Penname: SyK Real name: R.A
Member Since: September 03, 2009

Bio:

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Reviews by SyK
Summary: The Supreme Being gives his take on the JimPam relationship and other Officeites. I think he likes JAM. Spoilers through The Job.  I know this looks like a WIP but it really is a bunch of epidode related vignettes.
Categories: Jim and Pam, Episode Related
Characters: Ensemble
Genres: Romance
Warnings: No Warnings Apply
Series: None
Chapters: 14 Table of Contents
Completed: Yes Word count: 14430 Read Count: 38243 ePub Downloads: 3
[Report This] Published: April 01, 2007 Updated: October 08, 2009
Reviewer: SyK Signed
Date: October 09, 2009 Title: Chapter 14: The Archangel Michael

I love the Michael love. And everything else. Yours is a God I could actually believe in.

Author's Response: Awww...Thanks! I appreciate you taking the time to leave a review.

Summary:

Ideas for Cold Openings (the pre-title gags) always pop into my head. So these will be just a bunch of teasers that, hopefully, you will find funny. I don't know how many I will post but I'll keep putting them up as they occur to me.

 


Categories: Other, Present
Characters: Ensemble
Genres: Humor
Warnings: No Warnings Apply
Series: None
Chapters: 74 Table of Contents
Completed: No Word count: 43087 Read Count: 271279 ePub Downloads: 5
[Report This] Published: September 18, 2007 Updated: August 20, 2010
Reviewer: SyK Signed
Date: October 28, 2009 Title: Chapter 70: Weight of the "World"

Two Cold Opens in one week! You're on a roll. And they're both really good too. Murder, She Suggested first. (absolutely awesome title, btw, I have a soft spot for that show, stupid as it was, because for some reason it was always on re-runs in the afternoon when I was sick and staying home from school. Weird.)

The relationship between Michael and Pam has always been so interesting to me, and I can't wait to see where the show takes it from here. Your CO was very take on the whole Helene thing. I love how Michael is trying to make it better, and wants to reconnect with the other half of his "best friend" -couple and can't help but put his foot in. So very Michael. I can almost see Steve and Jenna playing your scene, and I think they'd be fantastic.

The TH is perfection! Pam channels Dwight. That's kind of scary. And also very, very funny.

Now, I have to admit that chapter 70 is a bit less accessible to me, because I don't even know what sport they're talking about (not American, me). BUT I can still enjoy it, because the sport itself is "just" a way to set the stage, right? The interaction between the three men is the real point, no? And it's so in character and funny. Michael is clueless and trying to hard, Jim is amused and... Jim while David Wallace is a little lost. Loved Pam's cute little go Phillies, too.

Author's Response:

Thank you so much!  That was very in depth and I really appreciate that. I knew I was taking a bit of a chance by sneaking a sport into a C/O (baseball, in this case) but you are right. The sports references are just an excuse to see three different personalities go at it. It's so fun to come up with a story and just practically sit back and watch it write itself. The characters are so well defined. As you may or may not know, The Yankees are (well, I'm sure you know this) are in New York and the Phillies are in, well, Philadelphia. So that's a perfect leaping off point. Plus I saw "The Job" the other day and David and Jim had a funny little thing about the Knicks and the Sixers in basketball. So that helped to set this up.

And thank you about "Murder, She Suggested". I like that title too, for some reason. Anytime I can play off of something else, I will. I was just saying on the Life In The Office.com forums to a friend of mine that, I think, by the time this dating Pam's mom thing ends, Michael and Pam will be even closer. I think this is, obviously, doomed to fail but I think Pam's mom will hurt Michael. She is in an emotional freefall from her divorce and seeing her ex husband with a young hottie less than half her age but something will click, I imagine and she'll move on from Michael. She's the one that's rebounding and that doesn't bode well for this relationship. I think by the end Pam will actually feel sorry for Michael. I like their relationship, too. It's brother/sister, mother/son, boss/employee all rolled into one complex dynamic.

Thanks again for taking the time to write. Yeah, two C/O's in one week.. wow, what's come over me? : ) 

Reviewer: SyK Signed
Date: September 19, 2009 Title: Chapter 67: Baby Food

Is it wrong to find a conversation about cannibalism super cute and heart-warming? I don't care, all I need to know that it put the biggest, happiest smile on my face.

