Date: July 12, 2007 08:13 am Title: Chapter 1
The lack of dialogue brought out so many other perfect details, from Pam's body language to Jim's innate kindness to strangers. Despite appearances, I really think this is an auspicious start for them. It would be a bit suspicious if things went too swimmingly after all they've been through just to get to this point!
Author's Response: Thank you so much! I am glad you mentioned that "lack of dialogue" thing- it was intentional. I wanted their words to be what connected them at the end. I'm glad you liked (and thank you for your comments after your sneak preview, too!).
Date: July 11, 2007 11:50 pm Title: Chapter 1
I just wanted to say, b/c I said it on the TwoP Fanfic page and was told to post here, that I really enjoyed your story. It was great, and sooooo well written! IMO, I can't really see Jim snapping like that on Pam, esp. on their first date. The poor guy has to put up with Michael and Dwight and has never even snapped on them. But whether or not I found it realistic, I enjoyed it and look forward to reading more of your stuff. Thanks and keep up the great work!!
Author's Response:
Thank you! It's interesting to get a "dissenting opinion" because it makes me consider why I made that choice. Honestly, I relate to Jim a LOT- we have very similar personalities, and when I get very stressed I tend to take it out on my husband or my best friend, and not neccessarily the person who has upset me. There's a level of trust in those relationships, where I know they can "handle" my pissiness and still love me. So maybe this was out of character for Jim, but it was very much what I would have done, so I guess I would argue that it was realistic, but maybe not for Jim.
I'm glad you enjoyed it anyway! I have 50 other stories on this site; I'd love to see what you think of how I portray our two heroes in some other situations. Thanks for the comment!
Date: July 11, 2007 08:02 pm Title: Chapter 1
It's been a long time for them, so I can totally see the pauses, the awkwardness, the abruptness, the fits and starts as they begin to find their way back to each other.
Great job with this, lis!
Author's Response: Thank you so much! They are going to have to learn to be together- a relationship is different from friendship, and they have both changed over the last year. It is going to be bumpy, but I truly believe it will be worth it. Thanks again!
Date: July 11, 2007 05:38 pm Title: Chapter 1
WOW! This one got to me too. I love the fact that it didn't go perfectly because unfortunately that's life. You mixed in ups and down just right. I LOVE this story.
Author's Response: It is life, isn't it? I actually think things are going to work out for them, but it certainly isn't going to be easy. Thank you so much- I'm so glad you enjoyed reading it!
Date: July 11, 2007 05:38 pm Title: Chapter 1
Bittersweet and hopeful all at the same time. And all the more moving for the lack of melodrama. So poignant when he's overwhelmed and frustrated and doesn't know what to say, but just takes her hand. And I love that it's Pam that keeps it together and it's her strength/maturity that creates the feeling that they're going to make it work.
Author's Response: I don't think we should underestimate what Pam will bring to this relationship after all she's gone through. I am very excited to see it! "Bittersweet and hopeful" is exactly how I would have described what I was going for if I'd have been eloquent enough to come up with it. Thank you, as always, for the lovely and thoughtful comment.
Date: July 11, 2007 02:03 pm Title: Chapter 1
Oh I really enjoyed this. I love the balance of it being neither fluffy, nor overly angsty. And it also shows in an understated way, that they are ready to fight for each other.
Great job!
Author's Response: Thank you. I think they are finally ready, really ready, to approach this in an adult way. They have both bet on themselves and now they finally can win. Thanks again!
Date: July 11, 2007 01:31 pm Title: Chapter 1
Oh wow. Just beautiful, as always. And even though I have to admit to being the world's biggest sap/drama queen (in my fic, not real life- should clarify, LOL), there is definitely, definitely something to be said for this kind of understated grace and realism. Because you know they've been building up to this for so long that it's destined NOT to be a perfect date (not to mention the stressful day he'd had, which you mentioned).
And this: He said he’d been trying to get to her forever, but she hadn’t made it clear how to do that- not that this should have surprised him.
...made me suck in my breath.
Lovely, as usual!
