Many of you who have been long standing members remember a time when certain stories were awarded a featured place on our archive in the form of a ribbon. This was, and always has been, a subjective preference of the archive admins - their perk for maintaining the site (a job that comes with very little reward.) It is meant to be a nod to stories we particularly enjoy - much like a suggested reading shelf at your local library or bookstore. Nothing more. Nothing less.
Our authors (and members) - we thought - enjoyed this part of the archive until we got many protests about why one story was chosen over the other. It became a real headache and all the fun was sucked out of it.
In short: Ribbons became our own personal Toby Flenderson.
After much deliberation the MTT Fanfic Archive Admins have collectively decided to reinstitute Featured Stories function. Ribbons are back and are, again, merely a perk that admins get for helping to maintain the site.
Here's the kicker: Understand that we will not entertain any grumblings or discuss why one story was picked over another. In our eyes it is akin to begging for reviews. It's not cool and it becomes fun for no one. Featured Stories are selected by personal preference. PERIOD. We believe our tastes are different enough to feature a number of different authors and types of stories, new, old, Jim, Pam and everything in between.
The rules are few: Admins cannot feature a story they have beta'd. Admins cannot feature the same author 2 weeks in a row. Admins will strive to continually feature different authors and genres - including newer authors, stories that feature the ensemble and other pairings besides Jim and Pam.
MTT Members can and should continue to promote their favorite authors and stories in the MTT Forum in the Recommendations and Looking for a Fic threads.
We are thrilled to be able to highlight our favorites again. We hope you are too.
--xoxoxo on September 17, 2009 08:20 am 2 Comments
Thank you for your patience as we work this out!
--EmilyHalpert on September 10, 2009 05:46 pm 0 Comments
Those School Days (Shannon) -
We already know Pam was an art nerd and Roy was the football star. Jim played basketball and was "sooo dorky!" but is there more that we don't know? Did Jim have a "Pam" before Pam? How did the jock end up with the art freak? And why in the world is Michael the way that he is?
--EmilyHalpert on August 09, 2009 03:19 pm 0 Comments
Welcome to MTT! We are always happy to see an influx of new authors - after all - we were all new once ourselves.
One of the things I enjoy most about fanfic is eagerly anticipating the next chapter of a work in progress. It's a great way for a new author to gain a following.Â
However, in my years as an archive admin I can confidently say I have learned that quantity is not always quality.  It most certainly can be but more often than not - an author pulling his/herself in too many directions causes the overall work to suffer.Â
Focusing on one story at a time helps to showcase your best work.
I completely understand that it is so easy to get caught up in the excitement of posting a new fic. As I said - I was there once myself. But it is not only better for you as an author (in terms of getting feedback) - it is sort of unwritten protocol not to flood the archive by posting multiple fics at the same time.
It's important to remember that everyone is looking for their chance in the spotlight. New authors AND those who have been at it awhile all thrive on feedback and exposure to the members of the archive. It's important to give everyone a fair chance.
Just some food for thought.
--xoxoxo on August 02, 2009 12:45 pm 0 Comments
If you are not sure how to label your stories, please feel free to ask on the message boards or send a message to a MTT administrator or archivist of your choice. Â
Thank you!
--Morning Angel on July 29, 2009 05:56 pm 0 Comments
Rain (bonorocks) -
Jim and Pam have a moment in the rain. Define "moment" any way you want - romantic, angsty, comical, etc.
Happy Birthday (Obsessed_romantic49) -
Any coupling (preferably JAM) on their birthday.
StacheFlash (nomadshan) -
Branch Wars. Pam likes the mustache. Jim obliges. (100 words)
Instant Messaging (Snoznoodle) -
It can be Jim and Pam planning a prank, a casual conversation, anything you like.
Mute (EllaBella) -
Since Pam and Jim already communicate non-verbally, I would love to see a fic where there are no words, just actions.
