Monthly Archives: January 2010

Openings from the Depths

Posted on January 31, 2010 by Victoria Janssen

One thing I haven’t been able to do for the last couple of years is write short stories. I haven’t lost the ability, or at least I don’t think I have. It’s that I’m spending all my time writing novels. … Continue reading →

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Good versus Talented

Posted on January 30, 2010 by Victoria Janssen

“Good writing is clear. Talented writing is energetic. Good writing avoids errors. Talented writing makes things happen in the reader’s mind—vividly, forcefully…” — Samuel R. Delany, About Writing: Seven Essays, Four Letters, & Five Interviews

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Finishing the Manuscript

Posted on January 29, 2010 by Victoria Janssen

When is a novel manuscript finished? 1. When you reach the desired wordcount? (Well, yes, sort of.) 2. When the deadline arrives? (It had better be finished by then.) 3. Finished? What is this finished of which you speak? (Not … Continue reading →

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Choosing Your Paranormal Creature

Posted on January 28, 2010 by Victoria Janssen

This post was originally written for the Paranormal Romantics blog. Vampire or werewolf? Demon or elf? Ghost or ghoul or unknown creature that goes bump in the night? One of the earliest decisions most writers make when conceptualizing a novel … Continue reading →

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Today Through History

Posted on January 27, 2010 by Victoria Janssen

One of the reasons I most enjoy researching and writing about World War One is that it’s a time period rich in issues that interest me. For instance, in Great Britain during World War One, woman suffrage was still being … Continue reading →

Posted in historical fiction, moonlight mistress, writing craft | 7 Comments

Costumes at Arisia 2010

Posted on January 26, 2010 by Victoria Janssen

Here are a few photos I took at Arisia, of people in costume. Arisia has a large and popular masquerade (part exhibition, part contest, often including choreographed routines or skits as part of the presentations). Dedicated costumers might have an … Continue reading →

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Steampunk Leather

Posted on January 25, 2010 by Victoria Janssen

Professor Maelstromme’s Steam Laboratory and Brute Force Studios were at Arisia this year, and kindly allowed me to take a few photos for my blog. Here’s the Good Professor’s blog: “Incorporating mildly dangerous artifacts into compelling jewelry”. I didn’t get … Continue reading →

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Siegfried Sassoon, "At Carnoy"

Posted on January 24, 2010 by Victoria Janssen

At Carnoy Down in the hollow there’s the whole Brigade Camped in four groups: through twilight falling slow I hear a sound of mouth-organs, ill-played, And murmur of voices, gruff, confused, and low. Crouched among thistle-tufts I’ve watched the glowOf … Continue reading →

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Siegfried Sassoon, "Arms and the Man"

Posted on January 23, 2010 by Victoria Janssen

Arms and the Man Young Croesus went to pay his call On Colonel Sawbones, Caxton Hall: And, though his wound was healed and mended, He hoped he’d get his leave extended. The waiting-room was dark and bare.He eyed a neat-framed … Continue reading →

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Google Grab – Tom Purdom, Guest Blogger

Posted on January 22, 2010 by Victoria Janssen

Please welcome my guest, science fiction author and music critic Tom Purdom. # On January 20th I attended the New York workshop on the Google settlement conducted by the National Writers Union and the American Society of Journalists and Authors. … Continue reading →

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