fallen for Pam again? I think that's it because it makes sense with the structure of the story-- the one-liners were what Karen likes and doesn't... but at first I thought you meant Pam as the "she" in the last line... because it's not clear if Jim is still with Karen even though he has feelings for Pam still or not...
Author's Response:
Thank you!
My intent was for the line to be vague. We don't know whether Jim is relating a fact or his interpretation of "her" feelings. I think most would assume it's Karen he's referring to, but it is DEFINITELY open to your interpretation. When I wrote it, I imagined it was Karen, and that one line signified that maybe he broke things off with her. Or maybe he'd already gotten back with Pam. Or neither.
So I guess the real question is, "Who do YOU think it is, and what do you think that means?"
9 [Report This]Date: October 06, 2006 07:23 am Title: Like Hate
Fantastic. I feel like I just got to know Karen much better. Nice progression (and regression)!
10 [Report This]Date: October 06, 2006 07:11 am Title: Like Hate
At first I was really undecided about Karen- but throwing those paperclips in the air last night, I am totally on her side now. I love what you've written here. In a way she's like the anti-Pam, but isn't. This line:
he suddenly remembers what it’s like to love something because it’s flawed, because it’s flawed and yet still offers happiness that is completely, overwhelmingly perfect
So great. I really love your style here as well. Great job!
10 [Report This]Date: October 06, 2006 07:02 am Title: Like Hate
I haven't even seen the episode but I can see this happening. Your structure is absolutely lovely. I don't know if I've ever said it before (maybe at ff.net?) but I just adore your phrasing. Thanks so much for sharing!!
Date: October 06, 2006 06:22 am Title: Like Hate
Thank you for writing something that seems so true about Karen and how Jim could feel that still leads ultimately back to Pam. We don't choose who we love and you've portrayed the pain of that beautifully.
10 [Report This]Date: October 06, 2006 06:20 am Title: Like Hate
This was great! I'm always and forever a JAM fan, and this felt completely right. Really wonderful.
Author's Response: Thanks! Oh, so am I. And I think part of being a JAM fan means believing that they'll be okay even when great people come into their lives.
10 [Report This]Date: October 06, 2006 06:10 am Title: Like Hate
That was very well written proudgirl. I look foward to reading what you write in the future. Two thumbs up!!
Author's Response: Thank you! I hope I have the time to punch out (ugh) more fics in the future.
9 [Report This]Date: October 06, 2006 05:41 am Title: Like Hate
This was so poetic and beautiful. You can see why Jim is happy with Karen (or at least tries), but there is something else that will never fail to pull him back to Pam.
Author's Response: Thank you! I wanted Jim to finally put up a valiant effort this time, because Katy was clearly just a transitional...tool for him. It's interesting because there are definitely people in the world who settle for their Karens, but the guy who loved an engaged coworker for 4 years before spilling all to her...that guy isn't one of them.
10 [Report This]Date: October 06, 2006 05:30 am Title: Like Hate
And as he glides his hands over an old, stained T-shirt, he suddenly remembers what it’s like to love something because it’s flawed, because it’s flawed and yet still offers happiness that is completely, overwhelmingly perfect.
That has got to be one of the best lines ever. I was angsting over this entire situation this morning, thinking how I really could see Jim moving on with Karen and how much that bothered me but that it just made sense and how difficult it's going to be when he goes back and then ... this. And I thank you, because here it is. It's so very true.
Author's Response: Thank you! I'm glad I was able to help you cope with the Jim/Karen situation. Jim doesn't strike me as the kind of guy who could ever settle for doing something that just makes sense. He could probably go a few laps and even enjoy himself in the process (think back to the time between "Valentine's Day" and "Michael's Birthday"), but Jim will always want someone who could inspire the most perfect love from him.
10 [Report This]Date: October 06, 2006 05:25 am Title: Like Hate
I love this. I love that you make Karen wonderful and almost-perfect and Jim really tries, but...you love who you love, and Karen is not the one Jim loves.
How many times can I use the word "love" in one review? Here's one more: I love the style and the structure you use here. It builds and then it falls and then it stops, and it is visually interesting, too. Beautiful work.
Author's Response:
Well, try this on: I LOVE your review.
It's interesting that it wasn't one bit strange for me to transition from writing about Jim/Pam to writing about a happy Jim/Karen. Jim starts out the piece subconsiously comparing her to Pam, and then there are those middle sections where he's not really thinking about her at all, and then BAM!, the second Karen tells him she "likes/loves" him, he's right back there thinking about Pam again.
10 [Report This]Date: October 06, 2006 05:10 am Title: Like Hate
This is so powerful and succinct. You've really captured the 'anti-Pam-ness' of Karen using such simple, efficient terms...just the kind of mundane things Jim would notice and be drawn to after all his endless Pam-angst. Until, of course the inevitable. Beautifully written.
Author's Response: Thank you! I like Karen a lot - I think there is much to be learned here on Jim's part, because she's nothing like Katy, and he's not playing with her heart either. But, unfortunately, we are not blessed with the ability to always love the ones who deserve it.
10 [Report This]Date: October 06, 2006 04:22 am Title: Like Hate
First of all, I remember a previous story of yours - reading it and just being so blown away by the sheer poetry of it that I was actually despondent for a second - as in, Jesus, why do I even try to write? This is amazing.... That is seriously the memory that sticks with me (and it's a compliment, by the way, not a whine!) So when I saw that you'd posted this, I had to immediately find it and read it, and you do not disappoint here. Wow. So perfect - it's amazing that you've filled in the gaping blanks in this character that we've just met in such a way that seems completely plausible and realistic. And the reasons why Jim's attracted to her are also just amazing and heartbreaking. I loved the line, "She likes her." Incredible. And I also loved the effect of the stand alone sentences between paragraphs - just ars poetica at work, I'm telling you.
So thank you for a terrific, inspiring read!
Author's Response:
I don't really know what to say. Really. Thank you SO much for taking the time to read my fics and...paint such a beautiful picture. As you'll find, I'm quite clumsy when it comes to responding to comments - in your case, the best praise one could wish for - but I do want to say that your work is very inspired (always thought your Beyond the Cameras piece was great).
I think it's interesting that you point out that particular line, because I've always thought it could be open to so many different interpretations. It could be entirely true, or wishful thinking on his part, or Karen saying it to him in a less-than-convincing way. "She likes her." Hm.