Reviews For Self Portraits
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Reviewer: kerber1920 Signed [Report This]
Date: April 01, 2008 02:18 pm Title: Epilogue: Frames and Illumination

A Mose suggested read -- and it's wonderful, brilliant.

Reviewer: scrantonbranch Signed [Report This]
Date: September 05, 2007 07:27 pm Title: Epilogue: Frames and Illumination

I have read this series many times and thought it was about time I left a review.  This is so creative and beautiful.  You evoke some very powerful emotions with your writing.  I love all the imagery.  You give the reader a way to picture Pam's soul and that is incredible.  Nicely done!

Reviewer: albie_ Signed [Report This]
Date: September 02, 2007 09:31 pm Title: Epilogue: Frames and Illumination

Just beautifully vibrant. 

Reviewer: dmscranton Signed 9 [Report This]
Date: September 02, 2007 11:07 am Title: Epilogue: Frames and Illumination

Excellent work. I have a few oil paints around here somewhere maybe I should embrace my courage and honesty. This was just great work, perfectly described, visually clear. Bravo!

Reviewer: Cousin Mose Signed 10 [Report This]
Date: September 02, 2007 10:33 am Title: Epilogue: Frames and Illumination

Oh wow... I love the changes you made! The whole chapter is so much stronger as a result. And that's saying something, considering how strong it was to begin with! 

BJB, Thank you for allowing me to help in any small way I could with this. I'm the one who feels lucky to have read early drafts of a lot of this--sorta like seeing a sneak preview of a great film. :) You are an amazingly talented writer, and I hope to see much, MUCH more of your work in the future! Well done!

Reviewer: Cousin Mose Signed 10 [Report This]
Date: September 02, 2007 09:53 am Title: Chapter 4: Oil and Canvas

You already know my feelings about this story and especially this chapter, but I'll reiterate some of them here. This is one of the most beautiful things I've ever read. Period. Not just fan fiction, either. But ever read. This scene is so incredibly powerful, and the song choice is the perfect way to juxtapose Pam's emotions with her painting. 

In short: this is simply beautiful. :) 



Author's Response: Wow, you are fast!!  Thanks so much Mose.  I can't even begin to tell you how much your review means to me.  I'll just start with saying "It's the world". 

Reviewer: scottyskater77 Signed 10 [Report This]
Date: August 30, 2007 05:52 pm Title: Chapter 3: Watercolor and Negative Space

BJB, I finally read this chapter. I think it was good, and I really like the ending. Looking forward to the next chapter. I no you can dew it. ;)

Author's Response: OLO!! Scotty, I think my next story will be written in a code that only ewe and eye would ever understand.  :rollseyes:  Now look what you've gone and made me do.

Reviewer: ladama Signed [Report This]
Date: August 08, 2007 01:41 pm Title: Chapter 1: Pens and Pencils

"Not really a writer"? It looks like you're a writer to me ;). I really love this, it's so well written and of course appeals to the art student in me. The wait will be worth it.

Author's Response: Awww, thanks ladama!!  I'm glad there's another artist on board. 

Author's Response: Awww, thanks ladama!!  I'm glad there's another artist on board. 

Reviewer: smellslikechickensoup Signed [Report This]
Date: August 06, 2007 07:41 pm Title: Chapter 3: Watercolor and Negative Space

I love this story BJB! You reaching farther into the depths of Pam's soul then the show ever could. It's beautiful! Go Pam, Find your courage and honesty!

Author's Response: Hi SLCS!  Oh if only the show could be more than a half-hour and appeared everynight instead of just Thursdays (*sigh*  If only, if only), then maybe they would have the time to go deep into Pam's soul.  But I think they do a mighty fine job of implying it with the time they have.  I'm just sharing with you all how I fill in the gaps (and doing some creative purging in the process)  :)  Thanks so much for the wonderful review!!!

Reviewer: receptionist Signed [Report This]
Date: August 06, 2007 05:38 pm Title: Chapter 3: Watercolor and Negative Space

awesome work, BJB!!! 


Author's Response:

Thanks again, receptionist!!

Reviewer: Abigail Signed [Report This]
Date: August 06, 2007 09:28 am Title: Chapter 3: Watercolor and Negative Space

Now that she had a taste of something that was a little hard to swallow, she wasn’t quite sure she was ready to spit it out. She wanted to chew on it a little more.

GO PAM!  Your writing is so thoughtful and intelligent.  This was just great! 



