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.

The Obligatory Writing-Music Post

Posted on May 18, 2009 by Victoria Janssen

Writers often have a close relationship with music. Some write in silence, but those who write while music is playing are often very opinionated on what sort of music they choose, even to constructing playlists for particular novels. I’m a … Continue reading →

Posted in writing, writing process | 5 Comments

Siegfried Sassoon, "Autumn"

Posted on May 17, 2009 by Victoria Janssen

Autumn October’s bellowing anger breaks and cleavesThe bronzed battalions of the stricken woodIn whose lament I hear a voice that grievesFor battle’s fruitless harvest, and the feudOf outraged men. Their lives are like the leavesScattered in flocks of ruin, tossed … Continue reading →

Posted in sassoon, wwi poetry | Comments Off on Siegfried Sassoon, "Autumn"

Siegfried Sassoon, "Dead Musicians"

Posted on May 16, 2009 by Victoria Janssen

Dead Musicians IFrom you, Beethoven, Bach, Mozart,The substance of my dreams took fire.You built cathedrals in my heart,And lit my pinnacled desire.You were the ardour and the brightProcession of my thoughts toward prayer.You were the wrath of storm, the lightOn … Continue reading →

Posted in sassoon, wwi poetry | Comments Off on Siegfried Sassoon, "Dead Musicians"

Pirate Romance For The Win!

Posted on May 15, 2009 by Victoria Janssen

I think romances with pirates in them, or at least sea adventure, have some of the best backcover copy ever. These are best enjoyed if read with great expression and appropriate emphasis on any use of pirate/sea/sailing terminology. Bonus emphasis … Continue reading →

Posted in pirates, reading, romance novels | 4 Comments

Werewolves in Moonlight Mistress

Posted on May 14, 2009 by Victoria Janssen

The first thing I like about werewolves is that, unlike vampires, they are alive. And they will eat you. All up. Second, I like the fur. Who wouldn’t? Warm, furry werewolf to snuggle up to at night? And when they … Continue reading →

Posted in moonlight mistress, paranormal, werewolves | Comments Off on Werewolves in Moonlight Mistress

Of Wolves and Men

Posted on May 13, 2009 by Victoria Janssen

This post includes some of my research on wolves, for Moonlight Mistress. I particularly liked Of Wolves and Men by Barry Holstun Lopez, because it featured a lot of observations he and others had made in the wild. The book … Continue reading →

Posted in moonlight mistress, research, werewolves | Comments Off on Of Wolves and Men

Resting, or Not-Writing

Posted on May 12, 2009 by Victoria Janssen

There’s an expression British actors use: when they’re out of work, they don’t say that they’re unemployed, they say that they’re “resting.” I like that for more than one reason. “Resting” is an active verb. You’re doing something if you’re … Continue reading →

Posted in writing process | 5 Comments

Reading For The Writer

Posted on May 11, 2009 by Victoria Janssen

One of the most important things I do as a writer is read. I don’t think it’s possible to become a writer unless you’re a reader first, and for most writers, reading is as integral to their development as writing … Continue reading →

Posted in reading, research, writing, writing craft | 2 Comments

Siegfried Sassoon, "The Investiture"

Posted on May 10, 2009 by Victoria Janssen

The Investiture God with a Roll of Honour in His handSits welcoming the heroes who have died,While sorrowless angels ranked on either sideStand easy in Elysium’s meadow-land.Then you come shyly through the garden gate,Wearing a blood-soaked bandage on your head;And … Continue reading →

Posted in sassoon, wwi poetry | Comments Off on Siegfried Sassoon, "The Investiture"

Siegfried Sassoon, "Dreamers"

Posted on May 9, 2009 by Victoria Janssen

Dreamers Soldiers are citizens of death’s grey land,Drawing no dividend from time’s to-morrows.In the great hour of destiny they stand,Each with his feuds, and jealousies, and sorrows.Soldiers are sworn to action; they must winSome flaming, fatal climax with their lives.Soldiers … Continue reading →

Posted in sassoon, wwi poetry | 1 Comment