Post-The Job. Pam tells us about her week. A companion to "Week's End."
10 Another great chapter. I can't really pinpoint exactly what it is that makes your stories so authentically Jim and Pam, but whatever it is, you've totally got it. So...can't wait for tomorrow :)
This is a little late, but this really was a perfect end to a wonderful story. Thanks for sharing and "getting" Jim and Pam...in my mind, this was totally how their first week went. I could ramble ad nauseum but I'll stop now. Can't wait for more of your work!
10 I love how you contrasted the date with the physical distance they have at work; just another little detail that makes this fic so wonderful! You definitely show your knowledge and love for these characters with your attention to detail...you just seem to "get" Jim and Pam, from their body language with each other to the fun and witty banter.
Loving this fic, but I'm still rooting for an exceptional exercise in pacing: an update a day til the premiere? ;) Joking, but that's testament to just HOW much I like your writing :)
Author's Response: Oh, you always bring the flattery, honey. Thank you so much. An update a day? I think the mods would get really, really sick of me hogging their site *and* I have no idea what I\'d write about.
10 Loved this chapter...great little tidbit that captured Michael perfectly. I especially loved Pam drumming up different lines in her head. And of course the symbolism was great without being too much like an anvil. I'll be sad to see this fic go but I hope you'll feel inspiration strike again so we can read more of your awesome writing :)
Was that too desperate? Nah...
Author's Response: Thanks, honey. I have one more idea laying around. I\'m kind of excited about it, because I\'m fairly certain that I\'ve stumbled upon something original. I plan to start working on it soon, but I really have no idea how long it\'ll take.
10 I can't believe I missed this story, but I'm so glad I found it now. Great job!
Author's Response: Awesome thanks!
Is there life and love after Jam?10 Life got in the way of fanfic reading but I'm glad I'm caught up on this now! Honestly, I absolutely love Emily; I really feel for her, and I love the way you've described her reactions to Jim's behavior throughout the seasons. The most heartbreaking things for me to read are the flashbacks- because they're frustrating and melancholy, but more than that because the more this story progresses, the more realistic these flashbacks become. I'm really rooting for Emily and Jim, because I love how Jim's trying to move forward and how Emily's trying to understand him. I'm a little upset at Pam in a warped way; it's great that she's achieving her dreams, but heartbreaking that Jim can't be a part of that with her. So in a nut shell, dear Wendolf, you've evoked all these different thoughts in my mind and have constructed an interesting and intricate story, and that's really what fanfiction is supposed to do. So kudos to converting an avid Jam shipper to new ideas!
Author's Response: honeypioneer, thanks so much. You know, when I started writing this story I wanted to blame Pam for the demise of their relationship, but the more I write, the more I actually blame Jim (or at least his inability to feel secure in their relationship). Pam definitely left some scars in the early years and I think it\'s really Jim who can\'t get past that. (Not that I blame him . . . just that he wants more than what Pam can give him, maybe.) Anyway, I\'m glad the story works for you, even though it is sad. Thanks for reading!
I think you're trying to break my heart into a million pieces, Wendolf! And I mean that in the most loving way possible. Honestly though, these last few chapters were so heartbreaking to read. I'm really growing to like Emily a lot, but a part of me is waiting for something to go terribly wrong with her and Jim so Pam can magically reappear and we can all have a nicely packaged, fluffy Jam ending. That being said, I'm starting to like (more than before, I guess) the exploration of "what if" because you've taken the time and detail to explore everyone's view. We've seen Emily's (more objective, perhaps) perspective, and the flashbacks, though overwhelmingly sad, give a glimpse of what Jim was and is feeling. So while I love your writing and I love this new character that you've created in Emily, it's definitely taken some re-adjusting on my narrow-minded Jam part. Anyhow, I'll stop rambling...but I'm interested to see how everything pans out with Jim and Emily, despite my little shipper heart being broken :)
Author's Response: Yeah, I feel kind of bad that Pam\'s not getting her say in this fic, but I swear I will get to writing about her in another one. Thank you for being open-minded about this-- I know it\'s really hard to think about this \"what if\". It\'ll get happier, I swear.
Too bad I'm stuck studying for summer course psyc exams of I would've reviewed sooner, because clearly only you, Wendolf, would be able to construct an AU, Jam-less story that I absolutely love. I'm not gonna lie, when I first started reading I was skeptical, but I love the Emily you've created, and you write Jim's voice so well that this has really grown on me. The one thing I have a little bit of a difficult time accepting is Pam making such a quick transformation over the summer, but I suppose it really is plausible and that might be just what's getting to me :) Never thought I'd say this, but it's actually kinda refreshing to see some amazing, well written fic that isn't Jam, because it brings the characters (Jim, here) to a whole other level. So, basically, I'm really enjoying this after an initial "WHAT?" and I can't wait for more!
Author's Response: Honeypioneer! I knew I was missing one of my favorite reviewing friends! Glad you\'re here!