Your Jim and Pam really are Jim and Pam (I hope that makes sense...) and Michael is perfect also. Intrusive and weird, but at the same time so affectionate and well-meaning that you can't help but love him.

Author's Response: Thanks! Yeah, I think underneath it all MIchael is really sweet but completely inept at showing it. I'm glad that came across. Thanks again!

Reviewer: SyK Signed 9
Date: September 14, 2009 Title: Chapter 66: The Wedding Stinger

I only just recently got my act together and registered with the archive, so I'm sorry if I don't review each CO individually. They would deserve that, they're all just that good. Not a single one failed to make me laugh. This one was great too, the characters were so spot on, I could hear them and see their manerisms as I read. Good job!

Author's Response: Thank you so much! I wouldn't expect you to review all of these... that's a lot of reviewin"! I'm glad you like and that you think they ring true. Thanks again!

Summary: Jim must deal with a family crisis.  Pam helps him to get through it.
Categories: Jim and Pam, Present, Episode Related, Alternate Universe
Characters: Jim/Pam
Genres: Angst, Romance
Warnings: Adult language, Mild sexual content
Series: None
Chapters: 41 Table of Contents
Completed: No Word count: 79354 Read Count: 184044 ePub Downloads: 47
[Report This] Published: January 21, 2008 Updated: February 05, 2011
Reviewer: SyK Signed
Date: September 18, 2009 Title: Chapter 33: Trust Yourself

Hello again! Since you assured me that two reviews per chapter aren’t frowned upon, I decided to answer to question for general public too. :)

So, I'm in Finland, and I think "intrusive" wasn’t exactly what I meant. Just maybe a little... overly friendly. Suspicious, almost. People here like to keep a certain distance unless they know each other really well. I just can’t see that something like an offer to get nurse coffee would go over too well. Which is actually pretty sad, because it is such a nice gesture.

I'd also like to mention something I forgot yesterday, namely that I really like the way you've written the longing and wanting between Jim and Pam throughout this fic. I always enjoy reading stories where they want to be together so badly but just can't for some reason. It's sexy and you've done it just right.

Author's Response: Thanks, a lot SyK.  Glad you decided to share your thoughts here because it certainly is interesting to see that different perspective.  And thanks for the compliment on the way the longing and wanting is coming across.  I really appreciate it!

Reviewer: SyK Signed
Date: September 17, 2009 Title: Chapter 33: Trust Yourself

First of all, some general observations about this story. It's very good, obviously. The premise is interesting and original, so points for that. I see a lot of quiet strength in Pam in the show, so I think it's very realistic that she could rock for Jim in a time of crisis.

All the hospital stuff you've written is so very fascinating. I keep thinking about the advice Pam gives Jim about dealing with the nurses. It's interesting to me, because where I live, some of that might be considered too intrusive, like the candy and coffee. I can't be sure, but it's my impression. So, your fic has made me think about etiquette and cultural differences quite a bit, so kudos for that too.

Finally, this chapter. Poor Jim. He really has been trough the ringer. Methinks he could really use a hug. And it's fantastic that he finally saw the light re: Pam's feelings for him.

In conclusion: riveting story, some very good writing, can't wait for more.

Author's Response:

Thanks very much, Syk.  I'm glad you like the premise of the story and find Pam's strength to be believable.  Your perspective on the etiquette & cultural differences is interesting.  Can I ask where you are that these would be considered intrusive offers?

I'm working on the next chapter.  Hope to have it up soon.  (TWSS!)

Reviewer: SyK Signed
Date: October 22, 2009 Title: Chapter 34: He Wouldn’t Touch Her

Well, hello there unresolved sexual tension, how nice of you to join us!

VB, that was hot. How did you do it? Make it so hot, when technically, nothing even happens? The way they sleep , holding each other. It's so unbearably erotic and romantic. I love it.

And that cliffhanger. What up 212, indeed. I predict trouble. Jim has to rush to his parents, and Pam will take everything the wrong way and... I can't wait to read more!

