10 [Report This]Date: December 03, 2008 06:27 pm Title: Artifact
So sad :(
Author's Response: Thanks for reading and reviewing!
10 [Report This]Date: September 18, 2008 03:08 pm Title: Artifact
*le sigh* Lovely. How very Jim of him to save an "artifact" from Pam, the way she saved the yogurt lids from Office Olympics. I congratulate you on the wonderful portrait of Karen you drew here; she was as real as Jim and Pam, very alive on the page (so to speak). You showed her both brittle and vulnerable; it's so easy to emphasize one over the other.
I loved lines like "He didn't know how to be around her". That's so very true--when one is past a certain intensity of emotion, how to find new ground in a relationship? Very true to life. Well done. You know I always love your stuff, Colette; this one was no exception (even if I got to it a little late!)
Author's Response: Jim is kind of sentimental - teapot full of bonus gifts, anyone? ;-) I liked the idea that the 'artifact' of what he wished had been (or was) for himself was also something connected with Pam's self-realization (did that make any sense?) Glad you thought Karen came alive here. I agree that stories often either portray her as evil shrew-vixen or as most awesome girl in Awesometown - and frankly, both extremes just miss the point for me. Anyway, thanks much NEJ!
Date: August 22, 2008 11:18 am Title: Artifact
That was gorgeous. I like the sadness of all three of them. The struggle to keep up appearances and the subtle failures to do so. Your Karen felt very true to her portrayal on the show, with none of the fic cliches I so often encounter. And that Jim kept the pot was the perfect ending, so bittersweet and full of hope.
Author's Response: Glad you found Karen's portrayal accurate here - in fics, I often find her drawn as either the cool goddess who made no mistakes, or conversely, as the evil heartless minx from Central Casting. But, I thought she was simply a normal woman, with both strengths and insecurities, dealing with a lose-lose (lose) situation. Also pleased the ending came across as bittersweet, but still hopeful...that was exactly the tone I felt on the show, at that point in S3. Thanks so much for your thoughtful review, belsum!
Date: August 16, 2008 10:20 am Title: Artifact
*sigh* I like how you ended this. And the title. And I absolutely adore your end note of '... at the length truth will out.'
I've only been around a bit, but I'm thinking I should poke around your other pieces. Loved this one :)
Author's Response: You can always count on Shakespeare for a pithy quote, lol. Glad you liked this so much - if you do poke around, chronologically, I'd start with one around Lost & Found (personal fave) - the earlier ones are a bit klunkier. Thanks so much variella - really appreciate the feedback!
10 [Report This]Date: August 15, 2008 05:22 am Title: Artifact
this is absolutely brilliant, colette! the whole story is amazing, but i especially how you left the end so sad and yet open-ended that you can't help but hope. you write tragic so well, and i can just see jim cleaning that pitiful clay pot as though it were delicate and fragile and priceless.. just, wonderful!
Author's Response: Thanks so much StarShine - I guess at that point in S3, the situation just seemed sad, but open-ended. (Who knew it would take months more to evolve? Devolve?) And, yeah - aw Jim. So blinded by his own defenses/heartache back in those days. Thank god that's over. ;-)
Date: August 14, 2008 10:56 am Title: Artifact
I love the delicate pace of this story, and how many things you leave unsaid -- it reminds me so much of the tone of the third season where everyone was thinking things they weren't saying.
Author's Response: Glad to hear that - I really wanted this to feel like an organic part of S3 which yes, was so much about what wasn't articulated. Thanks so much, sophia!
9 [Report This]Date: August 14, 2008 10:11 am Title: Artifact
Ouch. But, amazing job.
Author's Response: Thanks, flonkerton - glad you liked it despite the ouch factor ;-)
Date: August 13, 2008 06:09 pm Title: Artifact
Aw so sweet. Great little story!
Author's Response: Thanks!
Date: August 13, 2008 05:25 pm Title: Artifact
Wow. The imagery in this last chapter was just so wonderful. I felt like he was wrapping PAM up in that soft towel and being so careful with her. Uh...man this makes me appreciate the fact that now they are together and staying that way! lol Great work here Colette.
Author's Response: See, that's what I hoped - revisiting those miserable days would make the current situation feel that much sweeter. So happy you liked this one, LoveFool - still really pleased - and a bit surprised - by the response this sad old thing has gotten.
10 [Report This]Date: August 13, 2008 04:54 pm Title: Artifact
I've been dying to read this, but work has me insanely buried at the moment. I finally found the time this evening and, man alive, am I glad I did. You never cease to amaze me. I love so much of this story, even though it hurt my heart a bit. But a few things do stand out for me. I love the moment in the bedroom, where Jim can't help but grab Pam's hand. Such a simple gesture, but the moment spoke volumes about how he was feeling. And this entire last chapter...I can't pick a single moment. The care he took with Pam's pot and the disregard Karen had for it seems so perfect. Like I said, this hurt my wee heart, but it is beautiful. Thank you for sharing :)
Author's Response: So sorry about hurting your heart ;-)...but so glad you liked this. And really pleased you thought him grabbing her hand was 'enough' - hoped it would convey all I wanted it too. Thanks so much, WalkInLove - love hearing from you!
