Date: April 18, 2019 05:37 pm Title: Just Not Yet
Ugh, when Karen starts blurring the lines of their casual 'not in the office' romance -- I mean, on one hand, how dare she? I hate it. On the other hand... I get it. I totally get it. You're doing such a great job of showing everyone's internal conflicts as real and heartbreaking and painful and its still all so good!
I also totally get Pam's sudden preference for horror movies over all others.. that's such a great telling moment.
Karen inviting everyone to the bar is GENIUS! Oh this is going to be good.
Yep, it's good. I love some drunk Pam and this is fantastic. What a horribly terrible awkward happy hour, but I'm here for it. I'm especially here for darkened hallway secret conversations and Pam telling Jim she's glad he's back.
I really love how you're telling this story! I love the mix of new combined with what happened on the show and I love that while I think I know you're going with this, I have no idea which route you're taking to get there. :)
Date: April 17, 2019 08:07 pm Title: More (Than That)
No! No! No! Not Karen and Jim in the break room!
Let me know when chapter seven is up...I’ll be sitting heartbroken in the corner until this all works out...
Date: April 16, 2019 10:20 am Title: Not Your Ho No Mo'
Yeah so that's pretty angsty. Considering what Pam, probably, just walked into there, it's just going to become more so.
Great writing as always. You really do capture Jim and Pam being stuck in their own heads very well.
Author's Response: Yeahhhhhhh. It gets a little messy, but the confrontation will happen a bit sooner than it did in the show, so that’s progress, right? Thank you so much for the compliment and for reading, warrior.
1 [Report This]Date: April 15, 2019 06:47 pm Title: More (Than That)
OMG!! yeah that's a small cliffhanger!
Author's Response: Teenie tiny haha! Thank you for reading, Sprinkles!
Date: April 10, 2019 08:50 pm Title: More (Than That)
What an ending to this chapter! I can’t wait to see if they both decide to tell the truth or if they chicken out! Nice work!
Author's Response: thank you so much!!
1 [Report This]Date: April 07, 2019 07:30 pm Title: Just Not Yet
Cliffhanger!
I am interested what having Jim and Karen be explicitly casual (not publicly but explicitly between them) does to the dynamic. You've done a good job with it.
Author's Response: Thanks Comfect!
1 [Report This]Date: April 07, 2019 05:25 pm Title: Just Not Yet
I audibly gasped when Karen invited everyone for drinks. I wish I could tell which direction you are taking Karen, but I really kind of like trying to figure out what her motivation is and how much of a threat is she REALLY.
I love where this is going! So glad Pam took that moment in the hallway (great moment between those two btw) to be honest with Jim for once.
Great work!!
Author's Response: To be honest, I'm not entirely sue what direction I'm taking Karen most day (haha), which might be the reason why you can't get a good read on her. I'm glad you like where it's headed. Hopefully, I won't disappoint!
1 [Report This]Date: April 07, 2019 04:40 pm Title: Just Not Yet
Okay so we're heading into AU land now looks like. Interesting chapter here. Some key lines here that I think are at the heart of Jim and Pam. First where Jim is thinking he has to crawl before he can walk when it come to Pam. Thus sending Andy after her. It's almost as if he's testing the waters here. He's still scared of what might happen, for several good reasons mind you, but hopefully her smiles at him showed that the waters might be rough, but not un-navigable.
Pam seeing the prank as a peace offering was her line. Even if Jim might not have directly meant it that way, it at least gave her some room for hope to filter in as well. She too is scared, what with Karen and all, makes sense. But the Andy prank did at least get one thing right in that they're talking to each other now.
Then we've got their conversation at the bar. Hopefully that's setting a trend that they can build on. Considering how you've got things set up, starting slow like this, building new good times and trust is going to take awhile. Hopefully they're realize there's something worthwhile beyond their fear.
Author's Response: It'll take time and there will be stumbling blocks, but hopefully, you'll start to see the slow build. Thank you so much for the feedback, warrior!
Date: April 04, 2019 07:32 pm Title: Where We Stand
Oh CD, you're just cruel. I love it, but there are some cruel moments in this chapter.
