10 [Report This]Date: March 26, 2010 08:10 am Title: Chapter 7
I do hope you write Jim's expression when he sees Pam. Another wonderful chapter, Mel. Can't wait for more!
Date: March 25, 2010 10:37 pm Title: Chapter 7
Your difficulty with Michael and Dwight didn't show at all. You're great with these characterizations, and the others, too. Continuing to love love love this story and your version of angst for season three. I can't wait for the second part of this episode.
Author's Response: Thank you very much again for your review!! Your reviews are such a boost, not only for what you say but the fact that I really enjoy your writing so much as it is!
Date: March 25, 2010 08:54 pm Title: Chapter 7
I thought you did an excellent job with Dwight and Michael. Also, it's either your good descriptive writing or my obsession, or both, that made me see exactly what face you are describing here: "Her attention falls quickly across to Jim, horror expressed eloquently through wide hazel eyes, and he obliges her with his signature stare of amusement-meets-surprise" I know that look exactly. Can't wait for the party to see the storm hit that you've got brewing here.
Author's Response: Thank you so much for your reviews, jazzfan! And as for Jim and his Jim Faces, there is so much he is capable of expressing in just one look, and it's hard to be descriptive enough to make sure a reader knows EXACTLY what he's saying with his expressions.
10 [Report This]Date: March 25, 2010 08:35 pm Title: Chapter 7
This keeps on getting better and better. I am so excited to see what happens next!
10 [Report This]Date: March 25, 2010 05:13 pm Title: Chapter 7
What a fantastic chapter! I can't wait to see the rest of cocktail night! And btw, Michael and Dwight were spot on, plus I loved Roy's reaction - but they're just so wrong for each other, he just liked looking at her... bad man.
Author's Response: Thank you, PMH! I really do like Roy, I can understand why Pam liked him in the first place, but they really did not work out for one another. But you can't blame him; who WOULDN'T just like looking at Pam when she's all gussied up? ;)
9 [Report This]Date: March 25, 2010 01:19 pm Title: Chapter 7
First off, let me say that seeing that this was updated merited my closing my office door so that I could read uninterrupted and without constantly looking over my shoulder ; )
Oh, I sure am liking this set up! I never would have guessed that you would have Pam accompany Michael. Great idea! Being a sucker for visuals, I love seeing what the dress looks like. Even before I read your notes, I thought your Michael and Dwight were perfect. Pam's comment about Jan hating her brings to mind the kitchen conversation in Dinner Party. I'm so excited!
Author's Response: Haha, I've been there, so how flattering to hear that someone ELSE does the same thing but to my fic! ;)
I loved the idea of throwing Pam into the party, and I'm glad you picked up on my reference to Dinner Party and Jan's dislike for Pam! As always, you're a fabulous reviewer, thank you so much Nan!!
10 [Report This]Date: March 25, 2010 06:29 am Title: Chapter 6
Mel, I'm sorry I don't review as much as I want to, as I only have limited access, but this story is just wonderful! I enjoy every update, but wish they would come more often. The characters are spot on. Amazing job!
Date: March 24, 2010 04:29 pm Title: Chapter 6
Mel - this was definately not a filler - it certainly needed to be done! I love their banter too - and once again, you've captured it perfectly. Ok, Spring Break is half over; so we should be seeing next chapter soon, right? So, get back to work! I'm worse than your teachers, aren't I? :):)
Date: March 24, 2010 04:00 am Title: Chapter 1
Another wonderful chapter. You've got such a great bantery dynamic going between Jim and Pam. Can't wait for the next chapter!
Author's Response: Banter is one of the funnest things to write, honestly. ESPECIALLY between two characters who have such great senses of humor. Thank you for reviewing, I hope I don't disappoint!
10 [Report This]Date: March 23, 2010 05:24 pm Title: Chapter 6
Lovely chapter, this will-they-won't-they admit their feelings stuff is so frustrating! I just want them to start having babies! (Ooops, did I really just say that? I think I did...) Well, keep going, and I can't wait to see how this progresses. I just loved the Cocktails episode, so I'm looking forwards to chapter 7!
Author's Response: Jim and Pam!? Having BABIES!? Please, like that will ever happen. ;D
10 [Report This]Date: March 23, 2010 05:19 pm Title: Chapter 6
I get so excited when I see you have updated this. This has definitely turned in to one of my favourites :)
I love the way yuo captured their day spent together, yo could really feel how they were both feeling.
You write them both so beautifully.
I cannot wait for more!!!!
Author's Response: Awww, Hannah, you make me feel all warm and fluffy inside with your reviews! :D Thank you for being so awesome and eager, and I'm so glad that you're enjoying this thing!
