Victoria Janssen's Blog, page 112

The Pronoun Problem

If you haven't read it yet, check out this article in the LA Weekly: Man on Man: The New Gay Romance. Some of the arguments will be familiar to slash fans, but I was impressed that they interviewed Constance Penley, among others.One of the problems unique to writing homosexual erotica is pronouns. How do you distinguish he from he or she from she without repeating names or resorting to "the

Robert Frost, "War Thoughts At Home"

War Thoughts at HomeOn the back side of the houseWhere it wears no paint to the weatherAnd so shows most its age,Suddenly blue jays rageAnd flash in blue feather.It is late in an afternoonMore grey with snow to fallThan white with fallen snowWhen it is blue jay and crowOr no bird at all.So someone heeds from withinThis flurry of bird war,And rising from her chairA little bent over with careNot to

Robert Frost, "Not To Keep"

Not to Keep They sent him back to her. The letter cameSaying... And she could have him. And beforeShe could be sure there was no hidden illUnder the formal writing, he was in her sight,Living. They gave him back to her aliveHow else? They are not known to send the deadAnd not disfigured visibly. His face?His hands? She had to look, and ask,"What was it, dear?" And she had given allAnd still she

Nifty Werewolf Books

If you have a chance, check out Werewolves At Home, a webcomic tie-in to The Moonlight Mistress.This is a list of werewolf books that I've liked a lot or had recommended to me. Suggestions welcome!Benighted (alternate title: Bareback) by Kit Whitfield is one of the most original werewolf novels I've ever read. There's a romance, but this isn't a romance novel (so don't expect a happy ending).

Insta-Love

What are your feelings on Love At First Sight?Usually, I can't believe in it. If it happens in a story, usually I don't want to read any more. If the characters already know what they want, before I've seen anything of their characters, what's the point? Why should I care?I don't need to know a lot about the characters to find them interesting. Even one tasty fact can give me a handle, such

Grit Under My Boots

If I'm reading a historical novel, or for that matter, a science fiction or fantasy novel, or a romance, or any other genre, I want to feel the grit underneath my boots.Even in a shiny futuristic city where everyone wears white because nothing is dirty, I want to see the dirt. Because the dirt has to be there somewhere. Someone has to be cleaning up that shiny city. Maybe it's robots. But

It's All in the Details

This post originally appeared at Lust in Time.My new book from Harlequin Spice, a historical with werewolves, is titled The Moonlight Mistress and it's out this month. I've been amusing myself by going through my copy and re-reading my favorite moments, many of which are bits of historical detail. I love the tiny bits best.See, I am a total geek and really love research for its own sake. It

Visiting Harlequin's Paranormal Romance Blog

I'm a guest today at Harlequin's Paranormal Romance Blog on "Werewolves in World War One? Why Not?" It's about why I chose those two elements, and also a little about werewolf sex.

Siegfried Sassoon, "In the Pink"

In the Pink So Davies wrote: 'This leaves me in the pink. Then scrawled his name: 'Your loving sweetheart, Willie'. With crosses for a hug. He'd had a drink Of rum and tea; and, though the barn was chilly, For once his blood ran warm; he had pay to spend.Winter was passing; soon the year would mend. But he couldn't sleep that night; stiff in the dark He groaned and thought of Sundays at the farm,

Siegfried Sassoon, "Secret Music"

Secret MusicI keep such music in my brain No din this side of death can quell; Glory exulting over pain, And beauty, garlanded in hell. My dreaming spirit will not heed The roar of guns that would destroy My life that on the gloom can read Proud-surging melodies of joy. To the world's end I went, and found Death in his carnival of glare;But in my torment I was crowned, And music dawned above