Jim Halpert is a high school English teacher starting a new life at a new school in a new town.
There is so very much to love here that I'm not sure where to start. You've created such a REAL world here. The way you've drawn characters like Father Chimento and the other lit. teacher...I can so CLEARLY see them all. And the way you're using footnotes to further capture some element of their personalities is unbelievably precise -- check out our girl Pam for instance! I LOVED the footnote about her grabbing him by the sweater and just planting one on him. What struck me the most about this chapter was that even though it was so sparse - it was amazingly RICH. That one moment between Jim and Pam at the water fountain tells us so much about both Jim AND Pam's characters and where they are in their relationship. Then there's the beautiful parallel you draw between Jim and Pam and their relationship to the school...both shaking things up a bit. Both making a huge impact on the students. And how wonderful seeing them through the kid's eyes.
And let's just take a moment to reflect on how HOT FOR TEACHER I AM!!!! Jim with the drumming of the fingers against the mouth..jeez. Jim with the poetry...double-Jeez.
I've said it once and I'll continue saying it...this and YOU are fabulous, my dear.
HOT FOR TEACHER! You crack me up - but who could resist that, right?
Okay, I'm kind of still laughing about when I first presented the idea that I had about a change of format for this chapter. I looked back at our conversation and I was up in the air about everything. I had the idea of doing this BI-style, but I was thinking about switching POV to first-person Pam and I was open to ANYTHING and I know that makes you want to hit me so hard! You finally said DO WHATEVER YOU WANT! So, I want to thank you for this beautiful partnership we have!! :-D
Seriously, I know I've had some whacked out ideas - thank you for working through those with me and always being so positive and encouraging. LY
We did get lucky...but I have to tell you I got the better end of the deal with this one. Being your beta has been incredible, not just because I got a sneak peek at greatness with every chapter, but also because it taught ME so much about what really good writing is. This story was everything a good story should be...it was outside of the box thinking...it was creative without being full of itself...and that's such a hard line to walk. It was romantic without ever being cliche...
And most of all -- it kept the characters in mind. Even though this was completely AU, you kept the core of who these two people are very, very true.
You make me want to be a better writer.
This is just as good as it gets. :-)
Here's what you did for me: To me, you hold the book on these characters, in their best and purest form. I come along and want to put funny hats on them and make them dance and I look to you to say whether they can or not. Also, I always want to please you with whatever I'm writing. I trust that reaction from you so much and even though, at this point, I can almost predict it, I still want it and you always surprise me with something I hadn't thought of. I know this made you crazy because I posted chapter 1 without having rewritten chapter 2 and then after I posted 2 and said "I really don't have any idea where this can go, but let's go crazy - what do you think?" Talk about testing your nerves and mine! But it was good to get the blood going, wasn't it? :-)
So glad we keep trying to write something together - someday! Love and thanks and a big smooch.
Pam always calls her mom at the big moments. Takes place immediately following "Weight Loss."
awww...i love you for this. :-)
Author's Response: I love you right back! Thank you!
This is officially the best thing ever. You officially my favorite person. The end. :-)
Author's Response: And when will I get to see something officially new about Miss Jillybean? (You made me like a babyfic. It\'s your job to continue to feed the beast.) <3
Haha! Pish-tosh indeed! That was great!...I love the whole idea of them not being able to go anywhere quite yet, and the little details like Jim's hand shaking as he signed the forms and how he tried to listen to the nurse but just couldn't...and then that last little bit when Pam incredulously asked if he was really going to try and beat her today...PERFECT.
Oh, AND there's something quite romantic about their conception happening on just a random day...nothing "epic". Great!
I'm so sorry I'm late to replying to you - and also sorry you haven't gotten a review from me yet re: your babysitting chapter. It was amazing btw.
Thank you so much for motivating me. :)
::sigh:: so glad you decided to join the fun, Hugs. The part where they started talking about kids...I was gone. Here's hoping we get some kind of conversation like this in the not too distant future. Lovely.
Author's Response: I'm glad too. :) I don't think we'll have quite the same conversation but a little variation would be lovely. Thanks so much for reading (and the sweet review).
Oh I LOVE this. First off let me say thank you for explaining to me how it seemed as if Pam had never been to Jim's parent's house anymore. Your explanation about tall relatives, totally put that into perspective. Completely plausible, so thank you! I found myself "awing" all over the place and then literally laughing out loud when the chair broke.
Oh and thank you so much for that basketball images...like Colette I'm s sucker for that boy and a ball (love the image of him holding it against his hip...yum)
I love that you loved it. :) That part annoyed me too - so I had to her bring it up.
As I said before - there was no hoop on the garage - so I knew there had to be one hiding somewhere. There should never be a shortage of basketball fics. :)
::sigh:: PERFECT. There's a moment from the Surplus when Pam is at the copier and Jim says "we'd love to have you" ...I swear this unborn chapter was the subtext of that. Love it! I'm so excited your plan is to continue this!
Author's Response:
Well that certainly works for me!
