Monthly Archives: March 2010

How Publishing Works, via Charles Stross

Posted on March 11, 2010 by Victoria Janssen

I don’t usually post a set of links from a single author, but in this case, I am, because I think these are excellent reference posts that go a long way to explaining common misconceptions to those who have not … Continue reading →

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I’d worry if they talked back.

Posted on March 10, 2010 by Victoria Janssen

Today I’m in the Author Spotlight at Jessica Freely’s blog Friskbiskit, talking about the male/male relationship aspects of The Moonlight Mistress, among other things. # And for today’s pondering: How do we visualize (mentalize?) characterization? I’ve heard people say things … Continue reading →

Posted in writing process | 15 Comments

Research Books Whee!

Posted on March 9, 2010 by Victoria Janssen

I’m in a research flurry, collecting materials that I hope will be helpful in writing my second erotic novel set during World War One. I do the dance of new books! The Belgian Army in World War I is another … Continue reading →

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The Trapped Protagonist

Posted on March 8, 2010 by Victoria Janssen

Over at the Romance Divas forum for the next three months, I’m serving as mentor to another writer. As a result, I’ve been thinking about plotting and how to plot and how to teach to plot. And how to teach … Continue reading →

Posted in writing craft | 2 Comments

Wilfrid Wilson Gibson, "The Messages"

Posted on March 7, 2010 by Victoria Janssen

The Messages “I cannot quite remember…. There were five Dropt dead beside me in the trench–and three Whispered their dying messages to me….” Back from the trenches, more dead than alive, Stone-deaf and dazed, and with a broken knee, He … Continue reading →

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Art has a shape.

Posted on March 6, 2010 by Victoria Janssen

“One thing that makes art different from life is that in art things have a shape; they have beginnings, middles, and endings. Whereas in life, things just drift along. In life, somebody has a cold, and you treat it as … Continue reading →

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Maintaining Sexual and Romantic Tension

Posted on March 5, 2010 by Victoria Janssen

I think that all Romance plots ultimately involve deferring consummation of the relationship, whether the desired consummation is intercourse, marriage, a marriage proposal, or simple acknowledgement by the couple that they are in love. If a consummation happens at the … Continue reading →

Posted in reading, romance novels, writing craft | 2 Comments

Kinesics in Fiction

Posted on March 4, 2010 by Victoria Janssen

The body language of one’s characters of course must have something in common with the readers’ experience, or it won’t communicate anything to them. But how to make descriptions of body language interesting? And reveal character in the specific as … Continue reading →

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Cell Phones Make Life Difficult (For Writers)

Posted on March 3, 2010 by Victoria Janssen

When Tanya Huff’s vampire novels were made into a television series, Blood Ties, the original novels were re-released. The first time I read those books, I’d borrowed them from a friend. This time, I bought my own copies, since I … Continue reading →

Posted in reading, television, writing craft | 1 Comment

Alison’s Wonderland Cover

Posted on March 2, 2010 by Victoria Janssen

Behold the cover for the 7/1/2010 Spice anthology Alison’s Wonderland! Isn’t it amazing? Click on the image for a larger version. My contribution is a small (very small!) reprint of one of my Elspeth Potter stories.

Posted in erotica, promo | 5 Comments