Victoria Janssen's Blog, page 82

Staying On Top of Blog Reading

I could easily spend hours every day reading other people's blog posts. Plus, I'm always finding new blogs, often through interesting links I'm given on Twitter or LiveJournal. After a long weekend, where I may or may not have gone online, it gets worse.I add links to my blog reader probably a lot more often than is good for me. Luckily, not every blog has a new post every day, or even every

Dealing with Rejection

I am sure there must be at least a few writers who've never been rejected, but I'm equally sure they're the exceptions that prove the rule. It's part of being a writer. If you don't submit your work, it can't be rejected; but if you don't submit your work, it can't be accepted, either. It's important to remember that even when you're feeling especially crushed.Every submission is a risk, even

Edward Thomas, "As the Team's Head-Brass"

As the Team's Head-BrassAs the team's head-brass flashed out on the turn The lovers disappeared into the wood. I sat among the boughs of the fallen elm That strewed the angle of the fallow, and Watched the plough narrowing a yellow square Of charlock. Every time the horses turned Instead of treading me down, the ploughman leaned Upon the handles to say or ask a word, About the weather, next about

Gilbert Frankau, "Eyes in the Air"

Eyes in the AirOur guns are a league behind us, our target a mile below,And there's never a cloud to blind us from the haunts of our lurking foe--Sunk pit whence his shrapnel tore us, support-trench crest concealed,As clear as the charts before us, his ramparts lie revealed.His panicked watchers spy us, a droning threat in the void;Their whistling shells outfly us--puff upon puff, deployedAcross

Telepathy and Romance

Telepathy and romance are two great tastes that ought to taste great together. So why is it that, so often, a telepathic heroine or hero--finds true love with the one person whose mind can't be read?It's part of a romance novel's plot, of course, for a couple to get to know each other better. There need to be obstacles in the way. If one person can read the other's mind, a lot of the tension

Heroine Doe

What do you look for in a romance heroine? Or the heroine of a space opera, or of a quest fantasy? What kind of heroine always makes you want to read further?Does she need to be an orphan, or have a big happy family, or a mean and awful family?Should her eyes be amethyst or only ever brown? Can she ever be conventionally beautiful?Is she spunky? Angry? Sweet? Cynical? Kickass?Can she physically

Types of Masculinity

What does it mean, to be a man? To be masculine? What does it mean to be a man who is the hero of a romance novel?Romance readers, including me, often talk about "alpha" or "beta" heroes as two generalized types. The alpha can be seen as a protector and/or a provider (rich in money or at least in skills) as well as a person with a need to dominate a relationship, or at least romantic

I Am My Own Muse

How's that for a pretentious title? But aren't all writers, really, their own muses? It's sort of in how you talk about it. Some personify, and talk about their "muse" as if it's something/someone outside of them. Others, like me, feel the "muse" is internal, ideas cooked up by the subconscious.When I think about writing and inspiration, I go around and around in my opinions. (It's one thing

Galleys now available for THE DUKE & THE PIRATE QUEEN

The Duke and the Pirate Queen is now available on NetGalley if you're a reviewer who's registered with the site. If you're just curious about the service, here's the FAQ.Excerpt from the opening chapter.Second excerpt.Third excerpt.Fourth excerpt.Amazon link for pre-order.

Wilfrid Wilson Gibson, "Retreat"

Retreat Broken, bewildered by the long retreat Across the stifling leagues of southern plain, Across the scorching leagues of trampled grain, Half-stunned, half-blinded, by the trudge of feet And dusty smother of the AugustHe dreamt of flowers in an English lane, Of hedgerow flowers glistening after rain-- All-heal and willow-herb and meadow-sweet. All-heal and willow-herb and meadow-sweet-- The