It's been fun picking moments from the episodes to write about. I'm so happy you're coming along for the ride! Thanks LoveFool!
Pam thinks about the reasons this is right.
This is poetry. So much beautiful imagery here and I love the idea of Pam having wanted this forever. The way you describe her looking back down at the road before when she was engaged to Roy...just wonderful. Thanks for joining in the post-Engagement frenzy. I was hoping you would!
what a sweetheart Jim is, finding a place for all her things...each of them surprising each other...Very sweet.
Author's Response: Thanks LoveFool :)
oh I love the intimacy of this. Such a perfect mid of the night moment for them. You've managed to make this FEEL like 3a.m...wonderful.
This is going to be so much fun! Already your characterizations are RIGHT on with each of them. And the detail is incredible. I feel like I'm right there...I can feel the Indian summer and smell the moonshine! ;-) And how much did I love that detail about Jim's habit with Pam's ring...FABULOUS. Can't wait till the next installment.
Author's Response: Hi, LoveFool- thanks for the review and your kind words. I also can\'t wait for the next installment, as Annabel is writing it, and, really, this is all just an elaborate plan to get her to post something. Shh. Don\'t tell.
I am really enjoying this. You've captured the absolute essence of Angela, and honestly that deviled-eggs beginning was HILARIOUS. Can't wait for the next installment.
Oh this is very nice. I especially loved the scene with David Wallace -- I think you really nailed his voice. Can't wait to see where you take this.
Ok...when he said "I just want to be your guy", I nearly died. This was beyond romantic. Very, very good, JAMhands. I loved this!
Gosh I love this. That first line of Jim's when he tells the cameras to leave...something about that -- very hot. And the West Nowhere, Texas line is a classic. Loved your characterizations and beautifully written. Well done!
Author's Response: Hi LoveFool! Thank you so much. I don\'t usually write anything where the cameras are around, so I\'m glad that bit worked for you. Not that I want to torture him or anything but I do like Upset!Jim. His face just killed me in that last scene. Anyway, I\'m glad you liked it! :)
I'm still loving this story! What a prick that Ryan is...I think my favorite moment was when Dwight turned the tables and aimed the mace at Ryan -- just the perfect touch there. Love the bond between Jim and Dwight here. I can't wait for your next installment...bring on Friday night!
Author's Response: Aw thanks LoveFool, I\'m glad you liked Dwight\'s response, because it felt right to me. And yup, Ryan did have Jim on his list, so I\'m thinking he would take this opportunity.\r\n\r\nI appreciate your comments and thanks for reading.
Oooh I am SO sucked in right now. So glad you've already posted chapter 2! Oh man when Jim told her to call Alex, I literally put a hand to my heart...he loves her SO much! Uh...ok, on to chapter 2.
Author's Response: Oh, you made my morning. I\'m so glad you \"got\" that about Jim sucking it up and telling her to call Alex. It was my favorite part. *SapsRUs*\r\n\r\nThanks, LoveFool.
OMG, you have to get it done NOW! lol. This has seriously got me on the edge of my seat. You really know how to up your stakes. Love it!....and Ryan - ICK.
Author's Response: Thanks LoveFool. I hope to get it done in a couple of days, it\'s not a long story (as soon as I can get a few real life things attended to)\r\n\r\nYeah Ryan is always just -ICK. The question is, how ICK?\r\n\r\nYour review is very appreciated!
"Yeah," Jim said slowly as he shrugged his shoulders. "How do you suppose Van Gogh managed to paint this and not be in New York?" He took a second to enjoy the look on Alex's face. "Wait, there aren't even any stars in New York, are there?" Jim tried to keep at least a hint of humor in his voice. "Wouldn't have happened."
Best.Line.Ever. I missed this story! I cant wait for the next installment. These two sure can't catch a break!
I think I have a new theory...
Hope you update soon. :-)
wow...that Ryan is a PRICK! Jeez louise. I want him to come back to town just so they can have his scary ass arrested! Uh...poor Jim. I can't believe you're going to continue to torture them in the next chapter...and here I thought Pam was just busy kissing it and making it better! ;-)
I'm intrigued...bring on the finale! ;-)
Hmmm...I'm getting a sinking feeling about New York. Can't wait to see how you wrap this up...uh, this was fluff of the very best kind. PUPPIES = LOVE.
Author's Response: Hey LoveFool, I\'m glad you enjoyed the fluff, and yeah, who can NOT love puppies? You may be right about New York. *cue dissonant music* Thanks for the review!
Woah...first of all, how were you possibly thinking that this would be the last chapter!? lol. Wow...actually I wasn't expecting it to be Alex. For some reason I thought it was a professor or something. Wow, wow, wow...poor Jim. Poor Pam. And now why the heck is Ryan there! Uh...so many questions!
I can't wait to see what happens next!!!!
Officer Scarne. ::snort::
Uh, poor Jim with a collapsed lung! This is scary stuff. I really can't imagine what else you've got up your sleeve here. Hope we don't have to wait too long! :-)
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