Oh, believe me, I was skeptical about this concept, too. Still not sure I can pull the whole thing off. We\'ll see. And I totally get what you\'re saying about Pam\'s quick transformation -- I had a problem with that, as well. But here are my thoughts: 1) I sort of picture it like when someone goes away to college -- a sudden, sometimes huge transformation in a short amount of time. Kind of a reinvention of sorts. And 2) I knew things had to start heading south for them quickly if I wanted to keep Jim from proposing (and I truly didn\'t want to have him propose and her say \'no\' - which would have been utterly unrealistic to me or have them get engaged and then have to have Pam call off another wedding.) So, quick transformation in New York won out. Thanks so much for taking a break from your studying to read and review! It\'s so appreciated!
"The first meal we ever had was in the break room, actually. We were at two separate tables, and I remember that."10 Wow...I really loved this! Your characterization really matches Jim and Pam, and I like that even from this encounter, their banter and quick humor are really noticeable. I absolutely loved Jim thinking of conversation starters; that's so typical Jim. Great job!
Author's Response: Characterization and dialogue is very important to me and I really tried to get it right, so I\'m glad you said that! Thanks.
Jim comes back, Pam's late, and it's time to talk. Takes place in the summer between S3 and S4.10 I'm already loving where you're going with this! Not many people can pull off first person Pam, but you definitely did and I think it's really in character. I don't really have anything constructive to add because I just kinda get all excited when you have a new story, and I'm still reveling in it :) Don't know where this is going yet, but wherever you're taking these two, I know they'll be in good hands.
Author's Response: Thank you, honey. Like I said in my response to another review, I\'m pretty pleased with how it turned out, but I do think I like 3rd person better. Also, I\'m writing Jim\'s chapter right now, and the differences between the way I think they sound is interesting. I hope you like the direction I take this in.
10 I just love the way you write conversations between these two. It's always and honest and true without being unrealistic and sappy. And I love the way you write Jim- kinda with a chattiness and poignancy that really shows how well you know and perceive him as a character. One thing I really like about your stories is your ability to take what the writers give us from canon and create something plausible and beautiful and in character. So, thank you for that :)
Oh, to hell with it...I practically love everything this fic chooses to be! I find the gap between season 3 and 4 such an intriguing time for Jim and Pam and it's such a treat when writers like you handle it so well :)
Author's Response: Hi, honey - What I discovered writing this chapter is that Jim likes to talk. A lot. It\'s not necessarily prodcutive, but the boy will hold forth. And thank you so much for your comment about my relationship to the canon. I\'ve always been a better writer when I\'m working with constraints. I love the challenge of trying to make what I\'m writing conform as closely to canon as possible and I\'ve found visiting non-canonical aspects of S3 to be my favorite. There\'s just enough information that I have to be mindful of what I\'m doing, but still plenty of room to move.
A colorful look at the evolution of Pam and Jim's relationship.10 Wow- I absolutely love this dialog! You're filling in the gaps along the way just perfectly, and it's so rewarding to see snippets of Pam and Jim's relationship away from the office. I too love Pam's reaction, and how it's so obvious she's feeling something, too. All around this is an amazing fic- can't wait for more!
Author's Response: Thanks honeypioneer! I\'ve always liked to think about what happens after work, away from cameras, on the weekends, etc. And I\'ve always been certain that Pam was aware of, if not necessarily admitting to, her feelings. I\'m glad you\'re enjoying it. Thanks for reading! :)
When Jim can't be there when Pam needs him, he sends a little love through the mail.
My contribution to the "Pam in New York" theme
Loved this! Most of the time I cringe when people try to write letters in character, but you've really got Jim here and I could totally picture him writing those exact words to Pam. Great job :)
Author's Response: I'm very glad my writing wasn't cringe-inducing. I always worry about staying in character, but i'm so happy you felt it worked. Thank you so much for reading :o)
I really enjoyed each of these. Simple, but really in character and a nice tone. Good job :)
Author's Response: Thank you so much for your review. I think I\'m better at writing longer fics, but I wanted to try my skills at writing drabbles. So glad you enjoyed.
A response to Grape Soda's mistletoe challenge. Set during S2.10 Unfortunately life has gotten in the way of my fanfic reading for the past few months...but what a treat to come back and read this! I always love how you write Jim and Pam...only certain writers can really capture these two in both conversation and description, and you're definitely one of them. Your dialogue is never trite or contrived and I can always picture the characters saying each of the lines. So thank you for that...can't wait to see what's next from you :) In the meantime I might just have to go and read Week's End for like, the hundredth time...
Author's Response: Real life has been doing that to my fanfic writing, honey, so I completely understand. Welcome back. I spend the majority of my writing time reworking the dialog (and, weirdly, watching clips of the show on NBC\'s site to make absolutely sure that I\'m \"hearing\" them correctly), so thank you for complimenting me on it. As I said, next from me is going to be a heap of post-Job frosting. I\'m not sure when it\'ll be up, but I hope you enjoy it when it is.