Taste of Kiwi: Blog of Author Shelley Munro

In honor of my recent visit to Wellington, THIRTEEN THINGS about WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND.

1. Wellington is the captial of New Zealand.

2. It is VERY hilly, even more so than Auckland and San Francisco. After a day spent exploring, I woke up the next day with sore thigh muscles. No need to buy a thigh master, just visit Wellington!

3. The city of Wellington is known for its wind. Evidently this is because of its position to Cook Strait. (the passage of water between the North and South Islands of New Zealand. The prevailing North-West winds accelerate through the strait giving 173 days with winds greater than 60kph (32 knots) each year on average.

4. There’s an inland island rare bird sanctuary only 5 minutes drive from the center of Wellington, which is pretty amazing. See yesterday’s post.

5. The parliament buildings are known as the Beehive because of their shape. The Beehive is the newer parliament buildings while the old building is the elegant one alongside.

6. People seem to build their houses on top of hills and they balance precariously. Many of the homes are original Victorian buildings.

7. Wellington is home to Peter Jackson and sometimes called Wellywood.

8. Our national musuem Te Papa is in Wellington. My favorite part was about our animals and I really enjoyed the section on our geology. Mr. Munro and I went into the earthquake simulation, which was amazing – an old building that shook and trembled. The earth moved! In fact, the earth kept moving for a while after we left. It was neat but weird, too.

This is one of the Maori panels plus a model of a moa and our local hawk. Both birds are extinct now but were the largest birds in the world at the time.

9. Wellington sits on a fault line and they have lots of earthquakes.

10. Mt. Victoria gives a scenic view of the city and harbor. I’m glad we could drive up rather than walking! This is me up the top of Mt. Victoria.

11. There are quite a few vineyards around. We went to Martinborough – a relief to walk around here since it was flat!!

12. All the vineyards are close to town. We hired bikes and rode around the vineyards.

13. And we stopped to have lunch and sample some of the wines. This is me relaxing at lunch. We rode around 10kms on our bikes before heading back to the hotel to soak in a spa bath. A very relaxing weekend.

It’s true. I adore eating chocolate. So, to celebrate one of the world’s greatest culinary inventions…

1. In a recent survey 52% of Americans stated chocolate was their favorite flavor. The second favorite flavors were berry and vanilla with 12% of the vote each.

2. Half of Americans (51%) choose what chocolate they eat by the shape of the piece.

3. The melting point of cocoa butter is just below the human body temperature — which is why it literally melts in your mouth.

4. Theobroma Cacao is the official scientific name given to cacao by Swedish Botanist Carolus Linnaeus in the 18 th century. The word Theobroma comes from the Greek language literally meaning, ‘food of the gods.’ While the exact origin of cocoa is still debated, it said to have been introduced by the ancient Maya to Central America from the South American highlands of the Amazon and Orinoco basins. The word for cacao (cocoa in Spanishi) is thought to have been created by the Olmec Indians whom historical linguistical investigations indicate may have been using the term around 1000 BC Mayan Indians were the first to create a beverage from cocoa.

5. Recent studies have shown that eating chocolate may actually be good for you. Researchers have found that raw and / or minimally processed cocoa – as is found in Yachana Jungle Chocolate – contains flavonoids similar to those found in green tea. According to preliminary studies, these antioxidants have been linked to help accomplish the following:

Decrease blood pressure
Improve circulation
Lower death rate from heart disease
Improve function of endothelial cells that line the blood vessels
Defend against destructive molecules called free radicals, which trigger cancer, heart disease and stroke
Improve Digestion and stimulate kidneys
Has been used to help treat patients with anemia, kidney stones and poor appetite

6. Placebo-controlled trials suggest chocolate consumption may subtly enhance cognitive performance. As reported by Dr Bryan Raudenbush (2006), scores for verbal and visual memory are raised by eating chocolate. Impulse-control and reaction-time are also improved. This study needs replicating.

7. Today, chocolates of every description are legal, unscheduled and readily available over the counter. Some 50% of women reportedly claim to prefer chocolate to sex, though this response may depend on the attributes of the interviewer.

8. Acne – There is no established link between developing acne and eating chocolate.

9. Cavities – Studies have not placed chocolate high on the list of cavity-causing products. The cocoa butter in chocolate may provide protection against tooth decay.

10. Addiction – As a food substance, chocolate has no addictive ingredients.

11. Store chocolate in a cool (60-70° F), dark, dry place away from strong-smelling items such as peppermint or dirty socks. Chocolate has a tendency to absorb other odors. Do not store chocolate in the refrigerator.

12. White chocolate is not technically one of the types of chocolate because it does not contain any chocolate liquor. It must contain at least 20% cocoa butter and 14% milk, plus sugar in varying amounts.

13. For all things chocolate in a blog go here.

And final words of wisdom…
Put “eat chocolate” at the top of your list of things to do today. That way, at least you’ll get one thing done.

