Shelley Munro Blog

Happy New Year!

Mr. Munro and I had a quiet end to 2007 because he’s on call. We had an alfresco dinner, since we’re currently experiencing hot weather, and after walking the dog, watched Blood Diamond. We’ve had a good run on DVDs lately, and Blood Diamond is one I’d highly recommend, if action movies are your style. It stars Leonardo DiCaprio as an ex-mercenary turned diamond smuggler, and is set in Sierra Leone. It’s a gritty movie with a stark portrayal of life in a war-torn country. I was really impressed with DiCaprio’s performance and his accent. The support actors also gave excellent performances. The next movie showing at the Munro home theatre is The Bourne Ultimatum. I’ve heard some great things about this movie as well, and I’m looking forward to seeing it.

This year my blog format will be a little more organized. Each week there will be a guest blogger, a post about something from New Zealand, an update as to where I’m at with writing, a Thursday Thirteen post, and a potpourri post about a topic that interests me. It could be anything from books to movies to whales or travel. I’ll be blogging five days a week (unless I’m on holiday or sick!) and taking the weekends off.

My guest bloggers will be a combination of favorite and new-to-me authors so if you’d like to have a guest spot contact me via my website. I’m also considering doing some reader guest spots where I’ll have an interview format. Once again, if you’re a reader who would like to take part, contact me via my website.

I’m looking forward to the new year. It’s started off hot and sunny, which is a cue for me to get out my bike and do some exercise before I head to the writing cave. I was also lucky enough to receive an ARC of Lauren Dane’s Wolf Unbound, which releases from Samhain Publishing today - 1 Jan 2008. As soon as I’ve done my word target for today I’m starting to read. I can’t wait since I adore Lauren’s books.

I’m going to take a wee blogging holiday until the New Year. Normal posts will resume on Mondays to Fridays from 1st January 2008.

Here’s wishing all my friends and visitors a happy and healthy 2008. May the new year deliver everything you desire.

I’m not generally one to make New Year resolutions but I have made a conscious decision to work extra hard in 2008 and make it a year to remember. 2007 held a few disappointments and set backs for me–just life getting in the way of my dreams–so, it’s onward and upward for 2008. I’m dusting off my dreams and preparing to get to work!

Do you make resolutions for each new year? Do you keep them?

It’s Christmas Eve here in New Zealand. The house is clean ready for visitors, the menu planned, presents wrapped, and hubby and I are pretty organized. We’re about to go for a walk and then spend the rest of the evening relaxing.

I even managed to get my newsletter out today! If anyone isn’t a member of my mailing list and would like me to send them a copy just shout out.

I hope everyone has a happy and safe holiday.

Best wishes for 2008 from,

Shelley, Mr. Munro and Scotty (the wee dog)

Our news is full of David Beckham at the moment since he arrived in Wellington, New Zealand along with the rest of the Galaxy football team yesterday. I must admit I’ve been impressed with the man. I don’t know how he manages to live in the full glare of publicity all the time and still show such charm. Tomorrow the Galaxy play our team the Phoenix and interest is high despite football being a less popular sport down this end of the world. We’re all about the rugby, and I can’t wait for the new season to start early next year.

Our local council has just finished laying new footpaths along a part of the seafront that was previously grass. Good and bad. Good because I can ride my bike along the paths and hardly meet anyone. The scenery is great. Bad because I tend to go for longer bike rides. Too much fitness can be a bad thing!

And in great news, one of my favorite writers, Lori Armstrong (who also writes as Lorelei James) has signed a two book contract with Touchstone Fireside. Congrats, Lori! Check out the special announcement video here.

Yesterday I spent the day kayaking with a women’s adventure group. It was my first outing with the group and although I didn’t know anyone, I had a blast. Everyone was very friendly. We traveled over the harbor bridge to Wenderholm regional park, which is north of Auckland and kayaked up the Puhoi river. It was fun, and I didn’t fall in or topple the kayak, which was a plus!

The weather wasn’t the best but I figure it didn’t really matter since I managed to get wet just paddling. Today my shoulders are a bit sore, although not as bad as I thought they’d be. No photos since I didn’t trust myself with the camera near water.

My edits for Assassin arrived yesterday while I was galavanting around so that’s my mission for today. After the last couple of action-packed days it’s actually a relief to sit still.

How was your week? Do you have any special plans for the weekend?

I visit Murder She Wrote, a blog written by several mystery/romance writers when I remember. I wish they’d set up a RSS feed so I could receive a visual reminder of a new post because they have some interesting stuff. Natalie R. Collins’s post today is full of advice from published writers about writing and the business. I found it really useful even though I’m published. Definitely check it out if you have a minute.

I’m quietly pleased with my writing progress this week. I’ve written 2000 words each day on my next Middlemarch story plus I’m polishing another story. I just need to do a little more tweaking and give this story another read through and then it’s off to my editor.