Author's Response: Thanks so much!  I think it's often the case that the times when nothing happens are the hottest.  All the build up of that sexual energy with no place to go ... yet.  OK, don't get excited here.  I'm still not sure I can pull off full out smut. 

Reviewer: SyK Signed
Date: October 27, 2009 Title: Chapter 35: You're a Piece of Work, Halpert

Great chapter. Really, really great. You gave us a Karen that the writers abandoned circa Travelling Salesmen: confident, self-respecting and self-aware. She's though, but also vulnerable. And she has every right to be furious and very, very sad. Poor Karen. I do always feel for her, but unfortunately my sympathy mirrors Jim's remorse: it's mingled with relief that she's now out of the way, so to speak.

I found their conversation, both of their reactions and Jim's emotion quite realistic and believable.

I like that you added the detail of Karen seeing the documentary. Really, after seeing Casino Night and The Merger, the other show was bound to drop sooner rather than later. So the break-up was really inevitable.

It was very nice to have two chapters so fast, and thank you for the warning that the next one might take a little longer, so your fans can be prepraded to wait patiently.

*bites nails, fidgets* So, any idea how long our patience will have to last?

Author's Response:

Really, thanks so much for this great, detailed review.  I'm so glad people are liking my Karen. 

The readers of this story are undoubtedly one of the most patient groups of people ever to walk the earth!  I've gone sometimes MONTHS between updates and people are sticking with the story anyway.  I can't tell you how much I appreciate that.  I'm hoping I can have the next one done within 2 weeks.  But I have conflicting plot points to hammer out.  Something is going to have to drop and I can't decide what...

Summary: Past Featured Story

He would close his eyes and remember their time apart, concentrating on it, trying to feel it. Just when he started to connect with the empty feeling, he would open his eyes and look at her sleeping beside him, and slide close enough to her so he could feel her breath, and feel nothing less than a sort of joy.


Categories: Jim and Pam
Characters: Jim, Jim/Pam
Genres: Oneshot
Warnings: Adult language
Series: None
Chapters: 1 Table of Contents
Completed: Yes Word count: 1146 Read Count: 4477 ePub Downloads: 0
[Report This] Published: May 11, 2008 Updated: May 11, 2008
Reviewer: SyK Signed
Date: November 01, 2009 Title: Chapter 1: And I need you more than want you, and I want you for all time

So, I know this is an old story, but I just had to say that this is very interesting to read now that Jim is moving on with his career in Dunder Mifflin, motivated in large part by Pam and that unborn baby of theirs. Which means that you really got Jim's character and what makes him tick. Great writing too. There's such a bittersweet feeling to this that's very appealing to me.

Part of me is sad to know, that short of DM going belly up, there's not much to make them leave the place now. Sometimes it feels almost tragic. Sometimes I realize that really it's just life; you make the best of it, even though many dreams just don't come true. That's one of the reasons that makes me love TO, Jim/Pam and this story -- that realism.

Just some rambling thoughts inspired by Jim's promotion, Pam's career change and this fic...

Summary: Past Featured Story"It's always been Jim and Pam." What if it always was? What twists and turns do a lifelong friendship take? A story of Jim and Pam and love, in varying incarnations.
Categories: Jim and Pam, Alternate Universe
Characters: Andy, Angela, Dwight, Jim, Jim/Pam, Karen, Katy, Michael, Oscar, Pam, Roy
Genres: Childhood, Drama, Drunk Pam/Jim, Fluff, Holiday, Humor, Inner Monologue, Romance, Steamy, Wet Pam/Jim
Warnings: Adult language, Explicit sexual content, Mild sexual content, Violence/Injury
Series: None
Chapters: 25 Table of Contents
Completed: Yes Word count: 42756 Read Count: 99223 ePub Downloads: 40
[Report This] Published: November 29, 2008 Updated: March 03, 2010
Reviewer: SyK Signed 9
Date: January 01, 2010 Title: Chapter 13: Prom Night

I'm really happy you decided to continue. This is a well-written, interesting story, and such fun to read. Your teen aged Jim and Pam ring very true. And if there's more kissy kissing ahead, then so much the better.

The sandwich bit is hilarious. Boys can be so disgusting sometimes, even the best ones.