Date: August 13, 2008 03:26 pm Title: Artifact
I really liked this little piece. Great work!
Author's Response: Thank you very much JennInTheCity! Happy you liked it.
10 [Report This]Date: August 13, 2008 03:07 pm Title: Artifact
"He ran his thumb slowly over the small spot of naked pale pinkish clay exposed beneath the pot's fanciful surface. "
I love the visualization here too - this is such an amazing little view into the utter hell fanfic fodder torment that was S3. Thanks again!
Author's Response: Thank you so much notatoy! Have to admit, that line got me a little choked up when I wrote it - they were all just so raw, and so stupid, back then.
Date: August 13, 2008 01:43 pm Title: Artifact
This description could fit either Jim or Pam: It seemed so raw, so vulnerable, so unspeakably sad. I love the tone of this chapter: Jim's desperate attempt to run as fast as he can from Karen,and hiding Pam's pot like his true feelings for her.
Author's Response: I agree - they were both in that fragile state. Glad you think the tone worked - Jim was all about hiding in those days. Good times (not.) Thanks so much, Alamos.
9 [Report This]Date: August 13, 2008 01:20 pm Title: Artifact
Your description of the care that Jim takes with the pot is so touching, Colette
Author's Response: Such a sweet, sad boy, that Jim. Aw. Glad you felt this, NanReg - many, many thanks!
10 [Report This]Date: August 13, 2008 01:13 pm Title: Artifact
I really like the direction this story is going, and I think you've got a real good taste of their characters. This is an AU sure but I feel the drama.. and I really like that. I hope you continue updating fast!!
Author's Response: Sorry, no more updates - this one is complete. Glad you liked the direction. Thanks much, dasani!
Date: August 13, 2008 12:35 pm Title: Artifact
Colette - awesome story. Thank you for writing it. Your ending was elegantly open - but tacky me wants more, of course. So, here is me trying to be grateful for what I get! This feels so tender towards sad Pam and Jim; beautifully done.
MCC
Author's Response: I like that - 'elegantly open.' I think we all want more...so, bring on S5, that's what I say ;-) So pleased you enjoyed this MCC - many thanks!
10 [Report This]Date: August 13, 2008 12:23 pm Title: Artifact
Aww... colette that was just TOO sad. Well written, but that's nothing knew when it comes to you! Still....I should have taken heed when you said it was angsty. I think I need to go lie down and write another chapter to this in my head where it all turns out okay.... ;-)
Author's Response: No, see - the chapter where it turns out okay has already been written...S4!! Sorry to make you sad, Mox...but, like I said, this fic was about filling in the blank between those ep's, not re-routing the tortuous course of twu wuv. Thank GD, those pesky writers on the show did that for us ;-)
Date: August 13, 2008 11:51 am Title: Artifact
Oh, of course sentimental Jim keeps the pot. Along with his paperclip chains, napkin doodles and hot sauce packets.
*sigh*
I'm so glad I know this ends in a much better place.
Author's Response: Yeah, I figured this would go down a bit easier, with S4 under our belts. Appreciate your sticking with me - now it's time for happy thoughts. I.O.U. one smoochy fic ;-) Thanks, Lisa!
10 [Report This]Date: August 13, 2008 11:47 am Title: Artifact
This is so sweet and sad and just a fantastic little snapshot of why everything had to end up the way it did. I loved this description of the chipped lip of the pot, and saw it as a direct parallel to Jim himself:
so raw, so vulnerable, so unspeakably sad.
And this:
An artifact of a time and place that never really existed, but that he missed all the same.
And the symbolism of using the same towel he'd dried himself off with... well. As always, your subtlety is wonderful. This was a real treat.
Author's Response: So pleased you felt the metaphor of the chipped pot - and 'subtlety' is high praise in my book. Thanks so much, callisto! (And btw, have been crazy busy lately, but your new fic is on my 'to read' list - can't wait.)
Date: August 13, 2008 11:42 am Title: Artifact
Old habits die hard- trying to protect whatever tiny piece of Pam he can, wrapping it up and tucking it away. This is the "cherish" part of loving, honoring, and cherishing. I imagine that there are yogurt lids in that box, as well.
Thank you for writing this.
Author's Response: No, thank YOU for reading (and reviewing) this! Yes, tucking it away somewhere safe, but hidden (even from himself. Except...well, we know how well THAT worked.) Thanks again for all your lovely reviews!
10 [Report This]Date: August 13, 2008 11:33 am Title: Artifact
Oh my that broke my heart :-( Yes, we all know how it ends, but I hate thinking about how long and intensely Jim suffered before the happiness occurred.
Don't get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed this story. :-) It was beautifully written.
I hope you will follow it up with a happy, fluffy one next though! Pretty please? ;-)
Author's Response: I can't promise anything (and I always think my last fic is my, well...last) but you never know when the urge to fluff will strike. So, will see what I can do. Thanks, Abigail for reading and reviewing!