Date: March 23, 2010 02:46 pm Title: Chapter 6
What a great job describing the attraction and hesitation between these two!
Author's Response: Thank you! I'm really trying to walk that line between over-doing it between them and making it poignant enough. I hope that it's working out that way, haha!
10 [Report This]Date: March 23, 2010 12:32 pm Title: Chapter 6
Oh you shouldn't call this a filler chapter like it's a bad thing! Don't sell yourself short! I loved this chapter, just having a chance to sit down to read the whole story today. The whole thing is a great read, great 'what if' from that line from Phyllis' Wedding that makes me want to smack Jim (like he couldn't TELL from the longing glance Pam gave him while he danced with Karen? ugh season 3 and me have a love/hate relationship.) Anyway back to your fic, the frustration and angst are perfect all the way through, and in this chapter I love the banter, and I adore confused Jim. This is really good, looking forward to the rest of the story!
Date: March 23, 2010 07:58 am Title: Chapter 6
I loooove the role reversal here, with Jim the one playing with fire and Pam in quiet pursuit. Love this non-date!
Author's Response: I'm having fun with the role reversal, honestly. And one of my favorite parts is that since both are kind of set in their ways - Jim is used to trying to go forward and Pam typically tip-toes the line between friendship and romance - that it makes the role reversal that much more confusing for them. Pam is used to holding back, so she's got to consciously make strides to get closer to him. Jim is used to trying to reach Pam, but now he's thinking about Karen and the consequences of thinking Pam likes him - will he be hurt again by Pam? How badly would that hurt Karen?
Ah, I love these two. So full of misery and complication. I miss season 3. :(
Date: March 23, 2010 06:44 am Title: Chapter 6
Mel, in a perfect world, I would love to start every day by reading a chap of this story. Your portrayal of Jim and Pam as "just friends" is very realistic, just the right touch of discomfort. It's nice to see Pam have the guts, in her own hesitant way, to ask Jim why he didn't accompany Karen to see her family. "It's not really the time, y'know? I don't think we're really at 'parents' yet." Perfect explanation, vague yet conveying so much. Thank you for not resorting to cutesy by mentioning Steve Carell. I appreciate that.
Can't wait for more!
Author's Response: Nan, you are the most flattering reviewer! My goodness, thank you. <3 I'm trying not to go overboard with the "will they, won't they?" And I figured Jim wouldn't have gone because, sheesh, the guy didn't even want Karen to live on the same BLOCK as him. :P
I won't lie, I briefly thought about it, but I figure these movies can exist in their world without complication or movie star confusion. I got enough kick just mentioning The 40 Year Old Virgin, so.
Date: March 23, 2010 06:22 am Title: Chapter 6
Argh. I want to shake Jim by the shoulders and tell him to text Karen that it's over. Guess that's not gonna happen really soon, is it? Another great chapter - loved the banter. Please update soon because I'm dying to read your take on Cocktails.
Author's Response: Not too soon, but fear not! This fic does end with the same results as the show. ;) Figuring out how to tie everything together nicely is proving to be difficult, but it's gonna happen.
Yay, I was really happy with my banter! Jim just seems like the kind of guy who wouldn't think Paul Rudd is all that (even though I personally think they're kind of similar) and since I love Paul Rudd, Pam loves Paul Rudd.
I'm dying to WRITE my take on Cocktails. I got the full idea for it a couple days ago, now I'm just thinking of the best way to flesh it out. It's coming, though!
10 [Report This]Date: March 18, 2010 08:37 am Title: Chapter 5
OK, I just FLEW through these five chapters and now I'm just heartbroken that there isn't more...it is lovely. I love how one small change could really have changed everything (and, ultimately, nothing, because they both had to take their journeys to the same place). Your phrasing and pacing are really nice, and I particularly like your internal voice for Pam. This is a wonderful piece.
Author's Response: It's true; one change in a single event could shift everything into a different pacing, which is what I'm hoping to see in this fic. But at the same time, like you said, it changes nothing REALLY, because it is all leading up to the same place - they're just taking a different route here. Thank you so much for reviewing! And I'll try to get the next update up by the end of the week!
Date: March 17, 2010 07:27 pm Title: Chapter 1
You are doing such an amazing job .. at killing me slowly. I love that Pam has already made her confession and instead of that fixing everything instantly like other fics, you're slowly giving her a little edge with each chapter. She's a little bit more forward in each one. It's great, and your characterizations feel like they're lifted from the script. Can't wait for the next chapter!