Reviewer: SyK Signed
Date: September 09, 2009 Title: Chapter 1: Smelden and the Muffin

I hope you're still writing this, because you're version of our favorite couple is very interesting, adorable and touching. It would be so great to learn where they go from here. And you promised us a wedding! :) Well, you sort of did, anyway.

Two by yanana Rated: M [Reviews - 108] 49
Summary: Begins the night of the episode, the Job. A bump in the road for Jim and Pam now that they're finally together.
Categories: Jim and Pam, Present
Characters: Jim/Pam
Genres: Angst, Fluff, Romance, Steamy
Warnings: Moderate sexual content
Series: One to Ten
Chapters: 10 Table of Contents
Completed: No Word count: 36391 Read Count: 40339 ePub Downloads: 17
[Report This] Published: May 02, 2009 Updated: August 06, 2010
Reviewer: SyK Signed
Date: September 15, 2009 Title: Chapter 7: Chapter 7

I'm the 69th reviewer! Wohoo! Anyway, liking this very much indeed. You've managed to find a balance between scared and excited, and you've done it beautifully. A surprise precnancy is not something to take lightly, but I can really see them reacting this way, even so early on. Particularly Jim. After all, he is not a complainer, and I do believe that as long as he has Pam he's ready to take life as it comes and make the best of it. Pam strikes me more as a worrier, as you've written.

One of my favorite lines was: "Wait, when was my kid an amphibian?" Because it very much sounds like Jim.

Summary: In "like a geyser," Jim bumps into Karen and has a panic attack. In "so foreign," Pam cries, sucks at painting, and frets over parenting. Note: There is very little to these stories that is shiny/happy, so please be appropriately beware. Rated K
Categories: Jim and Pam, Present, Episode Related
Characters: Jim, Jim/Pam, Pam
Genres: Angst, Oneshot
Warnings: None
Series: None
Chapters: 2 Table of Contents
Completed: Yes Word count: 1138 Read Count: 3837 ePub Downloads: 2
[Report This] Published: August 08, 2009 Updated: August 08, 2009
Reviewer: SyK Signed
Date: September 08, 2009 Title: Chapter 1: like a geyser

Well, from your note I thought this would be about Jim leaving Pam in the hospital with Karen and then Pam commiting suicide by... drinking paint? Only kidding. Kind of.

But these were both just lovely. I wouldn't call them unhappy or unshiny, really. Just... little moments from life, you know? Is that cheesy? It's just that in real life, people's emotions can be so complicated. Happiness mixed with fear. Bliss with lingering regret. And you write all that very well indeed.

Summary: An AU based on a scene in "Phyllis's Wedding" episode. Spoilers up to that episode. This is what might have happened if Jim would have gone after Pam after she saw him dancing with Karen.
Categories: Jim and Pam
Characters: Dwight, Jim/Pam
Genres: Angst, Romance
Warnings: Adult language, Mild sexual content
Series: None
Chapters: 4 Table of Contents
Completed: Yes Word count: 5139 Read Count: 9366 ePub Downloads: 3
[Report This] Published: September 01, 2009 Updated: September 01, 2009
Reviewer: SyK Signed
Date: September 22, 2009 Title: Chapter 4: Chapter 4

Hey, I just got around to reading this, so the review is little late... I hope you don't mind.

Anyway, I genuinely enjoyed reading this, and will probably come back to it, at least every time I'm brave/stupid enough to re-watch Phyllis' Wedding. If only it could have been like this...

You asked for feedback on you did Jim (um, dirty thoughts...) so here goes. I think you're first person Jim narration is quite good. It mostly sounds like him, especially the doubts and the calling himself stupid but still being unable to resist Pam's pull. The only thing that felt the tiniest bit off for me was his speech on this last chapter. The one starting: “Maybe I wasn’t clear enough the first time..." I feel like Jim might not speak that long or that eloquently about his feelings at that point, still riding high on relief and euphoria. I don't know, he just never struck me as a man of so many words, lovely as the speech itself is. But as always, it's open to interpretation.

And last but not least, Dwight in the bushes was a great detail! So funny and true to the character.