Author's Response: Thanks Abigail!!  I really enjoy your enthusiasm!

Reviewer: Cousin Mose Signed 10 [Report This]
Date: August 06, 2007 05:17 am Title: Chapter 3: Watercolor and Negative Space

BlueJeanBaby, there were parts of this brilliant chapter that made my chest hurt because of how well you write. When Pam asked if she lacked courage and honesty, I really felt a little twinge in my heart for her, and how naked and open and exposed she must have felt in that moment. 

Again, such a wonderful use of imagery and metaphor here. I simply adore how the different layers of meaning within this story overlap one another, bringing a richness and depth to the story that I haven't seen in a long time. It's as though your ideas are watercolors themselves, you know? Lush, vibrant, colors that splash happily across my screen and into my mind and heart. 

Thank you so much for continuing this story! :) 



Author's Response: Cousin Mose, I just love your reviews.  They are so thoughtful and they warm my heart.  They are the type of reviews that make me want to write.  Thanks so much!!! 

Reviewer: desert island Signed [Report This]
Date: August 05, 2007 09:46 pm Title: Chapter 3: Watercolor and Negative Space

She completely understands about the negative space... hmmm. I wonder what she will do with this newfound understanding...
'She felt herself becoming braver as she learned that the attention was not something to fear, that it could, indeed, be helpful. ' I think this is really true of Pam. Nice work.

Author's Response: Oh, there are lots of things she can do.  :)  Thanks for the review!! 

Reviewer: desert island Signed [Report This]
Date: August 05, 2007 09:41 pm Title: Chapter 2: Blank Paper and Charcoal

'I'll start with myself.' Really nice. I love that she's determined yet insecure.

Author's Response: Thanks again desert island!!

Reviewer: desert island Signed [Report This]
Date: August 05, 2007 09:38 pm Title: Chapter 1: Pens and Pencils

I just discovered this and think this forst chapter here is really excellent. The portrait is a really nice metaphor for Pam's life.
Well done losing your creative writing virginity! It usually isn't so good your first time!

Author's Response: Thanks desert island!  Yes, it may have been my first time, but it was still awkward and I was nervous, but I it was also exuberant and left me wanting more.  (Oh gosh, I've got to stop. )

Reviewer: Azlin Signed [Report This]
Date: July 28, 2007 10:13 am Title: Chapter 2: Blank Paper and Charcoal

I'm so glad you finally posted this! I was starting to worry about you. Anyway, I'm beta-ing chapter 3 as we speak, and realized I hadn't given you a proper review for this chapter. It was great! I love how the artsy aspects are so inter-woven with the emotions. Nice job! ;)

Author's Response: Thanks Azlin!!  I really do appreciate all the beta'ing you're doing for me.  Without you I think these last two chapters would have been a mess.   Sometimes what I want to say doesn't quite come out clearly the first time.  Thanks for helping me sharpen vision. 

Reviewer: receptionist Signed [Report This]
Date: July 27, 2007 05:11 pm Title: Chapter 1: Pens and Pencils

beautiful writing, BJB!  I can't wait to read more!

Author's Response: Thanks receptionist!!  Note: I'm still thinking about our other project.  I haven't forgotten.  ;)

Reviewer: kaystar Signed 7 [Report This]
Date: July 26, 2007 07:29 pm Title: Chapter 1: Pens and Pencils

Beautiful chapter. I can't believe it was written by someone who says "I'm not really a writer" because "absolutely you are". I love the little details and the comparisons between Pam's life and her art. And this line was just so perfect:  "It was years of denial and hard labor in an effort to force something to work that was never working to begin with that did her in."



Author's Response: Thanks for the review kaystar!  I'm glad you liked that line.  To me it's about a trap that a lot of us fall into, never realizing it, but it's never to late to escape. 

Reviewer: lisahoo Signed [Report This]
Date: July 26, 2007 07:17 pm Title: Chapter 2: Blank Paper and Charcoal

Love the extended metaphor.  Miss Beesley has a blank canvas as it were.  Let's hope she draws something worthy.

Author's Response: Thanks lisahoo.  I certainly hope it's worthy as well.  I hope you'll let me know if it is or isn't when we get there.

Reviewer: mixed Signed [Report This]
Date: July 26, 2007 01:55 pm Title: Chapter 1: Pens and Pencils

Your story's beautiful BJB. I'm looking forward to the new portrait.


Author's Response: Thanks MB!!  I'm looking forward to her portrait as well. 

