Super late to this party...
I’ve loved The Office for a few years now & have dabbled in fic for other fandoms. Deep in another rewatch, I thought there’s got to be some amazing fic out there for arguably one of the greatest shows of all time & here I am - potentially attempting to devour the MTT archive in its entirety?
If I manage to stop reading for long enough, I may attempt to add a few ideas of my own. Time will tell.
Edit May 19: Understandably, I've fallen head over heels with this archive and all that it offers. I've started a Fic Rec Friday thread on Twitter, where I enthuse about the many stories that have brought me joy. So, I'm just putting it out there if you'd like to stop by and have a look. I'm also super open if you have any suggestions that you think should be added/are must reads...
My The Office dedicated Twitter: @chilibabies
You can also find me: @standardcatlady
"This morning, phone guy comes in, and he shows Michael that our phones have a PA function... and then he just, left..."
1 I feel like Carl’s getting off pretty easy in the scheme of things in dealing with Jim. Can you imagine how productivity would slow if he were forced to content with Dwight or Michael instead? Pam’s little drawings/details were a sweet inclusion. Looking forward to seeing how you wrap this up in the next few chapters.
Author's Response: I think Carl might just pull out the "We're billing you by the hour, get out of my way" card... but he may be too kind for that. As for zeroing in on Jim, when you go onsite sometimes you just know who you can depend on to get things done... I guess Jim just gave that vibe?
1 I love that this story is essentially just a day in the office. It’s in the same vein as the show - nothing extraordinary happens, but it’s still entertaining because the characters are such characters (if you know what I mean). It’s great. Looking forward to seeing how you wrap it all up.
Author's Response: Thank you for affirming that, this is what I was going for!
Ah, what a fitting way to bring it all together... I wonder if Carl would find Dunder Mifflin one of the quirkier sites he’s visited or just another day in the life? This was a very fun read!
Author's Response: Speaking from Carl's experience, definitely in the top 5. Thanks for reading!
1 This seems like a fun premise! Looking forward to seeing where you go with it. Welcome to MTT/writing!
Author's Response: Thank you!
When the flu attacks Dunder Mifflin, Pam and Jim are the only ones left to go on a road trip training mission to other branches. Three days alone in a car together--hmm, what could possibly happen? AU set late Season 2. Romance/mild angst/humor/adult content. Rated T, at first...
1 I’m so, so behind on reviewing this story, but it’s wonderful. I love the premise of changing the timeline of Lecture Circuit. There’s no way a road trip with Jim and Pam wouldn’t end in resolved sexual tension! I’m almost a little surprised you didn’t really lean into the trope & have them forced to share a hotel room - with one bed. Adjoining rooms definitely does the trick too! I’m interested to see how you navigate Pam finalizing her break up with Roy and what will come next for things with Jim. Lovely writing as always!
Author's Response: Hey, no statute of limitations for reviews, especially ones as nice as yours :) I do try to make things a little unpredictable, especially given the plethora of stories written for this fandom, but it is definitely a challenge. Fingers crossed that I don't accidentally rip some other story off out there for the next chapter. Thanks as always for reading and reviewing. It's always great to hear your thoughts. More very soon.
1 Oh boy. That last line. This is a lot more devious and cunning than I’d expect from Roy (& perhaps a more intelligent plan...) Although, I feel like it only has potential to end badly. I think a lot of anger will come to the surface for Roy, even if he wants to pretend things are fine & continue on with business as usual. Ugh. Poor Jim. Poor Pam.
This really took a turn...
It’s going to be fun to see how you get us back towards a happier resolution!
Author's Response: Yeah, Roy doesn't inspire too much confidence in the devious plan department, so stay tuned. Thanks so much for the fun review. More on the way...
1 There’s a lot going on in this chapter, but honestly my favorite part? That whole, “out of the frying pan,” section. Of course Michael’s interrogation is likely to be more of a pain than the doco crew. It made me laugh, just brilliant.
Author's Response: Michael is so hard to write, as I'm sure you know, lol. It's hard not to get him too over-the-top, so it's nice you enjoyed what I did here. Thanks for the great review. I just posted ch. 8. Hope you come back for more.
A satisfactory conclusion indeed! Their picnic was very sweet. Although, I do feel that as much as Jim would love to here the words, he probably wouldn’t put as much pressure on Pam to confess her feelings as he did here. I suppose he needed the reassurances after her seemingly going back to Roy... Thanks so much for writing & sharing!
Author's Response: Thank you so much! I'm glad you could see Jim's pressuring Pam came from insecurity here. Thank goodness she returned his feelings this time :)
It's 1995 and 16 year old Pam thinks she has everything figured out. All she wants is to be an artist, find a nice boy to fall in love with, and continue to think that everything happens for a reason.
The summer after her 16th birthday everything comes crashing down. Pam's life as she knew it begins to change. The perfect cocoon of a life she had originally had begins to crumble.
“Jim brings the jelly beans, I bring the grape soda, and we pray we don’t gain the freshman 15 while we study.”
This line made me giggle way too much. I don’t know if prayer will completely counteract all the delicious sugar, but it’s worth a shot. I love this nod to canon because of course those are their study snacks, because why wouldn’t they be.
Look. I hope Jen is right about that bench. In this case anyway...