Like Jim drunk texting Karen. And Pam's super adorable excitement over Jim coming back contrasting against his absolute dismay over going back. And then Jim's reaction to Roy and Pam laughing at her desk. All of these things are tiny daggers in my Jam loving heart.
And then Jim and Karen deciding to be a casual thing? Sigh. I know, I know it has to happen but that doesn't mean I like it!
Ugh, you're so good at adding 'more' to what we saw on tv and I love it... I can't wait to see what happens next!
Author's Response: I wasn't going to make him throw up...never even thought about it, but then my imagination ran away with me and before i knew it, he was in the bathroom and i was like 'oooooh kay. That happened.' I left it because it just seemed like the best manifestation of everything he's been feeling for MONTHS...like that finally broke him. Idk. And the Jim and Karen thing? Listen...I was tempted not to have her in this at all because I have mixed feelings when it comes to the triangle between the three, but I felt she needed to be there. I didn't want them in a committed relationship, so I figured something casual would work better for what I have in mind. Thanks for reading it Coley, and as always, sharing your thoughts!
Date: April 01, 2019 07:48 pm Title: Where We Stand
This is going to be the slow burn kind of angst that for whatever reason gives me life, isn’t it?! I sure hope so! Great job with the inner thoughts in this chapter!
Author's Response: slow burn angst? yes. gives you life? i REALLY hope so!! I love writing angst, so yeah...there's going to be a healthy dose of it in this fic haha thanks for reading and for the comment!
Date: April 01, 2019 05:33 am Title: Where We Stand
They're picking up on some of the right things, but their over-analytical are coming to all the wrong conclusions. Like when Jim is talking to Karen at lunch, yes honesty is good, just be like that with Pam and things will be better. One just wants to smack him upside the head for that scene. Great writing to bring it out. Granted there's a lot of fear there still.
You did a great job of looking into the internal thoughts that must have been going through their heads. Part of me was kind of hoping that Jim would use that bit of hope when Pam hugged him and run with it. Looks like they both still have some growing to do.
Author's Response: exactly. I spent most of season three of the show wanting to smack them both, so I'm glad I'm not alone in that haha!
Date: March 24, 2019 06:58 pm Title: Crazy In Love
"Had he experienced any of this at any point? Did he miss her at all? Were there times that he missed her so much that it was hard to breathe?" Oh wow. This is so heartbreaking... poor Pam!
And the moment at Diwali where she considers Michael's proposal brave -- ugh, this is so good on so many levels and I never really thought of it until now, but it makes sense that Pam would be envious of Michael's impulsiveness in this moment. So great!
But hey. Listen. CD. What did drunk Jim type into his phone?? Did he send it?? Who did he send it to??
I cannot wait to see what happens next!
Author's Response: Coley, it's weird how you can watch an episode dozens of times and it's not until like the 20th time that you see something different, or through a different lens. Maybe it's because I am writing fic for JAM now that made me see that scene in a completely different way, but I kinda like it and also lends itself to Pam's growth through season three. Anyway, thank you so much for reading it and for your wonderful feedback! Next chapter has a lot of familiar dialogue, but definitely steers off toward AU land.
1 [Report This]Date: March 23, 2019 11:51 am Title: It Felt Far
Uuuggghhh! You captured those scenes so perfectly. And Jim’s multiple attempts to call her were so pitiful and desperate but I loved every one of them.
One thing I particularly enjoyed from this chapter is how you showed Jim discovering Pam’s engagement being broken. So many fanfics take the approach that multiple people from the office sought out Jim to tell him. That’s great but I really enjoy how here you took the opposite approach and made it more subtle, filtered into a mundane conversation with Toby. Really well done.
Author's Response: I feel like it would be MORE heartbreaking to have him find out completely by accident...that NO one bothered to call and tell him. It was just fortunate that he overheard the Toby/Pam convo. I'm really glad you enjoyed that take. Thank you for reading it!!
1 [Report This]Date: March 23, 2019 10:39 am Title: More (Than That)
Hey, hi this is sooooo good. I mean we start with this “last several months had taken a toll on him, amplified exponentially the moment Roy and Pam announced a date for their wedding” and it all goes downhill (in the best possible way) fregarding Jim’s angst and just keeps better (for the reader, not Jim’s poor broken heart).
