Welcome to Black Lagoon Reviews Virna! I'm really excited to have you here.
About Virna DePaul:
Depaul is a former criminal prosecutor whose debut mass market paranormal romantic suspense novel, Chosen By Blood (Book 1 in the Para-Ops series), comes out May 3, 2011 by Berkley Books. In addition, she writes contemporary romantic suspense for Silhouette Romantic Suspense and HQN. Virna also writes erotic romance, including her popular “Red-Hot Cops” series, under the name Ava Meyers. You can find Virna's books in bookstores and on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other ebook retailers.
Visit her at http://www.virndepaul.com/.
Thank you to Wenj for having me at Black Lagoon Reviews! I'm excited to be here and share my thoughts on why I write what I do.
I've always been an avid reader of romance and, although I have my favorites, I like to read a variety of genres. I also like to mix things up when I write. So far, I've written short story, category, and single title length novels. I've also tried my hand at contemporary romantic suspense, paranormal romantic suspense, contemporary romance and, most recently, erotic romance. Each story has taught me something about craft and about myself.
No matter what type of story I write, however, it will almost always be about two people passionate about each other and life; thus, these stories will have love scenes. The degree of heat involved varies because readers have their own tastes, and I distinguish my erotic romance by using a pen name—Ava Meyers. Readers who want sexy, suspenseful stories know they'll find those under Virna DePaul, but readers who want super-hot, no-holds-barred passion will know to pick up an Ava Meyers book.
There are those who will be surprised by my decision to write erotic romance. I'm still a bit surprised. I definitely tend toward the quiet, shy and modest side—no communal dressing rooms, please! However, there’s much truth to the idiom “still waters run deep.” You never know what’s going on inside that shy, quiet person you know. Part of the reason I love writing romance is that I can express different parts of myself: the dreamer, the bitch, the hedonist, the neurotic,and so on.
I’m particularly drawn to writing romantic suspense and paranormals because those stories involve outsiders struggling to fit in or ordinary people digging deep within themselves to overcome a crisis. I love writing erotic romance because it often deals with women afraid to show their complexity or voice their fantasies, and how they overcome that fear. Erotic romance is a love story that delves deeply into women's fantasies and empowers them to explore their sexuality without shame. Plus they can be just pure fun!
I am a blend of the person I show to others and who I am deep within my heart and soul; so is my writing. Writers create new worlds not just for their readers, but for themselves, and when I’ve done it well and satisfied a reader, I’m flooded with an incredible sense of pride. As I grow throughout my life, I will push my writing to grow, as well.
4 comments:
I'm new to reading romance, and I was surprised how empowering some of it is for women. I had some preconceived notions about it that simply weren't true. Great post.
Hi Wenj and Virna! Great guest post.
Virna I find it interesting that you use to be a prosecutor and now a romance author. Both great careers. What made you decide to jump from careers that are so vastly different?
I'm looking forward to your new novel Chosen by Blood. I love the cover.
Hi Suzanne, A lot of people have preconceived notions about romance, but I'm glad you were able to look beyond that and give it a try! Hope you continue exploring all the great stories that are out there!
Ing,
I enjoyed being an advocate for justice, but the price was often working with unsavory people (and not just the defendants) and focusing on very negative things in the world. By writing romance, I can challenge my characters and put them through the wringer, but I know that by the end of the story they will have their happy ending. Writing also presents so many different directions to go in. The potential for growth is limitless if you're willing to try different things. Thank you for your interest in Chosen For Blood and for stopping by to comment. And I LOVE the cover, too!!! :)
@ Suzanne, this was my issue too at first. When I opened BLR, however, I got a few requests to review romance novels and haven't looked back. I was quite surprised by how well written and engaging they actually were. Defintely not at all what I thought and I'm so glad I gave them a try! Hope you will too!! :D
Post a Comment