10 [Report This]Date: February 21, 2012 03:26 pm Title: Chapter 1 - In a Family Way
How did I not read this when you first posted it? So good :)
Author's Response: Aw thanks, Hannah_Halpert. It was posted a long time ago and I just never got back to it.
Date: February 03, 2010 12:14 pm Title: Chapter 1 - In a Family Way
My baby is almost 2 but I vividly remember that late-pregnancy feeing of complete weariness. I think that is how God planned it- make the end of pregnancy so unbearable you totally get over the fear of labor and parenthood in an intense desire to just Get that Baby Out. Heh.
And of course, Jim is perfect. Lovely job.
Author's Response: Very true about the end of pregnancy - I was three weeks late with my first and at that point I didn't care what happened, just as long as I didn't have to be pregnant anymore. Thanks so much for the read and review, nqllisi!
10 [Report This]Date: February 01, 2010 04:03 am Title: Chapter 1 - In a Family Way
Well I remember saying on the boards that I would give you a very critical and mean review in order to 'help you improve your writing' so here goes:
jazzfan, that was awful. Simply awfu -
Okay, I can't do it. I can't even PRETEND to give a bad review. I will, however, give you an almighty long one because I'm feeling generous (TWSS?). I've always loved fluff. But there's something about really good, sweet, funny, light-hearted yet slightly serious fluff involving Jim and Pam that makes me all tingly. So I'm very, very happy your withdrawal makes you create things like this. I'm very fond of that tingly/warm/fuzzy feeling.
For some completely unfathomable reason, pregnancy fic is fairly popular right now. And the "Heavily pregnant and hormonal Pam over-emotionally bemoans her situation while Jim Halpert a.k.a Mr Perfect comforts her" scenario is a common approach. And for good reason - because it's entertaining and absolutely adorable at the same time. I mean I could feel Jim's heart leap at the thought of Pam falling of the chair so late on in the pregnancy. And the imagery of a whale-like Pam (even though JF's looking pretty cute with the adorable bump) made me feel exhausted and extremely sympathetic to poor Pam's lack of mobility and ability to do...anything!
I also remember when I was 9 and a relative of mine was heavily pregnant and I saw her belly doing something that I assumed must have been an alien moving underneath her skin and it freaked me out so much. Yet now, the thought of Pam's little alien makes me simultaneously squee with joy and cry like a parent saying "they grow up so fast!". Because I think the reason why I love preg!fic and why I love this, is it gives the perfect opportunity for me to sit back and acknowledge, in a sentimental and sappy kind of a way, just how far these characters have come and how invested I am in their happiness. Sad, I know.
In conclusion, great stuff jazzfan. I'm not even going to try to find fault since it was damn perfect. I'm sorry, I suck at constructive criticism. Hope the lengthy review helps!
Author's Response: Wow, I've never gotten a novella review before. I appreciate the good words - I'm sure next time I'll try something longer and there'll be plenty of gaffs to notice, so hold onto that "it's awful" thought, will you? *grin* I get what you're saying about appreciating these characters' journey. If someone had told "Diversity Day" Jim Halpert, closing his eyes because Pam's head was on his shoulder, that he'd be holding their baby someday, he would have thought they were nuts. Big thanks for taking the time to write this, much appreciated.
Date: January 31, 2010 09:37 pm Title: Chapter 1 - In a Family Way
I was elated to see something new in the archive from you! I love whatever you write, no exceptions. And this was just great. Someone else said this, too, but the detail of Jim removing Pam's glasses struck a chord. I love that detail. It's the line that I try to stay on when I attempt writing Jim, and it's the same vein that other authors try and it's just... Ugh, rambling -- keep doing what you're doing here. I love your tones and details, always. Keep it up.
Author's Response: You're too sweet, yanana. Thanks for your comments, and especially that you liked the glasses. I added that fairly late in the process, and it's nice to know it worked.
10 [Report This]Date: January 31, 2010 10:15 am Title: Chapter 1 - In a Family Way
jazzfan, just wanted to let you know that I hate this fic...because it makes me yearn to see this little moment on the show and we all know that that isn't likely to happen. I just plain adore how attentive Jim is to his pregnant wife and knows exactly how to make her feel better (and at the same doesn't hesitate to laugh at/tease her).
Great job!
Author's Response: Oh thanks bkwrm, I'm glad you enjoyed it. I can't help but believe that Jim would find some humor in Pam's situation, even when she doesn't.
Date: January 31, 2010 05:32 am Title: Chapter 1 - In a Family Way
I like the idea you've picked up from the poem - something as mundane as oranges becoming as potent a 'coin' of memory as 'stars' fixed in 'the universe.' Lovely. Maybe Pam's silly pink sox will be Jim's oranges, of this moment. Also love the subtle tenderness of him removing her glasses when she falls asleep. I'm a sucker for fics about simple, everyday stuff like this - to me, more in-character and moving than complicated melodrama.