And as a reminder, if you have challenge ideas, you can submit them in the challenges thread on the forum, or email them to us at morethanthat1@gmail.com. Thanks!
--EmilyHalpert on July 13, 2009 04:00 am 0 Comments
Summer is in full swing now, and its sweltering outside. I praise the gods of AC this time of year.
Anyways, onto the challenges. Both challenges are prompts - a list of word, and use as many of the words as you can.
Simple right?
Word I (sharky) -
Table. Pineapple. Force. Court. Lost. Rescue. Sky. Entourage. Giant. Vote. Night. Party. Light. End
Word II (PamPongChamp) -
Running. Song. Death. Leaving. Reunion. Sports. Musical. What if. Wish. First Date. Let me tell you a story. Late. Friends. Something more. Dying to know. Secret. Lie to me. Why. Distration. Knight. Perfect. Shy. Smile. Promise. Brilliant. Shine. Moonlight. Homework. Color. Books. Time. Do I know you. Beach. Sunshine.
And as a reminder, if you have challenge ideas, you can submit them in the challenges thread on the forum, or email them to us at morethanthat1@gmail.com. Thanks!
--EmilyHalpert on June 21, 2009 01:55 pm 0 Comments
--Morning Angel on June 06, 2009 06:45 pm 0 Comments
I could be something as simple as steam from a green teapot or an overheated radiator...or it could be exactly what you are thinking.
A Day At The Beach -
Anything involving the beach - could be Lake Scranton, or the ocean or even Jim taking Pam to see the Pacific for the first time.
And as a reminder, if you have challenge ideas, you can submit them in the challenges thread on the forum, or email them to us at morethanthat1@gmail.com. Thanks!
--EmilyHalpert on May 31, 2009 05:20 pm 0 Comments
Please do not submit them on your own. It helps us space them out and properly feature them if you email them to us first. You can email them to us at morethanthat1@gmail.com or submit them in the challenges thread on the forum.
Thanks for your cooperation!
--EmilyHalpert on May 27, 2009 04:19 pm 0 Comments
Pam's Pregnancy
Plus, here are a bunch of other challenges that can be related to the past two episodes - at least vaguely. Come on, I'm begging you to write here.
2036
Bubble Bath
Daddy Jim
DIY Jim
DM Tennis Tournament
Empty Nest
First Time For Everything
Pam's Mom
Dancing
Dancing Pam
Going To The Chapel
--EmilyHalpert on May 16, 2009 06:32 am 0 Comments
The season finale is this week? How did that happen? Doesn't it seem like just yesterday they got engaged? Now they're all talking about eloping... well, even if they decided a big fancy wedding was better. But man, the season has flown by!
Relations -
Michael is related to someone in the office.
Dancing (Strider) -
Write a story based upon the following quotation:
A dance is always a good idea.
Any characters, any time period.
Jealous Jim (The Lurker)-
Nothing gets me hotter than jealous Jim. Like Pam dating Toby during S3 and/or David Wallace (after his divorce of course). Pam and DW = sizzle to me. I love Toby and DW I guess that's why I want to see Pam with them. Anyway wring his heart out (Jim) make it hurt. then let Pam fix it. Add in Ryan and - whoa.
Another Decade (Big Tuna)-
I'd really like to see some stuff on Jim and Pam in a different decade. Can't you just imagine hippie 60's Pam and Disco 70's Jim? Or better yet, 80's hair band Jim? I just think it'd be cute to see them written in to the common ideas about those periods in time, or even how they get through some tough situations together. I can see it now...Nurse Pam taking care of wounded soldier Jim in World War II...*sigh*
And as a reminder, if you have challenge ideas, you can submit them in the challenges thread on the forum, or email them to us at morethanthat1@gmail.com. Thanks!
--EmilyHalpert on May 10, 2009 06:36 pm 0 Comments
Write a strory based upon the following quotation: He was mine first. Any characters, any time period.
