Monthly Archives: February 2011

2011 So Far

Posted on February 28, 2011 by Victoria Janssen

2011 seems to be going well so far, writing-wise. I had January and February off from my choir (rehearsals begin again in March), so I planned deliberately to focus on writing, especially in February. In preparation, in mid-December I read … Continue reading →

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Siegfried Sassoon, “A Letter Home”

Posted on February 27, 2011 by Victoria Janssen

A Letter Home 1 Here I’m sitting in the gloom Of my quiet attic room. France goes rolling all around, Fledged with forest May has crowned. And I puff my pipe, calm-hearted, Thinking how the fighting started, Wondering when we’ll … Continue reading →

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Siegfried Sassoon, “Counter-Attack”

Posted on February 26, 2011 by Victoria Janssen

Counter-Attack We’d gained our first objective hours before While dawn broke like a face with blinking eyes, Pallid, unshaved and thirsty, blind with smoke. Things seemed all right at first. We held their line, With bombers posted, Lewis guns well … Continue reading →

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“Janus: Sonnet,” John M. Ford

Posted on February 25, 2011 by Victoria Janssen

Janus: Sonnet Sufficient time for faith and miracles We find we cannot fit into our days; And nothing’s left at all that joyous dwells Inside the heart. The spark of spirit stays Too small for dreamburst, and all earth may … Continue reading →

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Five Thoughts on Historical Worldbuilding

Posted on February 24, 2011 by Victoria Janssen

1. I definitely prefer when I can spend a lot of time with the historical background of a story, maybe not overtly by making notes but organically, letting my thoughts come together slowly as I read about different aspects of … Continue reading →

Posted in historical fiction, research | 5 Comments

Women Rule The 2010 Nebula Awards!

Posted on February 23, 2011 by Victoria Janssen

Five! Out! Of! Six! (Yes, the cover illustrating this post is meant to be ironic!) In the past, the Nebula Awards have been dominated by male authors. However, this year the number of nominations written by woman are astonishing, and … Continue reading →

Posted in genre, links, sf/f | 6 Comments

Vroom!

Posted on February 22, 2011 by Victoria Janssen

Since I’m currently working on some erotica set during World War One, I’ve gone back to my research materials. The photo above reminded me of one of my favorite scenes in The Moonlight Mistress. It was a scene I didn’t … Continue reading →

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GoodReads, LibraryThing, or Shelfari?

Posted on February 21, 2011 by Victoria Janssen

I currently have accounts at GoodReads, LibraryThing, and Shelfari. I can’t seem to commit to a single one. Of the three, Shelfari seems the least complex, which in some ways is an advantage. Also, I like their “bookshelf” widgets, such … Continue reading →

Posted in books, reading | 2 Comments

Siegfried Sassoon, “Died of Wounds”

Posted on February 20, 2011 by Victoria Janssen

Died of Wounds His wet white face and miserable eyes Brought nurses to him more than groans and sighs: But hoarse and low and rapid rose and fell His troubled voice: he did the business well. The ward grew dark; … Continue reading →

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Siegfried Sassoon, “The Hero”

Posted on February 19, 2011 by Victoria Janssen

The Hero ‘Jack fell as he’d have wished,’ the Mother said, And folded up the letter that she’d read. ‘The Colonel writes so nicely.’ Something broke In the tired voice that quavered to a choke. She half looked up. ‘We … Continue reading →

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