Author Archives: Victoria Janssen

About Victoria Janssen

Victoria Janssen [she, her] currently writes cozy space opera for Kalikoi. The novella series A Place of Refuge begins with Finding Refuge: Telepathic warrior Talia Avi, genius engineer Miki Boudreaux, and augmented soldier Faigin Balfour fought the fascist Federated Colonies for ten years, following the charismatic dissenter Jon Churchill. Then Jon disappeared, Talia was thought dead, and Miki and Faigin struggled to take Jon’s place and stay alive. When the FC is unexpectedly upended, Talia is reunited with her friends and they are given sanctuary on the enigmatic planet Refuge. The trio of former guerillas strive to recover from lifetimes of trauma, build new lives on a planet with endless horizons, and forge tender new connections with each other.

Short Fiction FAQ – Part One

Posted on September 15, 2009 by Victoria Janssen

Establishing yourself as a writer of short fiction can pay a little money and, more importantly, establish a “track record” which can help in making valuable contacts among your fellow writers, editors, and agents. Short fiction also provides experience with … Continue reading →

Posted in business of writing, erotica, short fiction | 4 Comments

Writing is In the Mind

Posted on September 14, 2009 by Victoria Janssen

So much of writing is in the mind. Not just coming up with ideas and arranging words into sentences. To write novels, to keep up the sustained effort necessary, a psychological approach to writing is often required. For me, that … Continue reading →

Posted in writing, writing process | 4 Comments

Siegfried Sassoon, "The General"

Posted on September 13, 2009 by Victoria Janssen

The General ‘Good-morning; good-morning!’ the General said When we met him last week on our way to the line. Now the soldiers he smiled at are most of ’em dead, And we’re cursing his staff for incompetent swine. ‘He’s a … Continue reading →

Posted in sassoon, wwi poetry | Comments Off

Historic New York City

Posted on September 11, 2009 by Victoria Janssen

5th Avenue, New York City, 1900 Hester Street, New York City, 1903 Madison Square, New York City, 1908 Photos courtesy of WikiMedia Commons. Another Snippet Saturday tomorrow – the theme is Worldbuilding.

Posted in images, research | Comments Off

Five Ways Of Thinking About A Writers’ Conference

Posted on September 10, 2009 by Victoria Janssen

Five Ways Of Thinking About A Writers’ Conference 1. Do I have enough contacts with readers and other writers? Hint: The answer to this is always no. Can I afford the time and money to attend this conference? 2. Budget … Continue reading →

Posted in business of writing, conferences | 8 Comments

Vampire Books I Like – Science Fiction

Posted on September 9, 2009 by Victoria Janssen

I am not a huge fan of vampire romance, so my favorite vampire books are mostly from the science fiction and fantasy genres. Here are my top three science fiction choices. My all-time favorite vampire book is The Vampire Tapestry … Continue reading →

Posted in reading, recommendations, vampires | 4 Comments

Love of LIFE, not just a tv detective show

Posted on September 8, 2009 by Victoria Janssen

I’m in mourning for Life, a television detective show starring Damian Lewis and Sarah Shahi. It went two seasons and has been cancelled. I heard a lot about it from friends before I actually saw it; I wanted to see … Continue reading →

Posted in genre, television | 2 Comments

Writing Elsewhere

Posted on September 7, 2009 by Victoria Janssen

Someone asked me recently about my office, and I told them I don’t have one. I live in an apartment, and there’s no separate room where I can go to write. In fact, my bedroom and living room are really … Continue reading →

Posted in writing, writing process | 2 Comments

Siegfried Sassoon, "Remorse"

Posted on September 6, 2009 by Victoria Janssen

Remorse Lost in the swamp and welter of the pit, He flounders off the duck-boards; only he knows Each flash and spouting crash, –each instant lit When gloom reveals the streaming rain. He goes Heavily, blindly on. And, while he … Continue reading →