Author's Response: Ooops! Killing you was not my intention! The fanfic world needs you, Jim and Pam need you! ;D Thank you very much, I'm pleased with how things are going so far in the story. I don't want to force them into happening; the show was agonizing and made us wait, so I figure I can hop on that wagon, too. Thanks again for your feedback, it's much appreciated!!
10 [Report This]Date: March 16, 2010 05:48 am Title: Chapter 5
Mel, I've had the wind knocked out of me. This was *sigh* so full of emotion. Your characterizations were heartbreaking and brilliant. There's nothing I can say right now that would do this justice. I didn't even miss Oscar and Gil; there was enough pain without them. This is one of those stories that I could read forever. Outstanding.
P.S. Congrats on the exam! Yay, you!
Author's Response: Thank you so much, Nan. You're such a great reviewer! And I'm so glad that what I wanted to convey did come across as very emotional. You can only express so much and hope the reader "gets it." And you're right; Oscar and Gil and their verbal beatdown of Pam's artwork would've felt like hearts being ripped out of chests or something. Too much too soon, but I'll definitely reference what they said later. ;) (P.S. Thank you! Yays indeed!)
10 [Report This]Date: March 16, 2010 03:16 am Title: Chapter 5
Oooooooooh 100%, go you *gives you a gold star*
This was so good. I love the awkwardness between Jim and Pam - he soo wanted to be there, the way he was looking at her work... I could see it so clearly in my head.
Excellent chapter. Can't wait for more.
Author's Response: Thaaaaaank you!! :D *gladly accepts said star!* And thanks for reviewing, too! Writing Jim's reaction to her work was probably the best part of this chapter for me, 'cause I could see it too. He really does think she's the freakin' bee's knees, doesn't he? (And who could blame him, really?)
Date: March 15, 2010 07:51 pm Title: Chapter 5
Oh, she should have asked him to go have a cup of coffee or something, because I wanted to see him squirm just a little bit more with the thought of Karen back home. :) Such a nice, angsty chapter; looking forward to the next one!
Author's Response: Haha, thanks for reviewing again! And don't worry, there is stuff like what you envisioned on the horizon. ;)
Date: March 15, 2010 05:43 pm Title: Chapter 5
I love how you're creating a complicated parallel story line to the actual show. It's very interesting. Can't wait to see how this plays out.
Author's Response: It's really fun to work with what the show gave us and kind of ... I don't know, sketch around it. I'm a stickler for canon, so perhaps that's why I'm so drawn to this type of thing. Thank you so much for reviewing, I'm glad you're enjoying! :D
Date: March 15, 2010 10:55 am Title: Chapter 1
I don't read much fanfic lately, but the pull of S3 angst is strong with me. I truly am enjoying this piece -- you really capture Jim and Pam so well. I like little things like this:
Pam appreciates his indirectness. She always has.
This was so true of them back then, wasn't it?
Great job so far! Keep it up!
Author's Response: Sometimes it almost seemed like their friednship would have broken a loooong time ago, had Jim not supplied the much needed (as percieved by Pam) indirectness and hedging around topics. Kind of frustrating to watch, but damn was it good TV. ;)
Thanks so much for reviewing!!
Date: March 13, 2010 10:04 pm Title: Chapter 1
Oh wow, I really enjoyed this. I love the way you've spread the angst out across four longish chapters without having it go stale. I can't wait for the happy end chapter but at the same time I want it to keep going! Very much looking forward to the next chapter.
I'm new to Office fic so have had it easy, reading all the completed chapter stories from the past few years. This is the first time I've had to wait for the next chapter to be written. So I'm extra excited about chapter 5. :)
Author's Response: Don't you hate it when angst goes stale? Sometimes I worry about going overboard, because there's only so much even *I* can take. I don't want Jim/Pam to come across like Angel/Buffy or some other desperate star-crossed romance like that. So I'm pleased that it doesn't seem that way!
I am also relatively new to the Office fiction world, and now that I'm starting to find pieces that aren't updated frequently, it hurts my heart a little. But I'll try to get my next chapter out ASAP. Thanks again for reviewing! :)
10 [Report This]Date: March 13, 2010 02:12 pm Title: Chapter 4
Hey Mel - I so understand the need to use the bones of the show, but incorporate what you want to have happened - I feel that way too, but sadly, I don't have the skills to put into writing. I'm just glad that there are those out there that do have those skills, like yourself. You are quickly becoming one of my favorite authors - please keep posting - love how you're so good at updating quickly.
Author's Response: Wow, thank you so much, kam! I hope I'm doing the show and the story justice, because the storyline with Jim and Pam is so beautiful, and I only wanna ... tweak it a little, move it in a different direction for consideration's sake, you know? I'll try to live up to that "updating quickly" thing with another chapter by the end of this week.