Narrative by yanana Rated: K [Reviews - 18] 10
Summary: I'm totally wiped out, and I'm so stalled with my other story, but this came out because I was extremely drunk and pretty much collapsed onto my bed and popped in Company Picnic. And the fluff just came out of that instantly.

Pam and Jim get to meet someone.
Categories: Jim and Pam, Present
Characters: Jim/Pam
Genres: Fluff
Warnings: None
Series: None
Chapters: 1 Table of Contents
Completed: Yes Word count: 2347 Read Count: 3253 ePub Downloads: 0
[Report This] Published: September 10, 2009 Updated: September 10, 2009
Reviewer: SyK Signed
Date: September 12, 2009 Title: Chapter 1: Chapter 1

This is just fantastic, a proof that fluff can be as real and touching as any other "genre". The line that Mr Bill quotes is my favourite too. Here's to you never becoming tee-total. *raises class*

Summary: My submission for the Taking a Chance Season 2 fanfic-a-thon taking place on alovesosexy. The episode: Office Olympics. My mission: Hook Jim and Pam up. Rating and warning came to fruition.
Categories: Jim and Pam, Episode Related
Characters: Jim/Pam
Genres: Romance
Warnings: Moderate sexual content
Series: None
Chapters: 3 Table of Contents
Completed: Yes Word count: 15946 Read Count: 11416 ePub Downloads: 3
[Report This] Published: September 10, 2009 Updated: October 05, 2009
Reviewer: SyK Signed
Date: October 06, 2009 Title: Chapter 3: In the Land of the Free

Oh noes, smut, I hate that stuff! Okay, so that's a lie.

This was definitely worth the wait. And a great way to start my day. Better than morning coffee. I love the sports details, the want, the urgency, everything. The sex scene was pretty much a perfect combination of naked lust and deep feeling. That's how it's done!

Just one small detail. When Jim and Pam meet the landlady for the first time, you slip into third person narration for a second: "Jim and Pam stepped back as she came out onto the porch..." Maybe it should be Jim and I? I hope you don't mind me mentioning that, it really is only a little thing in an otherwise great story.

Are you done with your part of the series now? Because if you have more stories like this in the works, I'll be a very happy fangirl indeed.

Author's Response: Thank you so much for pointing that out, I have fixed it. So glad that you liked the story. I do have two more working in my busy little brain. I hope to be able to pry them out of there soon! Thanks again!

Reviewer: SyK Signed
Date: September 20, 2009 Title: Chapter 2: Stepping Onto the Podium

There's so much to praise in this chapter, I don't even know where to start. Okay, I'll start with this: your Pam voice is really good. I imagine a first person fic is difficult to get "right" but reading this, I never once had that annoying "Pam wouldn't say that" feeling.

I loved that Pam played Pampong herself! Such a funny idea and really brought some levity to a chapter that deals with some pretty heave themes like breaking up realizing you're in love with someone else. That's how I see Pam; she can keep her sense of humour even in difficult times. The detail of her thinking she couldn't very well ask Angela to clarify to rules was especially inspired.

One more thing and then I'm done. This is getting long (TWSS). I totally agree with your interpretation of Pam's and Roy's relationship.

"By the time he finally got around to extolling the virtues of a honeymoon in Florida instead of Hawaii or even Mexico, I had to stop him. It was just too pathetic. Both of us. Him, thinking that he could work me around just as he always had. Me, realizing that I had let him do this to me over and over again."

That really sums it up quite perfectly.

Author's Response: Wow, SyK, thank you! I was dying to make Pam play a little Pam Pong. ;) I really appreciate your insights. I always try to be careful with Roy because I believe there has to be a reason that she held on for so long. It can't have been all bad IMO. Thanks again for the excellent review!

Reviewer: SyK Signed
Date: September 11, 2009 Title: Chapter 1: Going for the Gold

Office Olympics is one of my favourite episodes, because it really brings home how much Jim and Pam really like each other and enjoy one another's company. And you've used that quite realistically to give Pam her epiphery sooner than happened on the show. Great job. I'm very excited to find out what happens next!

Author's Response: Thank you so much SyK. I love this episode too, and I think that the fun that they have together is the cornerstone of their relationship both as friends and as a couple. I appreciate the review!

