Victoria Janssen's Blog, page 112

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

The Dreaded Novel Synopsis

I recently came across some old correspondence from the first time I attempted to write a synopsis. It was for a novel I'd already completed, a novel which never sold. As I prepare to write a new synopsis for the second book in my contract, I decided it was worth reviewing.A friend of mine, a nonfiction writer, read my first attempt at a synopsis, and described it this way: "it reads like you

A Writer's Brain Radio

Ever wanted to know what goes through a writer's mind as she's writing? Look no more!Is this sentence too long? It's the opening sentence, it's too long and confusing, and the reader will stop reading and never read my book! If I cut it into two sentences, does it turn into blah utilitarian prose and the reader will be bored and stop? Was it stylish in the first place, or does it just have too

The Romance Formula Myth

Romance readers know there's no formula for romance novels, but a lot of other people seem to think there is, something like, "First kiss on page three, problem arises pages fifteen, first kiss with tongue page eighteen, hero falls in love page seventy-two."This idea's been around for a long time, and it's still around, and romance writers still get asked what their "formula" is. Even writers

Visiting Lust in Time

I'm visiting today at Lust in Time and blogging on where I found some of my historical details, so please drop by!

Victoria Janssen Interviews Herself

I thought it would be fun to interview myself, using the questions from Inside the Actors Studio.1. What is your favorite word?Song.2. What is your least favorite word?Moist.3. What turns you on?Beautiful voices and kindness and intelligence.4. What turns you off?Arrogance, especially when there's no real strength behind it.5. What sound or noise do you love?Renaissance polyphony, sung by a few

Siegfried Sassoon, "To Any Dead Officer"

To Any Dead OfficerWell, how are things in Heaven? I wish you'd say, Because I'd like to know that you're all right. Tell me, have you found everlasting day, Or been sucked in by everlasting night? For when I shut my eyes your face shows plain; I hear you make some cheery old remark-- I can rebuild you in my brain, Though you've gone out patrolling in the dark. You hated tours of