Reviewer: MoraDae Signed
Date: January 04, 2008
Title: Chapter 2: Alien Solar System
Having four children myself I can totally relate to this story and am really enjoying it. If you have never been pregnant you are doing an uncanny job of writing about it (I don't know your background). :o)
The only thing that bothers me a little (and of course this is only a matter of opinion) is the impression left by the Paris comments, that once you've had kids your life is over and you can't do something like that anymore. Of course having kids can put it on hold, a short time for some or a long time for others. My mom had me when she was 20 (28 years ago) and 2 other kids after me and since she hit her 40s has been to Europe (including Paris) twice, Mexico several times, Israel, Egypt, and Central America. She waited until her kids were grown but it still happened for her. But she probably thought at 20 that it would never happen, so I of course understand why Pam may be thinking that. Sorry if this makes so sense. It's just kind of what I thought of when I read this.
Looking forward to more, I always enjoy your writing.
Author's Response:
First, glad you're enjoying this, MoraDae.
And yes, I have kids - teenagers. I also totally agree - life doesn't end with kids, including traveling. In fact, I've traveled pretty extensively with mine over the years and I grew up going to Europe with my own parents from the time I was quite young. So absolutely - even if you wait until they're grown, like your mom did - children don't necessarily preclude any of that.
I think here though, for Pam, Paris isn't just a literal place she'd like to visit (though she does want that too) It's sort of symbolic of all the things she wants in life (e.g., to finish school, be an artist, hell - drive a convertible, lol) that she fears she'll have to give up. Especially since it's only been the last couple of years (when the fic takes place) that she's begun to figure out what those things even are, or that she'd entitled to want things for herself like that at all. She doesn't yet see how she can balance that 'self' and motherhood.
Plus - and this is huge, I think - she's seeing through the filter of 1st trimester hormones at this point in the fic, and that can be pretty intense. Anxiety, sheer exhaustion, morning sickness - it all amplifies her fears/doubts.
But don't feel too bad for her - she also has Jim, lol. No, seriously, most women I know (myself included) felt alot better during the 2nd trimester, so not to worry - Pam will pick up. Plus, do you think Jim would let her give up on everything she wants? Hell, no! So, hang in there - and don't be too sure she'd not getting to actual Paris, either.;-)
Thanks again and stay tuned!
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