1 [Report This]Date: May 07, 2020 08:07 pm Title: Break my chest not knowing the measure
You got me with the pump fake on the phone call. I was all 'Noooo you can't say that while drunk Jim!'
I'm really looking forward to seeing how this progresses, keep up the good work.
Author's Response:
Thank you! I'm terrible with jokes and I'm excited when they work out well :)
1 [Report This]Date: May 07, 2020 07:36 pm Title: Break my chest not knowing the measure
Oh no Larissa! I laughed even though my heart was breaking for Jim! Looking forward to the next chapter!
Author's Response: I'm glad this story made you laugh and thank you for reviewing!
1 [Report This]Date: May 07, 2020 07:28 pm Title: Break my chest not knowing the measure
I love that you included their special moment of silently acknowledging the ghost station here with Jim acknowledging what is about to happen, the train slowing to a halt, her being carried away by the crowd, so much lost because:
Jim relied so much on 'maybe,' 'perhaps,' obscure miracles, and lucky chances that he basically did nothing to make them come true. And now it was too late.
I also like that he had the revelation that in some ways, he has failed Pam just like Roy. So many strong feelings.
I would have thrown myself into the pit of despair at the end of this chapter had it not been for the humor in him calling "Pain in the Ass" instead of Pam!
Thanks for saving me and for writing!
Author's Response:
Oh, I'm glad that you had some laugh and I'm sorry that this story almost made you fall into despair :(
I have many feelings about first seasons Jim and I think that he needed a good push to reconsider his feelings and his actions towards Pam. Hope, that would work out well!
1 [Report This]Date: May 07, 2020 07:11 pm Title: Please don't cry
Oh, Pam. Don't settle. Her spiraling thoughts at the end of this chapter are so heartbreaking.
On another note, I loved the imagery that you've created placing them in another country and culture.
Also, love the backstory on Ma Anderson. It gives us a much better understanding of why Roy is the way he is and how out of place Pam already feels in his family...
Looking forward to some hope for Pam!
Thanks for writing!
Author's Response:
Thank you so much for your wonderful comment, H&C! I'm glad that you enjoyed this story.
I was thinking a lot about Pam and Roy's relationship and I came to conclusion, that one of the things, why they were together for so long, was the involvement of the members of both families (the traditions still have a strong influence here, especially in the countryside). So, maybe, they just didn't have another choice than to stick together... did they?
1 [Report This]Date: May 07, 2020 06:46 pm Title: Break my chest not knowing the measure
Oh no!! He called the wrong number!! And he had come lean about his feelings.
Author's Response:
Perhaps, it's for the better that he called the wrong number ;)
Thank you!
1 [Report This]Date: May 07, 2020 05:24 pm Title: Break my chest not knowing the measure
Oh man. That's a misdial all right. At least it's his sister, and not someone he could be romantically linked to...
Author's Response:
Yeah, it would be a disaster if he called Kelly, for example...
Thank you!
1 [Report This]Date: May 03, 2020 09:03 pm Title: Please don't cry
I appreciate the teaser. I think this is a great AU and I love it. Thanks for placing JAM in your chosen context! It's glorious.
Author's Response:
Thank you so much, I'm glad you enjoyed it!
I forgot to put a teaser after the first chapter, but I won't repeat that mistake :)
1 [Report This]Date: May 02, 2020 08:16 pm Title: Please don't cry
I love small town Pam so very much. Feeling too changed for her childhood bedroom, but easily falling back into the routines and chores.
Her relationship with Roy’s mother is too real. There’s something about mothers and their sons - especially youngest sons. It’s not hard to believe that Mrs Anderson doesn’t see her as good enough. No one ever measures up when it comes to beloved younger sons!
Oh Pam. It breaks my heart that Roy is making these huge decisions without her, that the biggest sign that he doesn’t value her.
Her thoughts on Jim and falling out of touch are so real. A lot of friendships fade with distance (some make it through though!)
A couple of random things that I love: I think it’s cool how Europeans call birthdays “anniversaries”. My Dutch relatives will often say “congratulations” instead of “Happy Birthday.”
Is it common for young people to move away for work? We met a friend on the train between Lviv and Kyiv and she works in Dubai. She introduced us to another girl living in Moscow who had also worked in Dubai. It surprised me a little, that they had moved so far for work.
I’m kind of curious to see why Jim is called a moron next chapter!
Author's Response:
Oh, thank you so much for your amazing review! I'm glad you like the idea, and I'm glad that these ideas worked out well!
Yes, young people often seek better jobs and a better life elsewhere. The most common countries for work migration are Poland, Italy, Russia, Czech Republic. However, some of my friends work and live in Sweden, Germany, Singapore, Australia (and I still envy my husband, who had a business trip to San Francisco!). It's hard for me to imagine how it could be to uproot the whole life and move out, but for others, the salary (or the received knowledge) pays the discomfort off.
And the chapter is almost ready, so the answer will be soon :)
1 [Report This]Date: May 01, 2020 10:08 am Title: Please don't cry
I really love this story. I like the feeling it gets because they’re in another country. I’m really looking forward to more .
As for Roy, his idea in general isn’t bad. He’s just being an absolute jerk.
I hope Pam gets some courage to speak up. She seems very shy and subdued by Roy .
Author's Response:
Thank you for your lovely review!
