Victoria Janssen's Blog, page 101

Siegfried Sassoon, "The Hawthorn Tree"

The Hawthorn TreeNot much to me is yonder lane Where I go every day; But when there's been a shower of rainAnd hedge-birds whistle gay,I know my lad that's out in FranceWith fearsome things to see Would give his eyes for just one glanceAt our white hawthorn tree.. . . .Not much to me is yonder lane Where he so longs to tread: But when there's been a shower of rainI think I'll never weep again

Saskia Walker - Guest Post

Please welcome my guest, Saskia Walker!#When I started out on my writing journey I used to fret about how the fantasy or paranormal elements of a story would mesh with the more everyday aspects. As writers we want our stories to flow seamlessly for the reader, and for them to accept what is way beyond the norm alongside the more rational elements. This is a skill that my hostess has, in spades!

Romance Series-Itis

Series-itis: there's entirely too much wordcount devoted to reminding us what happened to the hero when he was a minor character in a previous book, and setting up various other characters for their roles in future books, not to mention the obligatory mentions of previous romantic couples in the series. I'm not sure why I like and continue to read series of linked books when what I really want

Where Are the Older Heroines?

Where are the older heroines in romance novels?Not there. Not often. Not that I've seen.And by older I only mean, like, getting close to forty. It seems to be okay for romance heroes to be forty or above - though I've noticed the author may let you know only once or twice and then not mention it again - but heroines? Not so much. Fifty and above? Even close to fifty? Where are they? Are

Underclothes in World War One

Cunningham, C. Willett and Phillis. The History of Underclothes. London: Faber & Faber Ltd., revised ed. 1981.p. 141 by the end of WWI, women's lingerie was called "undies."p. 142 for men: united garments cover to the wrists and the ankles. Pants reach to ankle, drawers to knees. Vests are undershirts, with either long or short sleeves. Nightshirts were long. Pajamas were made of flannel or

Dissonant Details

The ultimate goal of sharing one's writing is for the reader to "get" what you've written. Seen from that point of view, what you've written is less important than how the reader interprets it. So it's important to try and direct the reader's interpretation if you can.One way to do that is dissonance. As in, if two things in the story don't match up, you can grab the reader's attention for a

Edgell Rickword, "War and Peace"

War and PeaceIn sodden trenches I have heard men speak, Though numb and wretched, wise and witty things; And loved them for the stubbornness that clings Longest to laughter when Death's pulleys creak; And seeing cool nurses move on tireless feet To do abominable things with grace, Deemed them sweet sisters in that haunted place Where, with child's voices, strong men howl or bleat. Yet now those

Ivor Gurney, "The Bohemians"

The BohemiansCertain people would not clean their buttons,Nor polish buckles after latest fashions,Preferred their hair long, putties comfortable,Barely escaping hanging, indeed hardly able;In Bridge and smoking without army cautionsSpending hours that sped like evil for quickness,(While others burnished brasses, earned promotions)These were those ones who jested in the trench,While others argued

American Memory Film Collection

American Memory Film Collection at the Library of Congress.Click on the title of the topic that interests you, then click on "List the Film Titles" for the individual film. That link will give you a choice of mpeg, rm, or QuickTime for most of the films. Which you can then watch. (Some of the topics are less straightforward, and you have to hunt a little for the list of available films.)The

A Weird Dislike

It's very weird and pointless, I know, but I have an aversion to the phrase multi-published.I understand what it means. It means you sold more than one story, or one book, and had it published. It's usually used to describe writers who are making a living from their work, but not always.But why does it matter? If it does matter, why don't we say double-published and triple-published and on and