Hands Down (yanana) -
I've been listening to "Hands Down" by Dashboard Confessional a lot lately, and there's a part of the song that reminds me so much of Jim and Pam. I'd love to see a story based around it.
Lover Mourns (AngryHaiku)-
There's a Yeats poem that Karen/Jim/Pam always makes me think of; I'd love to see what the giant brains around here make of it:
The Lover Mourns For The Loss of Love:
Pale brows, still hands and dim hair,
I had a beautiful friend
And dreamed that the old despair
Would end in love in the end:
She looked in my heart one day
And saw your image was there;
She has gone weeping away.
And as a reminder, if you have challenge ideas, you can submit them in the challenges thread on the forum, or email them to us at morethanthat1@gmail.com. Thanks!
--EmilyHalpert on April 21, 2009 06:04 pm 0 Comments
Overheard (TV Buffy) -
Jim and Pam are having a conversation that they think is private, but someone somewhere is listening. It could be happening after hours in the office, at a moment when they mistakenly think their microphones are off, at a drive-through window,...
Caught Red Handed (Morning Angel) -
Jim & Pam get caught in the act, whatever that might be: playing a prank on Dwight, making fun of Michael, making out in the parking lot,... Jim & Pam are so sneaky and snarky, but something is bound to bounce back in their face at some point.
Stranded (tizzy)-
For this challenge I would like to see Jim and Pam stranded some place they're not supposed to be, possibilities include Dunder-Mifflin, Department Stores, etc.
And as a reminder, if you have challenge ideas, you can submit them in the challenges thread on the forum, or email them to us at morethanthat1@gmail.com. Thanks!
--More challenges on April 06, 2009 06:36 am 0 Comments
Andy Before Stamford (lisahoo) -
This isn't totally Jim/Pam-centric, but how about how some of the things in S1 or S2 might have happened differently if Andy were around? I'm thinking "Booze Cruise"/"The Secret", but also Christmas & Valentine's Day. Either with or without the relationship with Angela. Whatever works for you.
Bubble Bath (Sally_Halpert) -
I’d love to read a Jim and Pam bubble bath fic. Make of that what you want, it doesn’t have to be smutty - it could be cute. Hell it doesn’t even have to be Jim AND Pam, it could be Jim giving their baby their first bath or Jim running Pam a bubble bath after a crappy day… see, I’m not fussy.
Murder Mystery -
There has been a murder in the office. It's up to you to decide who is expendable and what chaos will ensue.
Empty Nest (Jenn) -
We've all read our share of babyfic's. Write a story about Jim and Pam's son/daughter's leaving for college and/or their experiences while there, as well as how Mom and Dad are doing back home.
And as a reminder, if you have challenge ideas, you can submit them in the challenges thread on the forum, or email them to us at morethanthat1@gmail.com. Thanks!
--EmilyHalpert on March 22, 2009 06:06 pm 0 Comments
It sure seems that everyone on the interwebs has been hit by the cold this past week. Or at least, a majority of my friends have. So I consider that everyone (everyone important that is). Hope everyone is feeling better soon.
So, since that seems to be the theme (at least in my life), here are three challenges vaguely related to being sick.
Injury (Cecelia) -
Severe, mild...doesn't really matter. Almost losing someone or seeing them hurt can make you realize how important and irreplaceable they were to you in the first place.
Drunk Michael (snozdoodle) -
We've seen Pam and Jim drunk and let's face it they were pretty darn funny. So what would a drunk Michael be like?
Jim To The Rescue (JennInTheCity) -
Pam's a modern woman who can take care of herself, but sometimes Jim just can't help himself. Someone's bugging Pam and Jim comes to the rescue.
And as a reminder, if you have challenge ideas, you can submit them in the challenges thread on the forum, or email them to us at morethanthat1@gmail.com. Thanks!
--EmilyHalpert on March 14, 2009 04:54 pm 0 Comments
It totally snowed last night. It was a-maz-ing /Kelly.
Anyways, here are some challenges that take place either in the past or future. Something to get us through these last few days before the next episode.
