Victoria Janssen's Blog, page 107

Breaking Chapters

Chapter breaks are a topic I can muse on indefinitely.This is because, when it comes to writing, I am a geek.I think chapter breaks have several purposes.1. Chapter breaks tell you where to stop reading and go to sleep.2. Chapter breaks give a guideline for the reader to tell her parent/child/spouse/friend when she'll stop reading and pay attention to them. "Just one more chapter!"3. Chapter

Short and Sweet

This month, I'll be working on a short story for an anthology. I haven't written any short stories in a really long time, but I ought to remember how.So, why I am doing this instead of hurrying to complete my proposal for the second Spice novel on my contract?First, because the editor asked me. I've sold him stories before, and we've had pleasant interactions online (we live in different

German edition of The Duchess, Her Maid, The Groom and Their Lover

Want to read The Duchess, Her Maid, The Groom and Their Lover auf Deutsch?You can now pre-order the German edition, Die Herzogin, ihre Zofe, der Stallbursche und ihr Liebhaber, scheduled to release August 1, 2010 from Mira Taschenbuch Im Cora Verlag, translated by Ira Severin."Herzogin Camille ist verzweifelt: Ihr grausamer Ehemann will sie umbringen, damit er sich eine junge, gefügige Frau

Openings from the Depths

One thing I haven't been able to do for the last couple of years is write short stories.I haven't lost the ability, or at least I don't think I have. It's that I'm spending all my time writing novels. Which, since those are under contract, is only right. But I still miss short stories. Especially that they're short.One of the most fun things, for me, about writing short stories was the beginnings

Good versus Talented

"Good writing is clear. Talented writing is energetic. Good writing avoids errors. Talented writing makes things happen in the reader's mind---vividly, forcefully..." — Samuel R. Delany, About Writing: Seven Essays, Four Letters, & Five Interviews

Finishing the Manuscript

When is a novel manuscript finished?1. When you reach the desired wordcount? (Well, yes, sort of.)2. When the deadline arrives? (It had better be finished by then.)3. Finished? What is this finished of which you speak? (Not a good idea.)4. When opening the computer file means you end up on the floor with no memory of what's just occurred? (I think this means you've been working on it too

Choosing Your Paranormal Creature

This post was originally written for the Paranormal Romantics blog.Vampire or werewolf? Demon or elf? Ghost or ghoul or unknown creature that goes bump in the night?One of the earliest decisions most writers make when conceptualizing a novel is the characters. When writing a paranormal, one of the most important aspects of character is, obviously, the paranormal element. It's easy enough to

Today Through History

One of the reasons I most enjoy researching and writing about World War One is that it's a time period rich in issues that interest me. For instance, in Great Britain during World War One, woman suffrage was still being debated, and sex between two men was still a crime. These gender issues are still relevant today, as women continue to fight for true equality in education and employment, and

Costumes at Arisia 2010

Here are a few photos I took at Arisia, of people in costume. Arisia has a large and popular masquerade (part exhibition, part contest, often including choreographed routines or skits as part of the presentations). Dedicated costumers might have an entry in the masquerade in addition to hall costume or costumes which they wear throughout the convention.The steampunk costume to the right

Steampunk Leather

Professor Maelstromme's Steam Laboratory and Brute Force Studios were at Arisia this year, and kindly allowed me to take a few photos for my blog. Here's the Good Professor's blog: "Incorporating mildly dangerous artifacts into compelling jewelry". I didn't get a chance to meet her in person.Behold the steam-robot. This picture is my favorite because it looks like he's lecturing the little