Ooooohhhhh that ending! Loving where this one is going!
Author's Response: thanks DC, both for reading it and for the awesome feedback. I'm a big fan of angst so expect a healthy dosage of it as it continues haha!
1 [Report This]Date: March 21, 2019 12:48 pm Title: Crazy In Love
Cliffhanger! Since we don't know how AU this will be, this is an actual cliffhanger. But I'm definitely enjoying the way your Pam thinks. It's really nice to see you getting inside her head this way.
Author's Response: Yes, I do a lot of internalizing in my fics, so I'm glad you're enjoying it! Thank you so much for reading it!
Date: March 21, 2019 11:41 am Title: Crazy In Love
Great way to bring back to recall Casino Night there at the start. Then Pam's running internal monologue through the Diwalli celebration was great to see too. She's thinking and growing and reflecting which is always great to see.
Author's Response: Thank you so much for the feedback and for reading it!
1 [Report This]Date: March 12, 2019 06:24 pm Title: It Felt Far
Thank you for continuing this. You've got a great way of writing what's going on in their heads. It's clear they're both still hurting. They're also over analyzing things mentally which is causing a lot of fear to take hold. Understandable considering how your version of Casino Night turned out. Clearly they're both afraid of getting more hurt. Great writing to bring all that out.
Author's Response: "Clearly they're both afraid of getting more hurt" ----this. Absolutely this!! That drives a lot of their actions in the coming chapters. They're both running scared because they have these (or so they think) unrequited feelings for one another and in order to bring back some sense of "normalcy", they think they need to try to get rid of them by any means necessary.
Thank you so much for your comments and for sticking with me!
1 [Report This]Date: March 12, 2019 06:24 am Title: It Felt Far
Oh, we go right into the angst here. I love that. Jim repeatedly calling and hanging up on Pam is something I’ve seen a lot of here but now I want to see more... Poor Jim. “She didn’t call. She didn’t come to Stamford. She didn’t confess she loved him or even that she missed him.” Well now I’m kind of mad at Pam too. Such a rollercoaster, this chapter is!
Ugh. The call right before Pam’s date?! They entire scene is so well done and beautifully written and I read it twice just to make sure I didn’t miss anything.
And then we get to The Phone Call. (One of my favorite scenes in the whole series) and you somehow make it 1000 times better by adding “Did you...” and it’s fine, I’m only at my desk screaming “did you what!?” at fictional characters. Normal day over here.
This is So Good. I can’t wait to see what happens next!
Author's Response: yes....the five calls thing was initially going to be a separate one shot all together because I made the mistake of watching "The Convention" while I was writing the first part of this and my angst loving heart nearly exploded when he did the "Hi Pam".
hahaha I love the comment about at screaming at your desk because I, too, sometimes read ff while at work and I know it takes and insane amount of effort not to yell at the actions/ignorance of the characters you love.
I'm so glad you're enjoying it, Coley!!
1 [Report This]Date: March 10, 2019 08:03 pm Title: It Felt Far
Aw man, that "Did you" had such nice potential. Reminds me of the almost-question at the Dundies. Nice job imbuing your fic with the spirit of S2-3 angst. I am glad you decided to go forward, and gladder still you are going AU. Hope to read more soon!
Author's Response: Thank you so much! The "Did you" opens up an entire universe of possibilities and I was DEFINITELY influenced by the Dundies on that one bc I still want to know what she was going to ask!! UGH!! The AU part of it is slowlyyyyyy coming. I gotta get a certain paper salesman back to Scranton first. haha.
Date: February 28, 2019 11:18 pm Title: More (Than That)
To add to what I wrote earlier. First off I apologize if I came off sounding harsh. The ending just hit me hard. You did a great job with all these internal thoughts and feelings. Then Jim and Pam are there on his desk and it looks like things are going somewhere. It's a lot of build up with so much potential and then the story just ends. I think that's what bugged me the most. That for me at least it felt like there was no closure. Is Pam going to follow him out the door? Show up at his house? Like I said all this set up and angst and then it all just stops and the reader is left wondering..."now what?"