Summary: Andy and Oscar are totally the gay version of Jim and Pam.

Categories: Other, Present
Characters: Andy, Ensemble, Jim, Jim/Pam, Oscar, Pam
Genres: Humor, Oneshot, Romance, Slash
Warnings: No Warnings Apply
Series: None
Chapters: 1 Table of Contents
Completed: Yes Word count: 3249 Read Count: 1485 ePub Downloads: 0
[Report This] Published: September 10, 2009 Updated: September 10, 2009
Reviewer: SyK Signed 10
Date: September 11, 2009 Title: Chapter 1: Chapter 1

I have the biggest smile on my face right now. This was simply delightful. And don’t take this the wrong way, but I almost didn’t expect to like it. I love both Andy and Oscar, and see why they would make sense, but lately I’ve started to think that maybe these people should try dating outside the office. And also, Andy is almost too “gay” to be really gay (that probably only makes sense if you live in my head though). But you sold it. You sold it good. Oscarsexual and the way they make each other feel like themselves… That’s exactly how you feel when you fall in love with your unlikely soul mate. This story is so funny and real and touching and I just love it. A++

Author's Response: Aww, thank you so much!  And I am sort of with you on the whole "these people should date outside of the office" thing.  They've kind of oversaturated us with office romances, and I honestly thought I was done with them, but then Oscar/Andy subtext happened and I was back in.  Also, when it comes to Andy. I think he is so desperate for affection that I can see him falling in love with anyone, be them male or female.  He's always had homosexual tendencies, but I don't think I considered him fully bisexual until season 4 when he had that mancrush on Ryan.  Anyway, I am so glad that you enjoyed this fic despite your reservations!  Thanks again for reviewing.

Company by ItsOnlyMeredith Rated: MA [Reviews - 12] 5
Summary: Jim finally has everything he's ever wanted...or does he?
Set in Season 5, so spoilers up through that entire season.
Categories: Jim and Pam
Characters: Jim/Other, Jim/Pam, Pam/Other
Genres: Dream/Fantasy, Steamy
Warnings: Adult language, Explicit sexual content
Series: None
Chapters: 5 Table of Contents
Completed: No Word count: 6714 Read Count: 11030 ePub Downloads: 0
[Report This] Published: September 16, 2009 Updated: October 03, 2009
Reviewer: SyK Signed
Date: October 05, 2009 Title: Chapter 5: The Second Girl

This isn't exactly how I would have imagined Jim's sexual history, but it's insanely entertaining. Hot and funny. And a little disturbing, which isn't always a bad thing.

I really appreciated the first chapter, because your dialog was perfectly in character, so I didn't have any problems believing these are Jim and Pam. You set set the stage for his "obsession" pretty believably too, so while this might not be "my" Jim, I'm willing to go with it for now.

The first girl... I have to say, I don't remember 18 old boys being that good at sex. :) And he shouldn't have pushed the girl if she was uncomfortable, but at least he wasn't too pushy.

Second Girl feels like a transitory chapter and I'm really looking forward to seeing where you take this. Plus I'm totally addicted to Jim/Pam sex, so if you give me one more version of their first time, I'll love you forever.

Author's Response: Thank you!! Very much appreciated. Yeah it's not how I pictured Jim's sexual history either until I started writing. I mostly just wanted to write a threesome fic and then the floodgates opened. I'm still not sure where all this is coming from. My husband is a little concerned...LOL! You know what's interesting? I honestly didn't see that scene as him "pushing" the girl until you just pointed it out. I was so fixated on Jim's almost frantic need to just "get this done already" that I never really considered that he was being too pushy with her. Hmm...interesting. Eye opener for me. Oooh...a version of their first time? Don't know if I'm THAT brave yet. Perhaps. But I will for sure write more Jim/Pam sex of some sort. I kind of have to, right? It would be really crappy of me to go all this way and end it with them at Bible study or something ;)

Summary: Eleven days in June, 2006.
Categories: Jim and Pam, Present
Characters: Jim, Jim/Pam, Karen
Genres: Angst, Drunk Pam/Jim, In Stamford, Inner Monologue, Oneshot
Warnings: Adult language, Moderate sexual content
Series: None
Chapters: 1 Table of Contents
Completed: Yes Word count: 1789 Read Count: 2123 ePub Downloads: 1
[Report This] Published: September 18, 2009 Updated: September 18, 2009
Reviewer: SyK Signed
Date: September 20, 2009 Title: Chapter 1: Chapter 1

Dark, angsty and poetic. I like.