I hope you will like the rest of the story as well :)
1 [Report This]Date: April 30, 2020 09:01 pm Title: Please don't cry
It was a lot easier to follow this chapter, well done.
I hope someone can talk some sense into Pam, not having your voice heard in a relationship is not really a foundation for success.
Looking forward to reading more!
Author's Response:
Thank you!
I guess the first step is to admit you have a problem... and Pam is making (or about to make) it. I'm hopeful about it :)
1 [Report This]Date: April 30, 2020 08:04 pm Title: Not today for sure tomorrow
“He asked himself if there was a song that made Pam love him.”
THAT line broke my heart.
This is written so well! Poor Jim. I can absolutely see him stealing any tiny moment that he can on these rides with Pam. So sweet and heartbreaking all at once.
Author's Response: Thank you so much for your kind words, they mean a lot to me!
Date: April 30, 2020 05:13 pm Title: Please don't cry
Ya just gotta feel for Pam here. Very much getting the feeling that she's stuck in a rut. She doesn't like the life she's leading, but at every turn it seems she's backed up against a wall of what she should do. Hopefully soon she'll figure out to listen to that small voice telling her to do things she wants to do, regardless of what anyone else says.
Great way to write a very melancholy chapter.
Author's Response:
Thank you!
I'm torn between making the heroes happy right here and right now and keeping the story realistic... and for the sake of realism, I think Pam has to go through some changes. I hope I won't drag it too much!
1 [Report This]Date: April 24, 2020 08:09 am Title: Not today for sure tomorrow
This story is very beautifully written. It kinda made me feel like I was traveling. Can’t wait to read some more.
Author's Response: Thank you very much! It means a lot to me, and I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter.
1 [Report This]Date: April 24, 2020 03:56 am Title: Not today for sure tomorrow
I enjoyed this! It's interesting to see them in this setting. Can't wait to read more!
Author's Response: Thank you very much, I hope the story remains interesting for you :)
1 [Report This]Date: April 24, 2020 03:19 am Title: Not today for sure tomorrow
So this was adorable and heartbreaking. At the same time: dang, I wish Scranton were dense enough to have a metro and lots of random 5 story buildings. American cities of its size are more like glorified suburbs in that way: mostly single family homes and car dependent. You do a great job of reviling the right emotions in the new space though.
Author's Response:
Thank you so much! I'm glad that the new setting wasn't too distractive and I hope I'll keep the right mood.
The five-story buildings are typical here; they were mass-built in the 60s as affordable semi-temporary buildings but remained permanent. But, at least, the new stations of the metro were opened :)
1 [Report This]Date: April 23, 2020 09:58 pm Title: Not today for sure tomorrow
This is beautiful! I could picture Kyiv in your descriptions of Pam and Jim’s apartments, and the subway. Even the note about Pam coming from a rural area and trying to fit it in the city. This will be a cool blend of cultures. I’m really excited to see where you go with this. Despite the different setting, your pining Jim is perfect. My heart hurts for him.
Also, when I read your message about this story, I pictured Dwight as a tour operator at someplace like Chernobyl. Or at least, full of facts and knowledge about it.
Author's Response:
Thank you so much, Jenna! I miss walking freely on the streets, so I try to put my yearning into the words (and I'm happy that it worked!).
I had some ideas about Dwight, but your suggestion about Chornobyl is brilliant! I'll think about the tour... or would it be Michael's idea for a team-building event ('You'll radiate joy!' or something like that).
1 [Report This]Date: April 23, 2020 07:38 pm Title: Not today for sure tomorrow
Dernhelm! I love this! Not at all how I picture Scranton, but I really like the thought of them having this time together and how he makes use of it...
This was one of my favorite moments:
"Pam looked at the window to try to notice an empty and dark platform. When she did see it, she always looked at him, as if she shared some secret knowledge with him; this look made his heart swell. " Yes. So bittersweet.
I've always thought that if Roy had really supported and loved Pam well that Jim wouldn't have pursued her for long, if at all, and she would not have needed him so much.
I'm really looking forward to seeing where you go with this! Thank you for writing!
Author's Response:
Thank you, HonestAndCourageous, for your lovely review!
I like the idea that Jim and Pam need each other, and it's not only because Roy treated Pam poorly, but because they could make each other better persons. Or it's just my vision of perfect relationships goals :)
By the way, the abandoned metro station is real. Every time I'm in that part of the metro, I try so see it :))
1 [Report This]Date: April 23, 2020 04:50 pm Title: Not today for sure tomorrow
Big city Jim and Pam AU here. Still has all the same feelings of canon. The wistful glances, Jim pining after her from afar, their solid friendship. Lots of really good internal thoughts too. Looking forward to seeing where you go with this.
Author's Response: Thank you! I hope the idea I try to write down will be interesting.
1 [Report This]Date: April 23, 2020 03:34 pm Title: Not today for sure tomorrow
Admittedly at points I was confused by the tense of the writing, trying to figure whether something was happening or had already happened. Regardless it was an interesting mood piece and I enjoyed it.
Author's Response: Thank you! To be honest, tenses often confuse me, and I'm sorry that it affected your reading :(
1 [Report This]Date: April 23, 2020 03:27 pm Title: Not today for sure tomorrow
This is so lovely and you did an amazing job of creating a vivid picture. Wonderful!
Author's Response: Thank you so much for your kind words! I'm glad you like it.