Reviewer: Beeswax Signed [Report This]
Date: July 26, 2007 01:41 pm Title: Chapter 2: Blank Paper and Charcoal

Wow!  I love how Pam has to start with herself.  Beautiful.

Can't wait for more!



Author's Response: Thanks Beeswax!  Stay tuned, there will be more.

Reviewer: Cousin Mose Signed 10 [Report This]
Date: July 26, 2007 09:56 am Title: Chapter 2: Blank Paper and Charcoal

Oh...WOW! My head is spinning right now. This was so good! It's as if you didn't waste a single word or phrase here. I felt like everything I read was working on a much deeper level that just Pam dealing with artistic block. 

I am so glad you decided to continue with this story, because it's like a cool breeze on a hot day--just what you want, right when you want it.

Definitely keep this going! I'll be here, every step of the way, savoring every word and image. :)

Wonderful!



Author's Response:

Thanks so much again, Cousin Mose.  I love working with the multiple layers, parallels and meanings between the artist and her artwork and the artist and her life.   It makes me so happy to read that it translates in my story and that someone like you gets that.  

Oh and I'm sorry your head keeps getting that spinning feeling.  I hope your not getting dizzy.  ;) 

Thank you!!!!

Reviewer: Cousin Mose Signed 10 [Report This]
Date: July 25, 2007 06:20 am Title: Chapter 1: Pens and Pencils

You may claim "I'm not really a writer" in your end notes, but this story disproves your theory. You are very much a writer. There is such a gentleness and grace to your style, which is perfect for Pam and her art. 

How did I miss this story when it first came out? I'm at a loss, but I'm glad I found it now. It reminds me a lot of "Quantum Mechanics," which you just reviewed for me, but focusing on art instead of science.

I just thought of something pretty cool. Follow me on this.

The random story of the moment led you to Quantum Mechanics, which you hadn't seen the first time around, and your review led me back to this story, which I hadn't seen the first time around, like one great circle. So, the question is: was it really "random?" :) (my head hurts now just thinking about it.)

Anyway, have I mentioned that I thought this story was amazing? You really need to write more. Like, soon. For real. 



Author's Response:

Thanks Cousin Mose.  This review means so much to me.  I hadn't even realized some of the similarities between your story and mine, until I re-read my chapter earlier today.  I don't think I've read it since I posted it.

So shall we continue this story of influence and randomness that seems to run laps around us?   When I wrote that review of Quantum Mechanics, I never expected you to read it, since you posted the story months ago.  For some reason, I was still compelled to check and was so happy and excited with your response.   When I returned to the homepage, I was shocked to see my story there.  Thus, leading me to read your review.  Your review has compelled me to focus a little more on finishing my next few chapters, something that I have been completely neglecting (I was beginning to fear that it was going to fall to the wayside).  I had no idea that when I read Quantum Mechanics that it would have lead to all this.  :)

Anyway, I've been waiting to finish all chapters before I began posting them again.  Now that I have them all roughed in, there shouldn't be a long gap of time between chapters like there is now.  *Crosses Fingers*.  

Reviewer: EverybodyHurts Signed [Report This]
Date: June 29, 2007 06:26 pm Title: Chapter 1: Pens and Pencils

Hey, BJB!  I just got around to reading your story and I have to say that you did such a great job with the symbolism:  Pam's art, her life, her loves.  Really nice job, very poetic.  I hope you write more.

Author's Response: Thanks EverybodyHurts.  I'm so glad you got around to reading it.  I'm also glad that you got all the symbolism, because it was so much fun writing it and seemed to flow so easily.  I guess art really lends itself to that kind of stuff.  Next chapter should be coming shortly (rough draft is already written)

Reviewer: bealsa Signed [Report This]
Date: June 27, 2007 08:31 pm Title: Chapter 1: Pens and Pencils

This was beautiful and gave a lot of insight into what Pam must have been thinking after the art show. I'm not an artist at all, but I really liked the details like "cross-hatching". Made me feel like you got Pam's voice right. Nice job!

Author's Response: Yeah, I had to dig into my old art-vocab and try to delve into what it's like to get something all wrong.  I'm glad you feel like I got Pam's voice right.  That's the part that makes me most nervous.  These character's are so well written, I worry that I'm putzing around with a masterpiece and I don't have the skill to match the creators (of these characters).  There's a reason that I haven't written any dialogue.  :)  (Yet)  Thanks again.  

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