10 [Report This]Date: February 17, 2009 09:06 pm Title: Burn
Poor Karen, kinda ;) eeeep love it.
Date: April 03, 2007 08:59 am Title: Burn
It really hit home when Karen realized that Jim actually forgot she was there. I actually forgot to break up with my then boyfriend when I met my husband. Oops.
I loved the parallels of the non-answers. Sure Pam may give them to Roy and Jim, but Jim also gives them to Karen and sometimes even Pam.
Author's Response: Ha! Great story about meeting your husband! That is love.
Date: March 30, 2007 09:40 pm Title: Burn
Loving this story. It comes off as very real and plausible. Can't wait for chapter 6.
Author's Response: Yay! I'm glad it's plausible even with all the drama.
Date: March 25, 2007 03:14 pm Title: Burn
Wow. That was awesome. You actually had me sort of feeling bad for Karen. I did not expect that [/Pam] The ending was touching and heartbreaking at the same time...... just greatness all around shan! I can't wait to read more! PS partial christmas fluff will be on your way sometime real soon!
Author's Response:
YAYYYYYYYYY! I am ridiculously excited for Christmas fic! Like, way too much to be considered healthy.
Thanks so much for the review :)
Date: March 25, 2007 09:21 am Title: Burn
This is very well done. The characters are acting in believable ways, which is what I look for most in a genre fic.
I like the twist about Karen and Roy each being told about different kisses--it allowed you to escalate the situation when I didn't think it was possible.
I especially appreciate the touches of humor throughout (JET SKIS, Schrute babies, etc), and the use of metaphors like the mosquito and the burner to describe Karens feelings.
Looking forward to the next chapter!
Author's Response:
Oh, thanks so much! I'm glad it's still believable for you :)
I take a ridiculous amount of time creating metaphors, so I love to hear when they work! And the humor is the most fun to write, but the most nerve wracking because I'm never sure it will translate. Thank you!
Date: March 24, 2007 11:57 pm Title: Burn
So, I was waiting for this to stop being a WIP, but when I beta'd a chapter, you got me hooked! Damn you! Great Karen POV in this, I loved Karen's burnt hand and Jim's snow globe. Keep the crack coming!
Author's Response: Hahaha! It was my evil plan :) Thanks!
Date: March 23, 2007 10:01 am Title: Burn
This story, plus a tuna sub, three chocolate chip cookies, and a can of sprite, make lunchtime very happy. And although my tuna sandwhich is very delicious, it is severly lacking in the action/jam/everything content that makes this story amazing.
finally getting around to reading the most recent chapter, and my brain has to go ruin it by thinking of history. because we just talked about being shell-shocked. so now i think of wwi.
haha, i loved karen saying its about as useful as shouting a tv screen... yeah, i know that feeling. no matter how much i scream at the tv, they just don't listen. i am sure i could make jim and pam happier if they did.
anyways, i think my best reaction is just.... speechlessness. because it was so amazing. i loved how you wrote karen, so believable. and there is so much detail and action its amazing, and then the last bit when jimand pam are alone, and its just... yeah, speechless. even though i managed to type quite a lot while being speechless.
Author's Response:
Haha! Thanks Emily :)
I'm glad that you liked the TV screen metaphor, and the ending with Jim and Pam. Especially since it's all Jim and Pam from here to the end of the story!
Date: March 22, 2007 10:26 pm Title: Burn
I'mcatching up and this chapter was AMAZING! I'm completely addicted and can only hope the show has you on retainer for this storyline :o)
Author's Response: Ha! Don't I wish! Hey, if you happen to know Greg Daniels, but in a good word for me :)
Date: March 22, 2007 05:22 am Title: Burn
First of all - I got scared for a second thinking I'd never reviewed this story before. I actually searched through the reviews and was relieved to find I had....just not consistently.
Bad me.