Author's Response: Glad you enjoyed it!

Summary: Jim is out of work. Now complete.
Categories: Jim and Pam
Characters: Jim/Pam
Genres: Angst, Drama, Inner Monologue, Married
Warnings: No Warnings Apply
Series: None
Chapters: 3 Table of Contents
Completed: Yes Word count: 9247 Read Count: 7677 ePub Downloads: 1
[Report This] Published: September 24, 2009 Updated: November 05, 2009
Reviewer: SyK Signed
Date: September 26, 2009 Title: Chapter 1: Chapter 1 Here's That Rainy Day

It's always so great when someone starts a WIP that gives you the ooh, I can't wait to read more -feeling. And I’m certainly eager to see where you’re going with this!

Confession: I used to skip first person fics completely, but boy am I glad I got over that stupid practice. First person can be so good when done right. And you certainly don't do it wrong. ;) Couple of examples: "So yeah, Wednesdays and Fridays? Those are my good days."

And:
"And then one day out of the blue, David Wallace walks into the office and announces that Dunder Mifflin has declared bankruptcy, and that it’s the target of an ongoing federal fraud investigation of some sort. We’re all out of jobs as of right then, including David. No severance, no nothing. Not a good day."

Very good, very Jim. All in all, your Jim comes across very realistic and true to the character, and details like that really add to it. Jim in this reminds me a little of my dad when he was unemployed, so that must mean you've nailed the psychological impacts such a situation can have on a caring kind of family man.

One thing I also like is how you've obviously learned the "show, don't tell" -lesson. There's no need to point out that Jim feels powerless and even emasculated, because it's evident in pretty much everything he does. You don't have to spell out the fact that he's completely devoted to his family and would do anything for them, since his thoughts and actions communicate the fact loud and clear.

Great work! And I'm sorry for writing a novel, here...

Author's Response: Please don't apologize for "writing a novel", SyK. This kind of feedback is incredibly helpful for someone like me who's trying to learn to write better. I very much appreciate your taking the time to comment on what worked (or what didn't) and I'm tickled that you liked it. Your comparing Jim to your dad when he was unemployed made my evening. Huge thanks to you.

Reviewer: SyK Signed
Date: November 03, 2009 Title: Chapter 2: Chapter 2 Ain't It Good to Know (You've Got a Friend)

Another strong chapter. I have to echo others and say that this whole thing is just so achingly real. The situation and their reactions to it.

You've put a lot of attention to getting the details right, and I just love reading a fic where I can tell that the writer has really thought about everything... Does that make sense? Well, in any case, this shows that you want to develop and improve as a writer and that's just all kinds of awesome.

So many things ring so true in this chapter. The fight about the door and the wet clothes that's really about something else. After that in the kitchen: "We both know we’re frustrated, but everything still feels stiff and scripted." Scripted is such a good word to use there, because it immediately conveys what's going on and what they're trying to do.

It makes sense that during a time like this their old communication issues would re-surface. Things like that can make or break a marriage, and it's nice that you've managed to write this in a way that makes it clear that they still love each-other deeply, even though they have real problems in their relationship as well. I'm not sure I express myself right here... What I mean is you've found a balance between saccharine "as long as I have you my love" sentiment and ugly, over the top and OOC fighting.

“I guess what I’m trying to say is that I was your friend before I was your wife." Yes! That's what I'm talking about. I believe in their marriage because they not only love but also like each-other, and that little speech of Pam's sums it up so well, in my opinion.

I have to respectfully disagree with an earlier reviewer and say that selling playground equipment would be a perfect job for Jim, which is probably part of the reason why he wanted it badly enough to get desperate and also really depressed when he "blew" it.

Lastly: Team Boy! Maybe we should get t-shirts?