Tomorrow will be a quiet day on the writing front because I’m heading off to the Ellerslie Flower show with my sister. This is an annual event held every November and it always rains. You can bet on it. Today we’ve had strong winds and torrential rain but luckily the forecast is for better stuff tomorrow. I’m not confident enough to leave my umbrella at home.

I’ve received a new cover for my first Cerridwen Press release, Playing to Win. The wonderful Frauke from Croco Designs designed the cover. In the background there’s a rugby field and a goal post since my hero is a professional rugby player. Playing to Win releases on 17 Jan 2008.

Hubby is away playing in a golf tournament for the Returned Services Association. He rang up all excited this morning to tell me he’d scored a hole in one. It’s every golfers dream to do this but there’s a story attached. He couldn’t see where he’d hit his ball and he thought one of the players in front had stolen his ball. It turned out he was wrong so he was grumpily heading back to the tee to take another shot with a new ball when he decided to look in the hole. That’s where he found his ball. So he’s scored a hole in one but didn’t see it happen. The golf club are bronzing the ball for him. I think he rang most of the family from the golf course to let them know his exciting news.

On 5th November 1605 a man called Guy Fawkes tried to blow up the British houses of parliament. He was part of a group of men and their mission was to kill King James and several of his leaders by setting barrels of gunpowder below the room where a meeting was to be held. Guy Fawkes was meant to light the fuse but the plot was discovered, Guy was captured and subsequently hung.

As early as 1607 the day was celebrated. King James declared the day a public holiday because he was so pleased the plot was foiled. Ever since, Guy Fawkes Day has been a time for merrymaking. It is a holiday that both children and adults can enjoy. And the fun really begins when darkness falls, then “the “Guy” is tossed onto the bonfire, and set alight. Then the fireworks go off, and “the Guy” goes up in a flames.

With our English connection (we’re a member of the Commonwealth and Queen Elizabeth is our sovereign) we celebrate Guy Fawkes day here in New Zealand. During past years accidents with fire crackers, injuries and property damage have increased to the point where there is continual talk about banning the sale of fireworks. This year fireworks went on sale on 2 November. Already we’ve had accidents and fires. Personally, I’m not a fan and our little dog is terrified of them. Things are a little easier now she’s going deaf but she’ll be sleeping inside for the next two weeks until everyone in the neighborhood uses up their supplies! It wouldn’t worry me at all if firework sales are banned to the public and only public displays were allowed. We normally have a family get together, a BBQ and when it gets dark the fireworks come out.

Does anyone else celebrate Guy Fawkes day? What do you do to celebrate?

We had an awesome weekend in Rotorua and Taupo, although the weather wasn’t the best. I’ll post some photos later in the week but my highlights for the weekend were spending time with hubby, going to the Blueberry and Honey places (lots of yummy samples) and our visit to Wai-o-tapu, a thermal area between Rotorua and Taupo. I see Wylie has tagged me with the same meme that Rhian has so visit tomorrow and I’ll reveal all about Auckland.

Woohoo! Hubby and I are off to Rotorua and Taupo for a long weekend. I’m going armed with the camera to take heaps of photos so I can do a photo essay for my upcoming story Playing to Win.

Playing to Win was the first story I ever wrote, although it’s come a long way since the number one draft. It’s a romantic suspense complete with a very scary and determined stalker. The main characters, Lane and Kate go off to Taupo for a weekend, and of course, things take a romantic turn.

We’re also going to Rotorua, which is a thermal center, complete with geysers and bubbling mud pools. I used Rotorua in Never Send a Dog to do a Woman’s Job so I might do a photo essay for that story as well.

Hubby and I watched a DVD tonight of The Marine staring wrestling champ John Cena. There wasn’t much plot but they blew up things and had lots of fist fights. I’m not sure if it was meant to be funny but we laughed a lot. I enjoyed it.

Have a fun weekend. I intend to!

I’m generally a good sleeper. My head hits the pillow and the next thing I know it’s time to wake up. If I dream I don’t normally remember details, but this week has been full of weird dreams.

Three nights ago I dreamed that hubby and I had a red-headed girl with freckles come to live with us. On the whole we were cool with it but I kept thinking to myself, “I’m going to have to talk to her teacher and organize time off next year so we can all go on holiday to the States.” And then I’d wonder if we’d have enough money to pay for the extra plane fare. It was so real I keep looking over my shoulder to see if any red-head kids are stalking me!

Last night was worse. I was in the bathroom and looking into the mirror. I noticed something in my eye and pulled it. This big, long string-like strand came out of my eye and it was a tail. I noticed there was more so I yanked the tail again and a green lizard came out of my eye. It was quite big. I screamed and the green lizard let out a loud shriek and threw up. There was icky green stuff everywhere and at that stage I woke up. The first thing I did was check my eyes. Luckily, they look pretty normal.

I’m not quite sure what to make of all this, but I have realized one thing. I dream in color I was never sure before but now I am.