Date: October 14, 2008 10:13 am Title: Fictional Futures
Lovely story and I love it even more b/c of the reference to my favorite poet -- Pablo Neruda. And the footnotes are very helpful. This story is great because it is a "smart" story written w/ well choosen words.
Author's Response: Thank you for the sweet review, Alamos! I'm glad you're enjoying this and the Neruda, too!
8 [Report This]Date: October 13, 2008 06:56 am Title: Fictional Futures
I could totally picture Jim in the mirror with his PJ shirt on, loved it. This really is an amazing fic. I have always wanted a Jim teacher fic =)
Author's Response: Admit it, Hannah. You just want to stay after school and clap Mr. Halpert's erasers! Kidding! So glad you liked Jim being a little goofy in the mirror - that was a fun little bit to write. Thank you so much for reading and commenting!
Date: September 30, 2008 08:55 pm Title: Fictional Futures
Talk to me,' you beg. ‘Please talk to me.'
You know you had me at hello with this story -- and I hate that overused phrase, but it's so, so true. I am SO glad that we decided for you to do this alone, btw, lol. Because it's become so much bigger than I ever imagined. This story has just opened up something in you that apparently was clawing it's way to get out!...Jeez - check you out, lady.
Author's Response:
Yes! Everyone (or those who read other reviews and responses, at least) should know that we originally talked about co-authoring this story! We even wrote a little bit, a couple scenes, but it wasn't feeling right and to be fair, we both have a bit of the control freak about us! ;-) This is one of those things that just had to find it's own time, I think. God knows, I dithered over it long enough. I spent a whole day doing research on private schools in New England and their summer reading lists and boarding schools and campus maps. UGH. Just WRITE IT, Sweetpea!
The line you quoted...in grieving someone, it is the sound of their voice that I seem to miss so much. I'm not surprised you picked that one out - we always seem to be on the same wavelength with that kind of stuff.
You better be free this weekend, because I've just promised the whole Interweb that chapter 3 is coming! Love you and thanks!
Date: September 29, 2008 06:25 am Title: Fictional Futures
Now you've done it. You've broken my brain - the part that has the critical ability to write a coherent review. Oh, his dream...and those perfectly selected Neruda lines...and even your footnotes (which, let's face it, could have seemed contrived) add an essential layer. This is too many kinds of moving and unexpected and witty and surreal and real and pure Jim, yet not....to even begin to comment upon. Possibly the best thing I've read in a while (not just here either, darling.)
Oh, farther than everything. Oh, farther than everything.
Were ever more fitting or gorgeous words written? I think not.
Author's Response:
Oh, Colette, what can I even say? You are so generous and thoughtful.
So right about the line you quoted! When I read that last line, I did that big hiccuppy intake of breath thing before you start sobbing. Oh my God, it just wrecked me. I originally had another Neruda selected for this chapter, but I was browsing around and found this one and at first I started to dismiss it because the whole thing is too long, but then I got to those lines and just lost it.
I'm SO glad you think the footnotes work! And you're absolutely right - they could have gone either way. It is an absolute blast to write those - it's totally like being able to whisper into someone's ear but not miss any of the main conversation. I'm realizing that is very much how I talk, too, with tons of tangents and sidebars and wanderings that so often I have to say "but that's another story" and cut them short. But they make the main story richer, I think.
I seem to fall under a spell when I write this story and I haven't felt like that in a long, long time. Chapter 3 is going to bring some changes - interesting and fun ones, I hope. I'm thrilled you're enjoying and thank you for this.
10 [Report This]Date: September 28, 2008 10:12 am Title: Fictional Futures
I love the flow of this. It's so amazing.
Author's Response: Wow, Corking. 'Flow' is a very nice word to read! I'm loving the writing of this story so much and it's great to read comments like this. Thank you!
Date: September 27, 2008 08:18 pm Title: Fictional Futures
Once again, Sweetpea, you slay me. When you are done with this fic, would you mind if I took it to Vegas and married it? In all seriousness, I've never lost a spouse/significant other, but you've made me feel Jim's pain and mourning for Sarah.Let's hope Miss Beesly can help him through this valley he seems to be in. Please update soon. :)
Author's Response: Oh, elly, this just cracked me right up! Okay, you can take it to Vegas, but I need it back by Friday cause this thing is in serious need of an update. I have some legitimate excuses, but who wants to read my whining? No one, that's who! Thank you so much for reading and reviewing and I promise chapter 3 is on the way.
Date: September 27, 2008 07:00 pm Title: Fictional Futures
Guh. The girl with curious hair.
Have I told you lately I love the footnotes?
Author's Response: Have I told you lately how much I love you? Even if I have, it doesn't hurt to say thanks again for always being such a great reader and reviewer. How serendipitous is 'girl with curious hair'? God, I wanted to weep when that line just fell off my fingers. Chapter 3 this weekend. Promise.
Date: September 27, 2008 06:56 pm Title: Fictional Futures
I love the way you're writing Jim's mourning. Just very true to life, this hanging on to what's gone and not really wanting to move on, no matter how necessary it finally becomes. Very moving, especially the dream sequences.
Author's Response:
I'm so glad you're enjoying this so far, EH! I'm in love with writing it - something happens when I sit down with it, I just can't explain. I did have chapter 3 pretty much done, but I got a little divine inspiration and I wanted to completely rewrite it. Technical problems delayed that, but I can't wait to finish it this weekend. Thanks so much for always being so supportive and encouraging!
9 [Report This]Date: September 27, 2008 06:03 pm Title: Fictional Futures
"From your memory you recite the words, pulling them one by one, like threaded cotton from your mouth, timing it’s rhythm to the Greek chorus of her sighs, punctuating the lines with kisses on her smooth skin."
Another unbelievably awesome chapter.
Author's Response: Gosh, I love when people quote stuff they like! Thanks so much kaystar! I was beside myself last weekend when my computer took a little break. We're all fixed up here and I'm ready to go with chapter 3 this weekend. Hope to see you then and thank you so much for the review!
Date: September 27, 2008 03:56 pm Title: Fictional Futures
Sweetpea, your writing is so beautiful that I feel inadequately equipped to review it. Seriously. I just don't have the words. I've been transported to another place, as when I'm engrossed in an impossible-to-put-down novel. The emotion of this story really strikes a chord.
...and you turn to see a girl with curious hair. LOVE it : )
I'm here for the long hall, doll ; ) Patiently awaiting more...
Author's Response: I'm so glad you're so patient, Nan! Real life and technical problems got in the way this week, but I'll be seeing you this weekend. Thanks so much for your encouragement and sweet comments. :-*
9 [Report This]Date: September 27, 2008 02:51 pm Title: Fictional Futures
This is really brilliant writing! I've never read any David Foster Wallace, but now you've got me wanting to, which I bet was part of the point of this story :) Can't wait for more.
Author's Response: untherapy, you've uncovered my evil plan! It wasn't part of the original plan of this story, because I gestate stories for a long time before I start writing and posting, but I really became enamored of the all the intersecting points that writing this could make by making DFW a kind of character here. Dive in to DFW, for sure, and prepare to have your mind blown. Thank you so much for reading and for leaving a review!