Author's Response: I've got the t-shirts ordered! Team Boy. (they're blue, of course) *grin* Thank you very much for all your comments, SyK, this is the kind of review that makes a writer's day. I admit I'm kind of obsessive about details, so thanks for noticing - I'm really trying. As a science major, I know I have a lot to learn about this world of words. Regarding the fight- if there's one thing I've learned by being married so long is that fights are never about what they seem to be about on the surface, so I tried to use that here. Friendship and humor are ultimately the glue that keep things working. I thought Jim would like the playground sales, so glad you agree. Again, I can't tell you how much I appreciate your detailed review. Thanks so much. Hope the last chapter doesn't disappoint.

Summary: If he’s being honest with himself, and he rarely is because being honest with himself never turns out to be anything but depressing, he’s been kind of a tool lately.


A brief foray into the World of Toby.
Categories: Other, Present
Characters: Toby
Genres: Oneshot
Warnings: None
Series: None
Chapters: 1 Table of Contents
Completed: Yes Word count: 2164 Read Count: 2116 ePub Downloads: 0
[Report This] Published: September 29, 2009 Updated: September 29, 2009
Reviewer: SyK Signed
Date: September 30, 2009 Title: Chapter 1: I'll go all the way as long as you go first

I really like this too. On the show, Toby is such a mystery to me most of the time. Sometimes I do think he's pretty disturbed individual, if not necessarily a bad person. But I agree with the way you seem to write him: as a somewhat lost soul, who has made some pretty awful judgement calls, but probably capable of happiness in the end. I also like that he has a great deal of self-awareness here.

I wouldn't worry about too much Jim and Pam in this. They're still written very much from Toby's POV so they don't upstage him in his own fic. And if you want to write an understanding piece about the things Toby has been trough lately, it would be hard to completely overlook things such as Thee Knee Incident and Ryan's Minion Affair.

Small Steps by Steph Rated: T [Reviews - 4] 3
Summary: He described everything like he was describing the plot of a movie or a book where the put-upon, unassuming man in the corner became the hero. Another one of in my What the Kids Are Watching/Breakdown/FNF series. (Kelly/Toby)
Categories: Other, Future
Characters: Kelly, Kelly/Other, Michael, Toby, Toby/Other
Genres: Angst, Romance
Warnings: Adult language, Mild sexual content
Series: What the Kids Are Watching
Chapters: 1 Table of Contents
Completed: Yes Word count: 6368 Read Count: 1533 ePub Downloads: 1
[Report This] Published: September 30, 2009 Updated: September 30, 2009
Reviewer: SyK Signed
Date: October 04, 2009 Title: Chapter 1: Chapter 1

I already wrote one review for this, but then it seemed too harsh on poor Toby, so I deleted it. Which clearly makes me insane, because Toby is a fictional and as such can't be hurt by my opinion of him. But anyway.

So, the point of my review was that I agree with you that Toby shows some sings of clinical depression in the show, so I find this AU very believable and realistic. I even bought the Toby/Kelly pairing, and I'm usually one of those boring canon people, who find some AU pairings a bit hard to take seriously. But you know these characters so well, and have their voices down so perfectly, that I have no problem seeing why they would be good together. Toby needs someone to bring out the humorous side of him (which does exist, we just haven't seen it in a while) and Kelly needs someone to balance her moodswings a little, so win-win. And they both need love, so win-win-win.

Also, I would pay good money to see Toby stand up to Michael, even though I have a huge soft spot for Michael.

Author's Response: Thank you! So glad you enjoyed it. I'm glad you bought the pairing. I'm just the opposite - usually canon pairings bore or annoy me so I make up pairings to entertain myself. I'm kind of strange that way. And for some reason Toby and Kelly just makes so much sense to me - she would take such good care of him and he's someone who could really use being taken care of. So yeah - win-win-win! I always thought Toby, especially in Season 4, just seemed so off and that's always how I explained it away - depression. I think it's because Toby is, for some reason, my favorite character so I didn't want to write him off the way other people did, as just weird or creepy. I would love to see Toby stand up for himself or at the very least have something good happen to him, but I don't know if that's ever going to happen. I guess that's why I keep writing. Thanks again for reading and reviewing. I really appreciate it.