I actually was enjoying the story until that part to be honest. Great detail, vivid descriptions, and lots of emotional beats. We all know what happened in canon, but since you went AU, for me it seems to beg the question of what next? Since it's AU it could be anything. Either way the lack of that kind of answer is what triggered my earlier review of this story. Again I apologize if it seemed harsh. You did write this well and it's always great to see new faces and stories on the site.
1 [Report This]Date: February 27, 2019 05:33 pm Title: More (Than That)
So, I read this something like 3 or 4 times today while I was supposed to be working; I thought it was that great. Then again, I'm a sucker for angst when it's written really well and I mean, who doesn't love a great desk make out session?
Seriously, this is heartbreaking in the best of ways, but I love how you went through the episode and filled in some blanks and wrote something so plausible and real and did I mention the making out on the desk scene? More of THAT, please.
Also, this: "Until now. She wasn’t forceful. Oh no. Being forceful with Pam meant backing her into a corner, and when Pam felt like she was backed into a corner, she would completely shut down." If that doesn't describe Pam so perfectly...
I don't know if this was your first JAM fanfic, or just the first one you're posting, but I really hope you share more with us!
Author's Response: Sorry this took me like years to reply to, but yes, this is my first JAM fic. I'm so happy you enjoy angst, because I tend to write a LOT of it haha.
Date: February 26, 2019 05:20 pm Title: More (Than That)
Really?!? That's where you're going to leave it? I'm going to be honest here setting it up like that, with all the internal thoughts for both of them and then to just end it like that is almost sticking a middle finger to your reader. You've got Pam there ready to seriously consider leaving Roy and it just ends. Yeah not my most favorite thing to read.
Author's Response: My intention was to have this be a one-shot surrounding the events of "Casino Night". My takeaway from what we saw in GWH about the rest of their interaction was that once Jim pulled away from her, he left (but that's just my head canon/personal take and definitely is open to some interpretation). So, I wanted the one shot to end like that, with him leaving to help bring it back to canon/lead into S3 of the actual show. I never intended to upset/offend/anger anyone about where it ended. That episode is one of my favorites from the series and I told myself if I ever wrote JAM fic, that my first would be an exploration into the thoughts/feelings of those two during Casino Night. I never intended to veer (dialogue wise) from canon, but when I got to the part when he walked into the office, I was too tempted and just had to take it further. I am working on a follow-up, taking some plot points from S3. I'm sorry you didn't enjoy it, but thank you for reading and for sharing your thoughts.
1 [Report This]Date: February 26, 2019 11:45 am Title: More (Than That)
Nooooooooooooo! You can't do that! So close! You got us so close to a more satisfying AU, and then you yanked it awaaaaay! Arrrrgh!
Really well done. But come on, have a little mercy. Pretty please?
Author's Response: Already working on it, but I'm still using plot lines from the show, more specifically season 3 now. I'm not sure how it will be formatted because the one I'm working on now is a lot shorter than this was (like 3-4k compared to this one which was like 12k words), so it might be really awkward to have a second part that's significantly shorter than the first, but I'll try to figure something out. Thank you so much for taking the time to read and review :)
Date: February 25, 2019 09:07 pm Title: More (Than That)
Oh, the angst! I really liked the way you let Pam give in to what she had been feeling. Since you already went off canon, the story could continue! Does she chase him down? Go to his apartment? The possibilities!
Author's Response: I actually am working on a follow-up, but I'm not sure if I'll place it in this universe or do something else with it. The length is a lot shorter than this was and so it might be awkward to have a 3-4K word second chapter to a first chapter that was about 12k words (oops). There are definitely some canon elements involved from S3, but it definitely goes more off canon than this was. And I live for angst in both my writing and my reading, sooooo...it's there haha. Thank you for reading it and for the review!
1 [Report This]Date: February 25, 2019 07:50 pm Title: More (Than That)
Well, that was somehow even more tragic than the original. Nicely escalated, angst-wise.
Author's Response: Thank you so much for taking the time to read it and for the review. It was meant to be a one and done look at the end of that episode, but then I started watching season three and now I'm working on a potential follow-up to this.