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.

Thousands of Stories Are Waiting For You…

Posted on February 2, 2011 by Victoria Janssen

…in The Agony Column of the Times, 1800-1870, collected by Alice Clay, at the Internet Archive. If you were lacking in story ideas, you lack no more! Tuesday, November 10, 1850: E.R.C.—CONSENTS. Saturday, January 4, 1851: P.P.P. is implored, for … Continue reading →

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Shades of Critique

Posted on February 1, 2011 by Victoria Janssen

I recently read a novel manuscript for an experienced novelist; this novelist has turned the manuscript in to the editor, but it’s not yet in its final version. That made me think about critiquing, and all the different shades of … Continue reading →

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Writing About Writing When You’re Writing

Posted on January 31, 2011 by Victoria Janssen

I hadn’t been writing for a while when I started up again a week or so ago. There are a lot of reasons, among them needing a break, coming up with my next big project (still working on that!), and … Continue reading →

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Siegfried Sassoon, “The Heritage”

Posted on January 30, 2011 by Victoria Janssen

The Heritage Cry out on Time that he may take away Your cold philosophies that give no hint Of spirit-quickened flesh; fall down and pray That Death come never with a face of flint: Death is our heritage; with Life … Continue reading →

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Edgell Rickword, “Winter Warfare”

Posted on January 29, 2011 by Victoria Janssen

Winter Warfare Colonel Cold strode up the Line (tabs of rime and spurs of ice); stiffened all that met his glare: horses, men and lice. Visited a forward post, left them burning, ear to foot; fingers stuck to biting steel, … Continue reading →

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Philadelphia Fantastic – Victoria Janssen

Posted on January 28, 2011 by Victoria Janssen

The Philadelphia Fantastic Authors and Editors Series invite you to join us to meet author Victoria Janssen reading from her latest erotic novel, The Duke & the Pirate Queen, published by Harlequin Spice. Friday, January 28, 2011 7:30 PM The … Continue reading →

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How to be a Good Panelist

Posted on January 27, 2011 by Victoria Janssen

I recently wrote a couple of posts about moderating panels at conventions and conferences, one on preparing and one on procedures. I realized I should say something about being a panelist, as well. 1. Prepare. At the very least, read … Continue reading →

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5 Ways to Start Your Writing Day Right

Posted on January 26, 2011 by Victoria Janssen

1. Start writing first thing. Okay, I eat first, and brush my teeth, things like that. But I don’t give myself a chance to see that the laundry needs to be done, or remember that I was going to buy … Continue reading →

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“Mama Tried” and Story Structure

Posted on January 25, 2011 by Victoria Janssen

One of my favorite songs as a kid was Merle Haggard’s Mama Tried, which was released in 1968. Recently, I listened to it again. And again. And realized how the complex structure of the song helped to tell a story … Continue reading →

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Current Writing Playlists

Posted on January 24, 2011 by Victoria Janssen

I tend to have a lot of different playlists. This is the one that, right now, says “writing” to me. 1. “This is the Life,” Amy Macdonald 2. “Heroes & Thieves,” Vanessa Carlton 3. “The Garden’s End,” Sarah Blasko 4. … Continue reading →

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