Star Crossed Lovers (rdhp12) -
The children of Dwangela and Jam meet and fall in love. Could Jim really stand it if his little girl married Dwight K. Schrute the 4th? Could Angela live with bridemaids wearing green dresses at the wedding? Pure chaos ensues in the houses of Schrute and Halpert.
2036 (sicokitty) -
It's 2036, and our intrepid duo are nearing retirement age (give or take five years). Where are they thirty years in the future? Where have they been? Did they get together? Or, are they reflecting on loves lost?
Prior Meeting (McGigi) -
Two employees met before landing their job at Dunder-Mifflin, but they don't remember ever crossing paths.
And as a reminder, if you have challenge ideas, you can submit them in the challenges thread on the forum, or email them to us at morethanthat1@gmail.com. Thanks!
--EmilyHalpert on March 02, 2009 07:15 am 0 Comments
Karen - Moving On (JennInTheCity) -
I'd love to read more about Karen getting her "happily ever after" that we saw in "Lecture Circuit, Part One." I was listening to Near To You by A Fine Frenzy and the lyrics really made me think about Karen and the state she must have been in after Jim left her and she met her now-husband. Any one up for writing a nice Karen story?
Tattoo (This Much Is True) -
Pam's (or any character's, really) tattoo. How do others find out about it? How do others react to it? When did they get it? Is there a story behind it? And so on and so forth.
And as a reminder, if you have challenge ideas, you can submit them in the challenges thread on the forum, or email them to us at morethanthat1@gmail.com. Thanks!
--EmilyHalpert on February 23, 2009 10:43 am 0 Comments
I wanted some challenges about Jim and Pam's relationship, and how their parents' are involved. So, here they are:
Pam's Mom (Emily) -
Any stories with Pam's mom? Especially after Stress Relief?
Meet The Parents (iciebloo) -
The first time Jim met Pam's parents, or vise versa.
Excuse Me, Mr. Beesly? (Eers02) -
Jim asking Pam's dad (or mom and dad together) for Pam's hand in marriage. I think it was mentioned in a few of the post-WL stories, but I want to read about the event itself. You know Jim is the romantic type of guy who would do such a thing. Did he pop the question to her folks on the sly when Pam was around, or while she was away at Pratt? Via phone call or visit in person? How would they react after their daughter's first never-ending engagement?
Remember, Pam's folks supposedly live a few hours away from Scranton, so it would be extra effort for Jim to drive all the way to wherever-it-is to ask.
And as a reminder, if you have challenge ideas, you can submit them in the challenges thread on the forum, or email them to us at morethanthat1@gmail.com. Thanks!
--EmilyHalpert on February 07, 2009 05:41 am 0 Comments
Just some challenges to pass the time...
Pam's Quirks (JennInTheCity) -
In "Chair Model," Jim lists several of Pam's quirks (messy, klutzy and spills everything, keeps the TV too loud) as reasons why she might not be a good roommate. How did Jim come across these quirks? And what other Pam quirks has he discovered?
Sketches (JamFan4) -
Something inspired by this deleted scene from Business Trip.
A New Moment -
When Jim asks Pam when she knew that she liked him, she says it was when he told her that the yogurt she was about to eat had expired. He asks if they can make a new one. She says no. What if they could make a new one? What would it be?
Exploding Soda (Elle) -
I can't be the only one curious about the incident just off Exit 17 at the infamous Fairview rest stop.
And as a reminder, if you have challenge ideas, you can submit them in the challenges thread on the forum, or email them to us at morethanthat1@gmail.com. Thanks!
--EmilyHalpert on January 18, 2009 05:02 pm 0 Comments
Walk Hard (Becky215) -
This lyric from Walk Hard's "Beautiful Ride" just begs a Jim-themed fic...
"It's about the good walk and the hard walk, and the young girls you've made cry. It's about makin' a little music every day till you die. It's a beautiful ride."