Author's Response: I just loved that poem. It reminded me that the beauty of the Jim and Pam characters' story is that ordinary people can find true love and happiness just like the glittery people, because the true gold of relationships is found (even for the glittery people) in those little often unexpected moments. Thanks for the review, Colette.
Date: January 30, 2010 10:43 pm Title: Chapter 1 - In a Family Way
Quite lovely! I do so enjoy a wise Jim and your Jim is so thoughtful here, having learned from experience what to say and what not too. I also thought your Pam was quite a realistic "almost there" pregnant woman who could still do "some things" ::: ahem::: lol. Can't wait till the mood strikes you again.
Author's Response: I love Jim when he's trying to figure out how to play Pam. (I think that's why I liked The Lover so much.) And Pam? Well, when standing up becomes a chore you have to make the best of lying down, right? Thanks for the comments, LoveFool, much appreciated.
10 [Report This]Date: January 30, 2010 10:31 pm Title: Chapter 1 - In a Family Way
Dude that was beautiful!!!!!!!!!!
Author's Response: Thanks Hannah_Halpert. I don't think I've ever elicited that many exclamaation points before. Awesome.
Date: January 30, 2010 09:47 pm Title: Chapter 1 - In a Family Way
aaww u should do another chapter!! i love this pregnanci stuff
Author's Response: Thanks dmbd. I do plan more chapters, but they won't all be baby related.
Date: January 30, 2010 09:14 pm Title: Chapter 1 - In a Family Way
Goodness! A fall that close to delivery is scary, but I understand her wanting to be able to do something on her own. I do hope you'll continue to be hit with inspiration, cause I'm with you on the withdrawal; not just TO but J&P- why do they never show us the sweet baby moments??
Author's Response: I think the powers that be conspire in dark, smoky rooms and form pacts not to show us any sweet Jam. Example: why were we denied that mistletoe kiss that the director's cut had? Why, I ask you? /laughing I have my fingers crossed for a little bit of Jambaby discussion with this new episode Thursday. Thanks Andastainonmyshirt. Love your nic, BTW.
10 [Report This]Date: January 30, 2010 06:36 pm Title: Chapter 1 - In a Family Way
isn't it amazing when you can see a baby move an arm or a leg or a butt across the belly? it's like "alien."
this is just so so sweet... can't wait for the next chapter!
Author's Response: It is amazingingly cool. Much more so than those tap dances on your liver at 3 am. Thanks for the review, FlonkertonChamp.
10 [Report This]Date: January 30, 2010 11:31 am Title: Chapter 1 - In a Family Way
Okay, that was just perfect! I must admit, I've been getting pretty sick of these baby fics, but this was a good one for sure!
Why, might you ask? Oh let's see... because it was oh - so - realistic (sounding, I would have NO idea) and it was just so cute and totally JAM. So there you go, one out of ten baby fic stories I actually like these days, and here's one of them. Nice work!
P.S., perfect grammar, punctuation and spelling, that really makes a difference!
Author's Response: Thanks pamelamorganhalpert. While the baby figured prominently into this chapter, I'm thinking most of these won't be babyfics. And I have my great betas to thank for the grammar, etc. I'm glad you liked it.
9 [Report This]Date: January 30, 2010 09:50 am Title: Chapter 1 - In a Family Way
Is there more?!?! hint hint...
I love it when you write fluff, jazzfan. The paragraph about the baby shifting brings back sweet memories. The imagery and sentiment of the last two paragraphs are just lovely. Way to go, ole gal :)
Author's Response: Thanks so much for your help with this. I have a couple more ideas, but I'm really liking the open ended nature of this where I don't feel pressure to get the next chapter up. (PS - I can't believe you wanted less sex mentioned. /laughing)
Date: January 30, 2010 08:43 am Title: Chapter 1 - In a Family Way
What a perfect story to wake up to. I'm not feeling that great and this helped alot!
Author's Response: I'm delighted it brightened your day a little, khand3stooges. Hope you feel better, and thanks.
Date: January 30, 2010 06:05 am Title: Chapter 1 - In a Family Way
Woot! I thought this was a one shot! I am very excited to realize there's more to come. You know I liked ALL of this! I think it's pitch perfect Jim. Sweet but not saccharine. Jim is there for Pam and sentimental as all get out, but he can still laugh at her. Perfect, perfect fluff!!
HOWEVER, you didn't include your chapter title in the version you sent to your trusty betas. I'm sure that NanReg or I would have been happy to buy a vowel for you...
Author's Response: Whoopsie! Thanks for the heads up, as always. We'un hillbillies don't need no dagblasted vwls.