Author's Response:
"As always," is such a lovely compliment, thank you. The reality can't possibly live up to the hype, can it? But regardless I truly they are going to be fine, if they show courage and honesty. And yeah, you do love some melodrama, but when you write it so beautifully- who needs reality? Geesh!
Thank you, thank you!
10 [Report This]Date: July 11, 2007 01:19 pm Title: Chapter 1
Darn you for breaking my heart, and in such a believable way! :-P You're writing is flawless, and seriously, I can see this happening. Well, I do have one tiny nitpick, I know Jim's not perfect, but I don't think I can see him getting pissed at Pam for giving him bad directions, but then again, for this story, I can buy it.
Still, you broke my heart with the most beautiful words, and I loved reading it as I always love your writing, but now I have to go read some of your fluff to make me feel better.
Author's Response:
Well, I'm sorry about the broken heart, especially when you say "flawless" about my writing. I think Jim just let the stress get the better of him- he was immediately sorry, but didn't know how to say it. Because these two do have trouble just spitting out the truth.
Lots of fluff on the menu, so enjoy! Thank you so much for the sweet comments!
10 [Report This]Date: July 11, 2007 01:12 pm Title: Chapter 1
Very interesting take on the post-Job scenario. Most have either taken the route of a perfect date and they live happily ever after or a bad first date and they're doomed. Yours is one of the few that finds some middle ground in between those extremes. Great job!
Author's Response: Thank you very much! I've written "happily ever after" and I must confess, I enjoy that more. But this felt more truthful, and it bugged me until I wrote it down. I do think they are going to make it, but no road is entirely smooth. So glad you liked it!
10 [Report This]Date: July 11, 2007 12:25 pm Title: Chapter 1
Bad First Date... you mean everything is cookies and lollipops and gum drops and sugary sweet now that they are together? You ruin the illusion! How dare you.
So I had never HEARD of the word paroxysm... so I google it.
paroxysm PAIR-uhk-siz-uhm, noun:
1. (Medicine) A sudden attack, intensification, or recurrence of a disease.
2. Any sudden and violent emotion or action; an outburst; a fit.
And now my knowledge increases!
So I hate you. For the obvious reasons (see first part of review) for being a good writer at doing that and for the aforementioned infiltrating my brain (okay, another story but still). So um, this is me hating you. Grr. Don't I look scary?
Author's Response:
Muahhahahahah! My evil plan is working!
(I'm sorry, I know it wasn't my normal fluff- but there's hope! It ends with hope!)
Stop looking at me like that! (Glad to help with the vocab, too- words are fun!)
Date: July 11, 2007 10:46 am Title: Chapter 1
Oh. Ouch. Wow. Um... yeah. I'll take "The Sad Reality That This Might Actually Be Closest To The Truth" for 100, Alex...
Is it weird that this made my chest hurt a little bit while I read? 'Cause it did. This little story is practically naked in it's honesty. And for that alone, I salute you.
And still, you left it with a glimmer of hope, so I can forgive the minor panic attack I had around paragraph three. :) Well done!
Author's Response:
Thank you! Yeah, I'm usually a fluffy-go-lucky type of girl, but there are so many potential roadblocks that I think it will be rough going at some poing (maybe not right at first).
I'm very, very sorry about your chest- but if it inspired such a lovely review, I can't regret it too much. Thank you!
Date: July 11, 2007 10:14 am Title: Chapter 1
i want to believe that their first date was perfect, but i love this story in spite of that. the date is real in all it's flaws, yet they still love each other and still have high hopes for the future. great job!
Author's Response: Thank you! I'd already written about perfect first dates twice, so....heh. Really, though, I believe it will all be wonderful for them, but it won't be perfect- and that's OK. Thank you so much, again!
Date: July 11, 2007 10:11 am Title: Chapter 1
Very nice! Just because they're finally on a date doesn't mean all those issues will just go away. I really liked the imagery of Jim grabbing Pam's hand in the car!
Author's Response: Thank you! Yeah, it isn't going to be all puppies and roses for them, but I honestly think they'll do fine. I'm so glad the hand-grabbing worked for you- the idea was that he'd do it in frustration but it brings them back to their connection to one another. Thanks for reading!