Pleasure is Spontaneity (time4moxie) -
Write a story based on this quote by Germaine Greer
"The essence of pleasure is spontaneity."
The Five Element Challenge (Morning Angel) -
Write a story in which you incorporate the five following elements in a meaningful manner:
1) A waterfall
2) Leather gloves
3) Salsa
4) A zebra
5) A ten-year reunion
Also, you can always look at older challenges. There are so many good ones that I would love to read responses to... so please, write and help support my fic habit!
And as a reminder, if you have challenge ideas, you can submit them in the challenges thread on the forum, or email them to us at morethanthat1@gmail.com. Thanks!
--EmilyHalpert on January 11, 2009 05:43 pm 0 Comments
Dancing Pam (Shannon) -
At Phyllis' and Bob's wedding, Jim commented upon Pam's dancing skills. Write a story explaining how Jim found out that Pam is a dorky dancer.
Remember her...? (Jam876) -
I want to see the return of Katy. A much snarkier, bitter Katy. Let's see some interaction with her and Pam!!
DIY Jim (Sally_Halpert) -
Jim's doing up the house he bought for him and Pam. Kind of a basic challenge idea I know, but just the thought of DIY Jim makes me tingle.
And as a reminder, if you have challenge ideas, you can submit them in the challenges thread on the forum, or email them to us at morethanthat1@gmail.com. Thanks!
--EmilyHalpert on January 05, 2009 06:39 am 0 Comments
The Weather Outside is Frightful (BeckySue) -
A winter storm hits Scranton and its surrounding areas. What do the people from the office do when they can't make it in to work? Who makes the effort to actually go in and who just waits for the ice to melt? Most importantly, what are Jim and Pam up to when Jack Frost comes knocking on the door?(It's up to the author who they want to follow on the snow day.)
Then there is this thread, which lists some amazing holiday stories.
Happy Holidays everyone!
And as a reminder, if you have challenge ideas, you can submit them in the challenges thread on the forum, or email them to us at morethanthat1@gmail.com. Thanks!
--EmilyHalpert on December 18, 2008 06:06 pm 0 Comments
1) Holly-Days (Puff) -
I'd love to see a challenge involving Michael and Holly and the holidays. Maybe one sends the other a gift, or they talk on the phone, or one decides to surprise the other on Christmas. A bonus would be for Michael to make a bunch of lame Christmas jokes about Holly's name (like in GT- "If we hung Holly from the ceiling, we could kiss under her." Umm, I think you mean Mistletoe there, Michael).
2) Wallace's Party (Mandy) -
I am yet to find a fic detailing the Christmas party that Ryan alluded to when Jim spoke to David Wallace about the website. I think it would be great to see the party; Ryan would be there, Jim and Pam are a couple and Karen also attending as the Utica Branch Manager - and I love fics with David Wallace :)
And as a reminder, if you have challenge ideas, you can submit them in the challenges thread on the forum, or email them to us at morethanthat1@gmail.com. Thanks!
--EmilyHalpert on December 08, 2008 05:48 am 0 Comments
1) Snowy Times (Morning Angel) -
I'd love to read a story involving Jim, Pam, and snow. They could have a snowball fight, go on a ski trip, get lost in a snowstorm...
2) Mistletoe (Grape Soda) -
Anyone (specifcally Jim/Pam) finds themself under the mistletoe during S2 Christmas. Remember, Jim was still with Katy, Pam with Roy, Ryan and Kelly weren't together, and Jan and Michael were still all weird.
3) Home For the Holidays (Morning Angel)-
How do Dunder-Mifflinites celebrate Thanksgiving or Christmas? I conceived of this challenge as a great occasion to meet the employees' families and get a bit more insight into their lives outside the office.
And as a reminder, if you have challenge ideas, you can submit them in the challenges thread on the forum, or email them to us at morethanthat1@gmail.com. Thanks!
--EmilyHalpert on December 01, 2008 06:14 am 0 Comments