Victoria Janssen's Blog, page 108

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

Siegfried Sassoon, "At Carnoy"

At CarnoyDown in the hollow there's the whole Brigade Camped in four groups: through twilight falling slow I hear a sound of mouth-organs, ill-played, And murmur of voices, gruff, confused, and low. Crouched among thistle-tufts I've watched the glowOf a blurred orange sunset flare and fade; And I'm content. To-morrow we must go To take some cursèd Wood ... O world God made! July 3rd,

Siegfried Sassoon, "Arms and the Man"

Arms and the ManYoung Croesus went to pay his call On Colonel Sawbones, Caxton Hall: And, though his wound was healed and mended, He hoped he'd get his leave extended. The waiting-room was dark and bare.He eyed a neat-framed notice there Above the fireplace hung to show Disabled heroes where to go For arms and legs; with scale of price, And words of dignified advice How officers could get them

Google Grab - Tom Purdom, Guest Blogger

Please welcome my guest, science fiction author and music critic Tom Purdom.#On January 20th I attended the New York workshop on the Google settlement conducted by the National Writers Union and the American Society of Journalists and Authors. The main speakers were Lynn Chu, agent and lawyer, who opposes the agreement; Paul Aiken of the Authors Guild, who spoke in support; and a law professor,

Steampunk Bronze

I recently attended Arisia, a Boston-area science fiction/fantasy/a lof of other things conference. I got permission from Butch Honeck, one of my favorite sculptors in bronze, to post some photos from his dealer room at the convention.Here's a steampunk-style pistol he built (bonus sepia for bonus steampunk-ness!). You can't tell from the photo, but it has moving parts - gears and a chain -