I love how you wrote this last bit. I want Roy and Karen removed as obstacles - no question. And I don't "care" about Karen per se. I don't really know her well enough to care (just my opinion). I usually see her character only in relation to the way I see Jim and Pam relate to her and why she's there in the first place. I see them as ordinary decent people who want to do the right thing but are so hurt and confused they muck it up repeatedly. And sometimes - during the course of that - steamroll over other people because they can't see straight.
It's not that Karen's bad - it's that Jim doesn't love her. Their relationship has obviously been flawed from the start. And with Pam standing right there with him - she doesn't stand a chance.
Whenever I get rid of Karen I always try to remember it's not really her fault she got caught up in this communications nightmare. I'm so glad you did the same thing here. It's the most realistic scenario I think.
OK...ramble much??? Ahem. So. Really good realistic version of events. And then ending? Reminiscent their hands separating during GWH - but with what I suspect will be better results.
In a nutshell? Loving the story. Can't wait for more.
Author's Response:
Oh, I love the way that you explained Jim and Pam hurting others and each other. And you are 100% right on Karen. She's not necessarily a bad person, but Jim does not love her. Not even close.
Thanks so much! I'm a huge fan, so getting a review from you makes me grin like a dope :)
Date: March 21, 2007 06:43 pm Title: Burn
Shan, Sorry that it took me so long to review; so I loved this chapter (of course), and returning the favor of a long review, because I am also addicted to your work.....
"All of the turmoil unfolding is so far beyond her comprehension that there might as well be a pane of glass in front of her, separating her from the drama."
I love this whole section about Karen not knowing how to respond because it is outside of her realm of comprehension. She is in the middle of the story, although she just didn't know it.
"That is how Karen feels, but instead of her body it’s her mind. Her mind is screaming at her to just leave, take her hand off the stove, walk away. But she’s just standing on his stoop, staying in this relationship, leaving her hand on the burner, and it’s getting worse and worse. She’s hurting herself, but she can’t force herself to move."
This is just brilliant and beautiful and I love how you carried it through the entire story. It actually made me feel alot of sympathy for Karen - which doesn't usually happen to me. I also like that Jim was on mental overload, and that Pam waited and hung back to let Karen and Jim "talk".
My stomach also got all flippy with the "how did you tell Pam you had feelings for her" - was it me or didn't you just want to hear Jim say it again!! I know I do....
“Hey, um, you have a little blood,” she says suddenly, pointing toward his face.
“Where?” he asks, raising his hand to his cheek.
“Right about… here,” she says, motioning at his entire face and neck.
SO JAM - I can totally see this being something they would say to each other.....
"Their palms kiss for just an instant before separating again. " Just awesome, seriously maybe speechless on this.
Great Great Work! I can't wait for the rest. Also thanks for your help with Courage, I hope you liked the new ending.....courtesy of your brilliant suggestion....
Author's Response:
Thank you, thank you, thank you!! I love your stuff as well, of course :)
I had so much fun writing the little blood moment (which sounds creepy when I say it that way...) and the palms part. Hee! Thank you and I LOVE the new ending of Courage. Love it. Am on my way to review your story very soon.
Date: March 21, 2007 03:33 pm Title: Burn
Excellent chapter. So glad Karen is out of the picture.
Author's Response: Thanks! Me too!
9 [Report This]Date: March 21, 2007 01:21 pm Title: Burn
a pane of glass in front of her, separating her from the drama...it’s about as useful as screaming at the characters on the television screen
Great metaphor. But this is a killer line:
Jim looks at her as if he’s only just remembered that she’s still standing there. And Karen knows right then. It’s over.
Karen is sick of the non-answers. Sick of him tiptoeing around the question.
Ooooo. Jim acting like Pam, with the non-answers and the evasions? Brilliant!
This is making me into someone I’m not. I’m pretty sure that it’s doing the same thing to you
Wonderful insight.
It feels like he’s living in a snow globe that’s just been vigorously shook.
How do you keep coming up with these brilliant metaphors?
