Victoria Janssen's Blog, page 87

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

The Journal of Popular Romance Studies, First issue!

The Journal of Popular Romance Studies has published its first issue! If only this journal had been around when I was in graduate school...but no, then I never would have gotten around to writing novels.So far, I've read A Little Extra Bite: Dis/Ability and Romance in Tanya Huff and Charlaine Harris's Vampire Fiction, by Kathleen Miller. Abstract: "This essay examines Tanya Huff's Blood Price

Trusting Authorial Voices

I've recently been thinking about novel beginnings, and how it's common (and good) advice to start with big obvious conflict. However, I don't think that it's always necessary to do that. More importantly, I've been thinking about why that is true for me as a reader, and by extension, as a writer.When I begin reading a new book, I want to trust the author, and the author's voice. I want that

"Vision," Siegfried Sassoon

VisionI love all things that pass: their briefness is Music that fades on transient silences. Winds, birds, and glittering leaves that flare and fall— They fling delight across the world; they call To rhythmic-flashing limbs that rove and race... A moment in the dawn for Youth's lit face; A moment's passion, closing on the cry-- 'O Beauty, born of lovely things that die!'--

Wilfrid Wilson Gibson, "In the Ambulance"

In the Ambulance"Two rows of cabbages, Two of curly-greens, Two rows of early peas, Two of kidney-beans." That's what he is muttering Making such a song, Keeping other chaps awake, The whole night long. Both his legs are shot away, And his head is light;So he keeps on muttering All the blessed night: "Two rows of cabbages, Two of curly-greens, Two rows of early peas,Two of kidney-beans."--Wilfrid