Thank you to the ladies here at Magical Musings for inviting me to join this blog. I’m deeply honored to be in such good company and look forward to getting to know everyone better!
Who is Virna DePaul? I’m a mother of three young boys, a former criminal prosecutor, and a long-time romance reader who loves to travel and see Broadway shows. I’m always struggling to find balance in my life. I want to write incredible books, raise smart, kind, happy kids, keep the romance alive in my marriage, and enjoy the people I love. Every day is a challenge, but I hope I never stop trying. 
I’m published in several genres. In addition to my national bestselling Para-Ops series (think X-men meets Romancing The Stone), I write both category and single title romantic suspense for Harlequin. The first book in my Special Investigations Group series with HQN launched a few days ago with Shades Of Desire. 
I’m also a bestselling indie author of contemporary romance, paranormal romance, and erotic romance (I write the Red-Hot Cops novellas as Ava Meyers). Finally, I have an exciting deal in the works. I’ll share as soon as it’s official!
So…anyone a Glee fan? As I write this blog, I’m looking forward to this season’s graduation episode. I’ve heard the “seniors” will really be moving on. Exciting but also scary. What if I don’t like the new cast? What if the “feel” of the show is different? While these may seem like trivial concerns, it’s a reminder that fear, small or big, can be damaging.
Fear is a sneaky, insidious thing. It can stop me from watching an evolving show, sure, but it can also stop me from doing far more important things. For years, it’s what kept me from traveling. It stopped me from writing until I was desperate to quit my law job. It’s what often paralyzes me in front of the computer, worrying that my words will never be good enough.
Each day is a struggle to conquer fear. To shake it off. To move forward. Even if I falter, even if I back up or am pushed back…
I. Must. Keep. Going.
That’s my right and that’s my one true power.
One of my favorite Glee songs is the series original hit Loser Like Me. It perfectly sums up the struggles of the main characters to embrace who they are despite those trying to keep them down. Others may call us “zeros” “freaks” and “losers,” but the lyrics encourage us to shake that off and move toward our promising futures.
“Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.” — Dale Carnegie
Or as Dory, the fish from Finding Nemo, says: “Just keep swimming…”
Readers, I look forward to sharing more about myself and learning more about you. For now, how are you going to move beyond your fear today?
Welcome, Virna! I find a certain level of fear can be highly motivating. The only problem is there can be a fine line between motivating and “deer in the headlights” (at which point, I freeze up, and all bets are off!). Today, I’m going to unplug and take a walk on the beach. May not sound like much, but I’m in the midst of some life-plotting (sorta like story plotting, but with real-life effects), and I definitely am wringing with a few fears there. I find fresh air, sunshine and physical activity really help me confront the fears instead of avoiding them.
Amy, I agree with you about some fear being motivating. Walking on the beach is my favorite way to mull important issues over. I hope yours leads you to peace and certainty!
Hi Virna! Welcome to the group!
Of course as romance writers we just want everyone to end up with a hea, lol.
I hadn’t watched Glee in awhile, but watched the final episode and it was so sad! I sort of knew what would happen, but still sad
Hi Lori,
It was much sadder than I expected. I understand why they did it, but I agree about that HEA. Thanks for commenting!
Welcome Virna! I’m a Glee fan. I have 3 episodes left to watch this season. I’m really afraid the show will “jump the shark” next season, however, I’m not sure how many characters will actually be gone. They seem to be setting it up to have part of the show set in NY. Not sure how that’ll work.
I have this fear every time I send off a query or manuscript to an agent or editor that it’s riddled with errors. (Had that happen once when a new version didn’t save.) So I end up sitting on an ms or query and critiquing it to death, which drives me nuts, rather than getting it out. My goal this week was to get 25 queries out to agents and I finally just said I gotta do this, because I leave next week for a 17 day work trip. That forced me to do it and I got two requests for full this week! Worth getting over the fear.
Good luck with the writing and blogging!
Beth!! Congratulations on the two full requests. That’s fabulous and certainly proof that working past our fear is worth it. Fingers crossed for you and thank you for welcoming me to the blog.