I will try my hardest not to make you wait so long for chapter six :)
ARRRRGGGHHH! Hurry! I'm on pins and needles here!
Author's Response: YAY! You are like in my head or something! I love that you pointed out that Karen and Jim are both frustrated with non-answers. I was hoping that translated. And thanks for the comments on the metaphors too. I love creating them. In fact, I'm working on one for chapter six right about now...
Date: March 21, 2007 10:03 am Title: Burn
Their palms kiss for just an instant before separating again.
Oh man, I don't think I've ever heard that turn of phrase before, but boy do I like it! How awesome is this story!!!! And this was just a great chapter. I have to tell you it's near impossible for people to make me feel sympathy for Karen, but YOU my dear actually succeeded in that! And Jim's realization that he was in fact using her, was just priceless. I do think that Jim is really unaware of the fact that he's doing that - so I can totally imagine him having that "i'm an ass" reaction when it finally hits him. Needless to say I can not WAIT for the chapter we've all been waiting for! ;-) GREAT WORK
Author's Response:
LoveFool! I'm such a fan! You write Jim/Pam dialogue like no one else. Baby Talk? AMAZING.
I was really hoping that the palms "kiss" would work, so yay! And I'm so happy to see so many reviewers saying that they were surprised to feel sympathy for Karen. Sympathetic!Karen is cool.Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Date: March 21, 2007 03:54 am Title: Burn
Just caught up on the last couple of chapters - still so good. Much though I often want to throttle Karen on the show, you made her so empathetic here - I was actually glad when she held Jim's feet to the fire! And the end, how just the thought of Pam coming into his house undoes him a bit (not to mention the palm kiss)? Jim wasn't the only one who forgot to breathe for a second!
Author's Response:
Oh yay! I'm such a fan of yours :)
I'm glad that the "palms kiss" line worked. I just thought it was a cool way to describe what was happening. The hand-touching was a last minute addition suggested by starblossom56. I originally had him guiding her into the house with his hand on her back, but this was much more fun!
Date: March 20, 2007 11:01 pm Title: Burn
wow! that was awesome! poor karen (i can't believe i just said that but, so it is...)but what now? wow! can't wait. next chapter please!!!
Author's Response: Hahaha! That seems to be a theme--people being surprised that they felt bad for Karen. I already have a little bit written for chapter 6 :)
Date: March 20, 2007 10:22 pm Title: Burn
There are so many things that I love about this! I loved the snow globe analogy. And your stove/burn analogy is so true: "She hates to admit just how deep the burn is." And the palms at the end! Ah! I love so much about this and cannot wait for the next installment!
Author's Response: Yay! I always try hard to create fitting metaphors, so I love to hear when they work. And the palms! That was great fun to write. More of that sort of thing to come ;-)
10 [Report This]Date: March 20, 2007 09:23 pm Title: Burn
You actually have me feeling sort of bad for Karen. Congratulations! The feeling won't last long, I assure you. I love that Pam and Jim are actually going to talk! At least, I hope they are. They are, right?? They're not going to!! I know, you write the next chapter and show me. =)
Author's Response: Heh. That's okay--you don't have to feel bad for Karen anymore. I don't think that she'll be showing up again in this fic. That was like her grand exit. As for Jim and Pam... well, Jim certainly wants to talk. We'll see how it goes...
Date: March 20, 2007 09:20 pm Title: Burn
It feels like he’s living in a snow globe that’s just been vigorously shook. The chaos of the original quaking is over, but he’s still floating through the water. He hasn’t come down yet. His feet haven’t hit the base of the globe. He’s just drifting in the midst of the pieces of his world, which are similarly uprooted and drifting with him.
Wow. I LOVE this metaphor! It's... wow. I really love that. (I have no words, I just do.)
I don't know that it's necessary to express how happy I am that Karen's out of the picture... I mean, you know, with all my love for her...
Ha.