I think you’re doing a great job of showing the difference in maturity. Your Pam definitely doesn’t sound as 16 anymore. She seems slightly more grounded and just that bit more mature.
Author's Response: I was laughing myself as I wrote that. So cheesy, right? Thank you for the feedback on Pam's voice!
This may be my favorite entry so far. It’s so very lovely. I love your description of an ordinary day turned absolutely magical by perfect little moments.
This entry feels so very real. I totally get where Pam is coming from with her musings on the new year. Hard same.
It’s nice to see her comparison to a couple of years ago with Roy. She definitely has it better with Jim! I like that it’s real though, and she can reflect on her disagreements with Jim too.
Well, that’s the cutest thing in the entire history of the universe. Bless Jim’s little college heart. If you break them up again I may just die (not to be too dramatic).
Author's Response: Not dramatic at all! That would be very angsty!
“our bench” Our. OUR. How is this story so cute?! I’ve missed it. I love your bench scenes.
Oh stop. It gets better! Ugh. My heart. There’s nothing quite like young requited love!
A cheesy dance invitation? And yes Jim is the biggest romantic sap in the world and I am right there with him!
Your end note is so precious! Obviously it worked out okay! I remember being so nervous when I was dating my husband because I feel like I say “I love you” way too often in casual conversation to my friends and I was worried I would do the same thing to him and it would be awkward. My boyfriend when I was like 17 said it at the end of our first date (we were friends first so it wasn’t like we didn’t know each other but still) and I freaked out! I said it back because I had no idea what else to say and my diary from that night is hilarious. Sorry not sorry for this rambling review?
Author's Response:
Oh my gosh, Jenna. This review is EVERYTHING. Your end note is just as spectacular! My diary entries are such a piece of work from this era in my life as well!
But yes, THEIR bench! As I write it, I just wish I knew these two people in real life as this version of their characters. I can only imagine how sweet they'd be to everyone they meet.
This was fluffy and lovely and adorable. I’m with Pam, little sisters are far more bearable when you’re not under the same roof as them...
I’m so here for this early relationship bliss.
Author's Response: It's incredibly fun to write this fluff and early relationship bliss. It's comforting.
I love how they kind of slipped from friends to a couple, but didn’t talk about it... That’s very cute. Nice to have it cleared up though and to have them officially on the same page.
Author's Response: It definitely took them a bit to get there!
I think they’re right about the bench too!
Ahh, nothing is more butterfly inducing than lots of handholding early on in a relationship. This was so, so sweet!
Author's Response: It's the standard will they/or will they not mentality for sure! Thank you so much!
Ahhhh! Yay! Go Pam! This was all kinds of adorable! What a build up to get them to this point, but I feel like there’s a lot of great stuff still to come...
Author's Response: So much build up ahah. I'm glad we're getting to the good stuff!
“Yes, next steps are coming in slower, but I’m really okay with it. I think that’s the beauty in this.” This. So much this. Somehow you wrote the perfect review to this chapter... in the middle of the chapter. I can’t say it any better.
Also, thank you sending my spiraling into memories of all my teen relationships every time I read this. The whole thing makes me feel so damn nostalgic & I love it.
Author's Response: Thank you so much! It also throws me into my memories every time I write an update. It's definitely fun!
“I remember my face getting warmer like I had gone on a run (also, ha, unlikely)” It’s stuff like this that makes the diary format you’re writing in so fun. It works so well!
Oh bless sweet little Jim and all his intense emotions so very much. No wonder Pam feels all flustered after an interaction with him. So adorable!
Author's Response:
Thank you! College Pam is cracking me up as I write her!
Poor Jim though for sure! We all know he's an intense guy and caught up in his emotions.
I’m pretty sure forcing a girl to watch a horror movie with you so she gets scared and tries to hold your hand is the oldest move in the book. I see you, Jim... (Or maybe that was just the boys I hung out with as a teen...)
It’s so nice to see Pam embracing the college experience. I have high hopes for this version of her.
Author's Response:
I kind of lucked out that my SO doesn't like horror movies that much or is at least nice to me and will watch them with his friends instead.
I have high hopes for her as well!
Thanks for reading!
Oh poor Pam! What a disaster. Good thing teenage Jim is such a sweetheart. I see more dates in their future! I’m really glad we get to see teenage Jim in this & not Roy. As miserable as this date seemed, it can’t beat getting left at a hockey game!
It makes me so happy that Jim has gotten in before Roy in this story. It’ll really change things up. “I miss summer. This blows.” - quite possibly the most relatable line to grace a fic ever. What a mood.
Author's Response: It's definitely my mood a lot of the time haha
Well, that’s just all kinds of sweet!
Author's Response: I'm so glad you like it!
Aw, young Jim is a sweetheart. Good on him for going for it. Writing what you know is always a good move! This fic is making me all kinds of nostalgic, I want to pull up my high school diaries and relive all the teen angst...
Author's Response: It's a lot of fun. I read through all my journals and was just in shock at my thought processes and how angsty they all were. It's nice to see how far I've come haha!
1 It’s nice to have young Jim included in this! I kind of hope the AU twist continues. I imagine he’s nicer to read about than teenage Roy... I don’t think Pam’s being too dramatic - she reminds me of my teenage diaries too - there’s just the right amount of drama for her to feel authentic. I’m hoping she’ll find her way with art again though. It can be so discouraging to have a comment like that, especially at that age.