It is nice to meet you, Virna! I used to be a very fearful person. Thanks to my faith and my husband I have learned to conquer a lot of fears and give them up to God. I also watch my mother struggle with so many of her fears that they prevent her from living life. I don’t want to do that. I am also a person that wants to be in control but realize I can’t control many things and sometimes when you let go of that control (even though giving up control is fearful) it can be freeing. Thanks for your post and I am going to check out your website and books!
Hi Amy, I’m so glad you’re working to overcome your fears. It’s really hard for me to let go of control, too, but it IS freeing to know we can depend on others to be there for us. Thanks you for commenting and for checking out my books! Take care, V
Welcome, Virna! I’ve been hearing so many good things about you from Karin, and it’s a pleasure to have you in our group. I think fear makes me learn more and try harder and write a better book. And I actually thought of “just keep swimming song” earlier this week. I was singing that over and over to myself. Some days that’s what it’s about: just swimming to stay afloat. Other days it’s playing in the water and having a blast. Today I plan to play in the water.
Hi Edie! Thank you, I’m so happy to be here! And yes, a little fear pushes us to learn and challenges us to be better writers. I can totally picture you splashing around in the water and having a great time! Have fun!
Virna, so lovely to have you here.
I’m the typical Virgo control freak, but I’ve made peace with most of the things I can’t control. In the publishing business, I think you have to do that, or go nuts.
Michelle Diener`s last blog was …Cover reveal: The Emperor’s Conspiracy
Thanks, Michelle. Letting go is a hard lesson to learn. I’m still trying!
Virna,
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Welcome to MM!! It’s wonderful to have you join us
I really loved the Dale Carnegie quote, and I share the struggle you talked about at finding/keeping balance in my daily life. One of the things I’m trying to do better deal with fear and change is to establish more of a routine — to actually build in time to exercise and get enough sleep — because I tend not to do that otherwise. I’m much calmer and able to handle everything better when I’m well rested!
Hi Marilyn!! Good for you for building routine into your life, especially for exercise and sleep. I tend to love naps, but as for the other…
Thanks for commenting!
Yay! You’re here! Fear? Hmm, I have learned over the years that the monster in the closet is much scarier in my head then in reality.
Karin* Tabke aka Harlow!`s last blog was …CAPA Winner!
Hi Karin!!! HUGS!! Thank you again for inviting me to join the blog! It’s hard to imagine you scared of anything, but yes, when we fuel the monsters in our own head, watch out!
So glad you’ve joined us, Virna! And, wow, you are one busy woman! Can’t wait to hear your exciting news!
Cynthia Eden`s last blog was …ANGEL BETRAYED Giveaway
Thanks, Cynthia! I’m happy to be here.
Hi, Virna. Welcome to the group. I think you’ll find we’re a pretty tight bunch.
I think fear grips a lot of writers. I really don’t think about it nor do I let it paralyze me. I’ve learned to put certain aspects of my life into a little box in my head and ignore it until its time to deal/confront it. Does that sound weird? When you’ve lived with cancer as long as I have, you don’t sweat the small stuff. I’m not saying that writing is the small stuff, but I’ve learned priorities.
Hope you enjoy being a part of MM.
Hi Liz! Thanks for the welcome. Yes, it’s amazing how many “smaller” fears we focus on when a bigger one always looms on the horizon. I admire your determination to push fear aside and focus on your blessings!
Hope you’re doing well!
Hi Virna,
Welcome to Magical Musings! We’re so delighted you could join us. Although how you have time with all your projects is amazing!
I’m so not a fearful person -I’d do better if I were a little more cautious
But I tend to dive right in.
Dale Mayer`s last blog was …Update on my books in progress!
Hi Dale, Being a diver must be so much fun! Maybe the ideal would be a “discriminating diver”?
Thanks for the welcome and I look forward to hearing more about your adventures.
Thx for the fun blog Virna. GORGEOUS cover on Shades of Desire.
Virna, welcome to MM and thank you for joining us. You are one busy author! I look forward to reading your blogs and getting to know you and your writing better.