In all seriousness, I love how you have her walk away, because really, it's the feminist part of me that hates her, and it's because she just seems so pathetic/sad for holding on to something that she obviously can't have. It is slightly redeeming that she walks away from it all.
Slightly.
But anyway, as always, I loved.
Chapter 6?
Author's Response:
I *thought* you might like the snow globe thing, because you tend to like my metaphors, which makes me happy :)
However, what does surprise me is that you were able to find anything slightly redeeming in Karen. I feel like a miracle worker! I want to go out and try to cure AIDS or end poverty! THere's nothing I can't do!
Date: March 20, 2007 09:17 pm Title: Burn
ahhhh i love this story! and though in my mind shes an evil wench, you did a good job of making me feel awful for Karen...but im really looking forward to the clean up
Author's Response: Ha! I'm glad I made you feel bad for the evil wench ;-) Clean up coming soon...
Date: March 20, 2007 09:15 pm Title: Burn
This was fantastic. And I really like the way you wrote Karen. I do hate her a bit for coming between Pam and Jim, but I also do feel bad for her and part of me even likes her. So the fact that you wrote her so well and not as some psychopath, but a normal girl, who had her heartbroken, that makes me happy.
Can't wait to see this confrontation between Jim and Pam....
Author's Response:
Thanks CG! I don't believe in Psycho!Karen. Not sure why, but I just can't. I try not to make her too likeable, but not too hateable either :)
And I'm excited for the Jim/Pam confrontation too!! I get to start writing it on Friday!
Date: March 20, 2007 08:40 pm Title: Burn
Very good chapter - you've really written all of them in character. Can't wait for an update!
Author's Response: Thanks! I'll try to update faster this time :)
Date: March 20, 2007 08:40 pm Title: Burn
you did amazing things with this chapter. i actually feel sorry for karen and then there's this feeling of hating Jim for the tiniest second. but he really can't help it he's in love with Pam now can he? anyway, i love it and can't wait for the next chapter!
Author's Response: Thank you! I've been feeling a bit angry with Jim this season, but it's so hard to hate him, isn't it? Btw, great name. Just today I jinxed a friend and tried to explain to her that the rules of jinx are unflinchingly rigid. She didn't play along :(
Date: March 20, 2007 08:32 pm Title: Burn
Wow. You are seriously an ubelievable writer. This story is definite favorite of mine. And, I'm totally not a Jaren fan, but I've always sympathized with Karen. I thought you did a really great job at showing what she's going through. Which must be awful because Jim's amazing and how much would it suck to have him and only find out you're a buffer? Not her fault, I think I'd be scary protective too. But, anyway, you're awesome. Please update soon.
Author's Response:
I've always sympathized with Karen too! We are completely on the same page here. I always try to put myself in Karen's place. I know that I would be completely smitten with Jim, and to find out that he was in love with someone else would be devastating, and might make my a clingy person too.
Thanks so much for all the praise. It means a lot.
10 [Report This]Date: March 20, 2007 08:29 pm Title: Burn
ksljdfjlksdf I did a little dance when I saw a new chapter! This is the best story on the site right now! Now Jim needs to go for it. :D
Author's Response: Oh wow! THANK YOU! This-- "ksljdfjlksdf" is the kind of reaction that I just love :)
Date: March 20, 2007 07:55 pm Title: Burn
I was completely uncomfortable during the entire Karen/Jim fight. Perfect. And I love how Jim's coming to his senses about how yeah maybe he's used these girls.
But oh: Their palms kiss for just an instant before separating again. Love love love it.
I love reading this story. This is one of the few post-Cocktails stories that I don't have to jog my memory for or reread past chapters. I look forward to these updates! :) Great job!
Author's Response:
Ha! When I read your first sentence I was like, "Oh no!" but I'm glad it was a good thing for you :) And thank you so much for mentioning the line about the hand-holding. That was starblossom56's idea. I originally had Jim putting his hand on the small of Pam's back, but SB suggested that I have their hands brush and I loved the idea, so I'm glad it worked!
Thank you!