Date: December 16, 2007 08:37 am Title: Chapter 3 - Goodnight, You Moonlight Ladies
*click*
See? Just like that, you're on my favorite authors list. :)
This chapter was all sorts of wonderful, and not just because Mrs. Mose and I have had conversations eerily similar to the one Jim and Pam had here. This was just so... real. Pam's absolutely right about Jim--he does have blinders on when it comes to her. He does believe that she can do anything. It's both a fault and a strength of his. (Hey, would Pam rather that he not think she can do anything?)
But the genius of this chapter is that you were able to take that conversation and keep it in the realm of reality. Because in my mind, it's much more realistic for Pam to take a break right now. She's got some valid concerns to deal with, and it's okay if she knows that she can't do it all. (Here's a hint, Pam: nobody can do it all.)
Okay, I know I'm talking about this story as though it's totally non-fiction. That's my own problem. :P Well, it's also partly yours for writing it so convincingly! ;)
Author's Response:
EEE! How cool is this? I'm going to float around all day after reading this and thank you so much for reviewing each chapter! Good grief, I feel like Pam unwrapping her ornaments!
I never really understood how having complete and utter faith in someone could be a negative thing for them until an ex told me that it felt like pressure. Please to note the use of the word "ex" in the last sentence. You're so right about this being a fault and a strength of Jim's. And Pam definitely loves him for believing in her...but she's making a baby right now and she's a little overwhelmed!
I'm so pleased you thought the conversation seemed real. I kept switching between my tie and my cardigan to think about how they would react to each other. You talking about this like it's non-fiction? Best. Thing. Ever.
You made my whole weekend, here. Would Mrs. Mose be mad if I gave you a virtual smooch? Okay, good. :-*
Date: December 03, 2007 06:47 am Title: Chapter 3 - Goodnight, You Moonlight Ladies
You know I love this story, but this chapter is especially fine. (And Sweet Baby James? That's hitting me in the nostalgia bone big time ;-) Just so real and true to character - Pam shorting out on it all, her weariness, Jim desperate to reassure her - completely convincing. So warm and intimate - they really read like two people in love here. Well done! (And I LOVE Jim's comments about the 'stash box' and offering her his tie - too funny.)
Author's Response:
Colette, this one is my favorite so far, too, so I'm really glad you liked it, as well. I wavered a long time over having Jim actually sing a few lines from Sweet Baby James, but the lines from Lennon's Beautiful Boy were just too perfect for what they'd talked about. I was trying to get a theme going with the chapter titles, but I was stumped with this one until I thought of Jim rocking her and then it just popped in my head.
I can't thank you enough for these wonderful reviews. You're so great and so generous with your praise. It makes all the agonizing and editing and rewriting so worthwhile. And makes me want to get chapter 5 done that much more quickly, so I hope I see you here again soon! :-*
Date: December 02, 2007 07:48 pm Title: Chapter 3 - Goodnight, You Moonlight Ladies
Aww, I love when they cuddle and talk in fics. I thought it was wonderful that Jim persisted until he finally said something that made her feel better. Sigh. He'll just do anything for that girl.
But, "You totally made our baby a stash box," was my favorite line in this chapter. I can hear Jim saying it over Pam's indignation. And "It felt good to make something solid," is a great line. Pam is exploring all these other crative endeavors because she can't face her art again just now. She's afraid of failure right now. Damn pregnancy hormones.
Author's Response:
EH, how much I love reading your reviews! The "I'm not letting this go" line from Jim was a very, very late addition. I wanted him to go through the typical guy reaction cycle first...the prof's an asshole, stupid, doesn't know anything. Oh, and he made you feel really bad? I'm kicking his ass. Then, I'll tell her what to do....until he arrives at the right thing: I'm here for you, I'll help you, don't worry.
Your Pam comments? NAILED IT! </Andy> And I was chuckling to myself over the stash box as I was writing it...how dorky is that? When you're sitting alone in your apartment chuckling at your own writing? You need to get out more.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for these reviews!
Date: December 02, 2007 01:05 pm Title: Chapter 3 - Goodnight, You Moonlight Ladies
Aww, Jim. Sometimes there is just no reasoning with a pregnant lady. Sometimes we just need to know you'll be there for us. (Pam in prenatal yoga is super-cute).
Author's Response:
Jim is a pretty wonderful guy, but like most guys, he wants to DO something, he wants to fix it so Pam won't be sad and cry. He's learning, though. Personally, I wouldn't mind seeing him kick that prof's ass. Thank you for the review, lisahoo!
Date: December 02, 2007 11:03 am Title: Chapter 3 - Goodnight, You Moonlight Ladies
You're killing me, Sweetpea, but what a way to go.
I came to the library this afternoon to assault my honors paper (I'm writing about "The Office," so it's not too bad). The plan was to sit, focus, and write, but I had to drop by MTT first. Then I see not one but TWO chapters of this lovely story! I read them once, then again to make sure I didn't miss anything, and there went 25 minutes of my afternoon.
Oh well. It was more than worth it. More, please, asap!! I'm in love with the tone of this story, and you've created a really unique set of problems for our favorite couple that we don't usually get in BabyFic. Well done, well done, and more please!! -CH
Author's Response: A reread from you CH is a huge, huge compliment. Thank you so much. This review made me flashback to school and being in EXACTLY that situation. "I'll just take a peek at my email before I start writing..." Two hours later....YIKES! My solution? I wrote so many papers in a little tavern in the middle of the afternoon. Pretty quiet, but it had good background noise, and NO Internet. Plus food! and you can have a beer when you're done! Now, an honors paper on TO? That sounds intriguing!
10 [Report This]Date: December 02, 2007 10:47 am Title: Chapter 3 - Goodnight, You Moonlight Ladies
It's official. I'm in love with this story. This conversation between them is so real and and I can imagine Pam having this exact reaction. I also laughed out loud a few times - you are SO good at first person Jim.
I have to say though, I have a bad feeling of foreboding in the pit of my stomach. I'm a little worried, but I have faith in you! More, soon, please!
Author's Response: And I'm in love with your reviews, kells! It wasn't too hard for me to imagine Pam's feelings here. I've started over a few times, myself, and it's terribly disorienting and scary and when you're forced to start over because something hasn't worked out the way you thought it would...well, it can be soul-crushing. She has Jim, though, and he's not going to let that happen. I'm tickled this made you laugh and first person Jim is challenging, but so much fun to do. I promise your faith isn't misplaced. I love these two way too much. :-*