1 [Report This]Date: March 19, 2021 03:08 am Title: Broken Traditions
I have to admit I was on the edge of my seat throughout that scene in Paper Airplanes, so the idea that he might not have left his umbrella at all is slightly gut-wrenching 😱 But this is so good! I really like the idea of them keeping the yoghurt pot lids more generally, and then Jim saving one from the trash, and the line 'the fears got worse and lids kept getting thrown out' - oof. I think you've done such a great job of getting inside their heads and showing it from both their sides: I was definitely more sympathetic to Pam on the show, but am really feeling for Jim having read this. I'm also loving Jim's interaction with Cece here (and the knock knock joke maybe made me laugh more than it should). Really interested to see where this goes!
Author's Response:
Thanks so much- seems like the one line summary is getting folks right there and there are a lot more sympathies for Pam from show but I felt like there were two sides to this story, maybe one didn't get shown quite as much. I'm glad I was able to get you to see Jim's side a bit.
I'm glad you brought up the jokes so I can share that the one Cece tells Jim was a classic in my house that my son (a little kid at the time) also used to get wrong exactly that way when he told it. It still makes me laugh to this day thinking of it. But the knock knock jokes I looked up were making me laugh too. There are so many good ones I had to find the one that seemed most suitable for a three year old (although as I mention she'd laugh at anything from her dad).
Two maybe, three more chapters are planned and we'll get a little more perspective. Thanks again for the review - love to know what folks thinks.
Cheers!
1 [Report This]Date: March 18, 2021 04:31 pm Title: Broken Traditions
This is Pure Gold. This was incredible and I am hooked already.
I always sided a lil towards Pam during season 9 because somehow I had more sympathies for the mother putting her kids to bed alone than the father who is going around in limo and missing his daughter’s recital.
Loved how in depth your characters are and how well you wrote about their feelings and expressions.
Can’t wait for more !!
Author's Response:
Thank you Trish - I really appreciate that.
I really never though I'd write a Season 9 story - mine are usually more gushy love stories than angst-fests (with the exception of Copper Strands) but the songs got inside of me and pulled the words out of me. (wish Jim and Pam had heard them so it would pull the words out of them)
I really tried to put forth both perspectives because I can see things from both their sides and see how they both were at fault in some ways.
I appreciate your "glowing" review. Thanks so much.
1 [Report This]Date: March 18, 2021 04:20 pm Title: Broken Traditions
You really got to the essense of how they're not on the same page in this part of their lives. Jim trying to be successful for his family. Pam resenting the change and having to basically be a single mom. I really thought you hit the nail on the head when you had Pam recall some of the other times she'd tried to change and they hadn't worked out. There is of course one big exeption. She made a huge change by not marrying Roy. Now I'll grant you it took another year for the seeds planted by that change to bear fruit and it was a tough growing season in the meanwhile. But she has had some changes work for the better. However I think you're also right in her not remebering that change when she's so overwhelmed with everything else right now.
It was also the little things that showed how far apart they are. Like her not turning to him for help with her zipper. Great use of detail.
All in all an excellent chapter of a lot of introspection. Really looking forward to seeing where you take this.
Author's Response:
Ah Warrior, you have to know that Pam will realize that - it will be addressed in the next chapter.
Season 9 was one of those things I thought I'd never write about - even though I had very strong feelings about things that happened.
Now that I've written this piece I am so glad I did and I am thrilled you enjoyed it so far.
You can thank Ben Rector, Jake Isaac, India Arie and later Gary Clark and John Carney.
Thanks for your great review. Always happy to hear what your take and what you think.
Date: March 18, 2021 04:20 pm Title: Broken Traditions
Maxie, Maxie, Maxie or Goldie, Goldie, Goldie. My eyes already think I'm peeling onions from your What if the umbrella summary. I feel an ugly cry coming on.
Don't worry about Darryl's location; he's dodging Val or Val's boyfriend works as an excuse. I keep looking up distances from Scranton on Mapquest. Scranton is kinda centrally located to most places on the East Coast -- 2 to 3 hours and you can be anywhere (except the BBQ is suspect, I'm sure). I've commuted 90 minutes one way to work and have been known to drive two hours to try a new BBQ joint.
Spotify already thinks I'm pretty weird because the Ben Rector Love Like This is on no fewer than THREE playlists, multiple times on each playlists. I almost have it programmed to automatically invoke the repeat function whenever it recognizes Love Like This.
Friendly Tip. Buy Kimberly Clark stock on spec immediately
Author's Response:
You always crack me up Once!
In the episode this takes place he is in Scranton but in my version he is already spending a lot more time in Philly.
Such an awesome song. If I were 10 again, I'd be needing a new needle from the constant plays (although vinyl is back baby, my 15 year old has been building up his collection and goes to the vintage record store every weekend. We get to hear a lot of Dylan, Simon and Garfunkel, Paul Anka, Donovan out of his room - wow that was some tangent Angela). Hope you take a listen to Gold -not quite Pam and Jim (although based on interpretation it could be) but it is also hauntingly good. It got me writing a season 9 story that I never thought I would.
Thanks for the review -always love to hear from you.