Victoria Janssen's Blog, page 86

Writing for Women, Writing for Men

I read about a workshop at the RWA Conference whose topic, I think, was writing for women versus writing for men. I didn't attend, so the actual title didn't stick in my mind. However, it sparked thoughts, and I of course had to pour those thoughts into a blog post. With a hot picture of Josephine Baker wearing a top hat.I write for women. At least I think I do. The line that publishes my

IASPR Call for Proposals

Just in case anyone out there is interested!A Call For Proposals for The Third Annual International Conference on Popular Romance:Can't Buy Me Love?Sex, Money, Power, and RomanceNew York CityJune 26-28, 2011The International Association for the Study of Popular Romance (IASPR) is seeking proposals for innovative panels, papers, roundtables, discussion groups, and multi-media presentations that

I'm a Naughty Guest Today

I'm a guest today at The Naughty Girls Next Door, with my thoughts on "Selling the Unusual Historical."Drop by and say hello! I'd love to hear your thoughts on this topic.

Pirate Linkgasm

Before I wrote The Duke and the Pirate Queen, I didn't realize quite how many websites existed about pirates, especially pirates from the 1600s through around 1720, particularly in the Caribbean. That's the most common idea most people have of pirates, based on movies and novels such as Treasure Island.Because I was writing a fantasy, I was able to use a mixture of ideas about "classic" pirates

Websites Are Interview Suits

If you're reading this blog, you may or may not have visited my website. I've been thinking about it a lot in the last year or so. I've read articles and blog posts about what makes a good website. I've made lists of other people's websites that I like. I've investigated designers.You will notice, though, I haven't done much with the actual website. The reason? It takes commitment on my

Edmund Blunden, "Vlamertinghe: Passing the Chateau"

Vlamertinghe: Passing the ChateauAnd all her silken flanks with garlands drest-- But we are coming to the sacrifice. Must those flowers who are not yet gone West? May those flowers who live with death and lice? This must be the flowerist place That earth allows; the queenly face Of the proud mansion borrows grace for grace Spite of those brute guns lowing at the skies. Bold great daisies' golden

Wilfrid Wilson Gibson, 'The Going"

The GoingHe's gone. I do not understand. I only know That as he turned to go And waved his hand, In his young eyes a sudden glory shone: And I was dazzled by a sunset glow, And he was gone.--Wilfrid Wilson Gibson

Descriptive Worldbuilding

When I was writing The Duchess, Her Maid, The Groom & Their Lover, I was doing a lot of my worldbuilding on the spot, whenever I felt something was needed.I do think about aspects of the world before I begin writing, but probably just as much comes along in the middle, or during revisions, when I suddenly realize, "I never described this room, and that would set the scene better."If I'm in a

Under Flowerpots, Mostly

This post was originally written for Savvy Authors.It makes me chortle when people ask writers "Where do you get your ideas?" Because where does anyone get ideas? And what kind of ideas do they mean when they ask?I probably shouldn't laugh, because most of the time, that question generates really interesting answers. What's my answer? I find my ideas under flowerpots, mostly. And by that I

Contemporary Historical Resources Linkgasm

Here are a few links I've found useful in my historical research. These are all collections/archives of contemporary materials. Contemporary to historical periods, I mean.Old Magazine Articles, edited by Matt Jacobsen. "OldMagazineArticles.com is a Los Angeles-based website; privately owned and operated, it is the effort of one old magazine enthusiast in particular who believes deeply that