Are you a chocolate fan like me, and if so, what is your favorite chocolate treat? If…gasp!…you don’t enjoy chocolate, what is your favorite flavor?

In honor of Chinese New Year, which starts today.

1. On February 7, 2008, be sure to wear red, feast on delicious food, tuck money into your wallet and be loving and kind all day because you’ll be invoking the positive power of the Chinese New Year, filling your life with love and luck.

2. 2008 is the Year of the Rat. Rats are said to be imaginative, charming and very generous to those they love – although they do have a tendency to be quick-tempered and over-critical. They are supposed to make good writers, critics and publicists. I am a rat!

3. Famous Rats include William Shakespeare, Prince Charles and Lauren Bacall.

4. The Rat keeps less attractive characteristics hidden, such as cunning opportunism and a drive to get to the top.

5. A Rat is versatile, accomplished in planning and capable of complex abstract notions.

6. Today is a good day to clear away clutter and junk, which can block good fortune. It’s also the perfect time to wash your hair, as this ensures all last year’s unhappy moments will be washed away forever. And I washed my hair today without even knowing! Note – I’ve just read somewhere that washing hair today is bad luck because you wash away all the coming year’s good luck. I’m sticking with the first one!

7. Whatever you wish for, if you do it on February 7, it’ll be drawn to you all year long. I wrote all day.

8. The Year of the Rat is destined to be busy and productive, a year in which we begin to learn to save energy and resources on both a personal and planetary level.

9. Rats know in order to have a future, they must care for what they have in the present (they are excellent hoarders!). Yes, my hubby would agree with this. He made me clean out drawers in the weekend.

10. Rats are in for a productive and extremely busy year. Leadership qualities you possess are recognised, and people who previously didn’t value your skills suddenly begin to see their relevance and purpose, bringing opportunities to reveal your secret talents.

11. In china, ear plugs are handy at this time to dull the firecracker assaults, and prices of hotel rooms tend to go through the roof.

12. The Chinese calendar is different, more fluid, and its New Year begins on the first new moon of the Chinese solar year. So, while this year the year of the Rat begins on the 7th of February, last year’s year of the Pig began on February 18.

13. According to Chinese legend, the twelve animals quarreled one day as to who was to head the cycle of years. The gods were asked to decide and they held a contest: whoever was to reach the opposite bank of the river would be first, and the rest of the animals would receive their years according to their finish.

All the twelve animals gathered at the river bank and jumped in. Unknown to the ox, the rat had jumped upon his back. As the ox was about to jump ashore, the rat jumped off the ox’s back, and won the race. The pig, who was very lazy, ended up last. That is why the rat is the first year of the animal cycle, the ox second, and the pig last.

What sign are you? Check here to find out. Do you think this is an accurate character assessment?

This week fellow author Christine d’Abo mentioned The Writer’s Guide to Character Traits by Linda N. Edelstein. It contains all sorts of neat information and inspired by Christine’s post, I dragged it out of my bookcase.

In her book the author mentions traits of writers. Here are some of them:

1. Creates in order to heal old wounds in themselves.

2. Creative thinkers.

3. Sensitive.

4. Often drink alcohol, especially after forty.

5. Depression in younger writers.

6. Problems with anxiety and drug use.

7. Has to tolerate aloneness.

8. Has to let go of work.

9. Families with mental illness and creativity.

10. Higher rates of bisexuality or homosexuality. (there’s a note about a study done for this one)

11. Abstract thinkers.

12. Fear mediocrity.

13. Disregard routine problems.

As a writer I plain disagree with some of these, although it’s good to know I don’t need to feel guilty about drinking wine anymore. I think writers are articulate, imaginative, driven, fear rejection, respond well to chocolate, have great imaginations, are determined, hardworking, good procrastinators (at times) and can suffer from bottom spread.

I’m sure I’ve missed quite a few. What qualities do you think writers have?

Last weekend when I visited the Botanic Gardens I discovered 2008 is the year of the potato. You learn something every day. So, in honor of the humble potato:

1. Potatoes were first “domesticated” or cultivated in the Andes thousands of years ago. They had hundreds of varieties including a frost-resistant one.

2. The potato derived its name from the American Indian word “Batata”. It was introduced to Europeans by Spanish conquerors in the late 16th Century.

3. Potatoes were not initially accepted in Europe. Some people thought they caused disease.

4. In 1845 and 1846 the potato crop in Ireland was devastated by fungus. The potato had become a major food to the Irish causing the “Irish Potato Famine” which caused many Irish to immigrate. The population of Ireland decreased by nearly two million between 1847 and 1851.

5. The potato is the second most popular food in America, beaten only by milk products.

6. The average American eats over 120 pounds of potato a year.

7. One Medium Potato (150 grams or about 1/3 pound) contains 110 Calories, 3 grams of protein, 23 grams of carbohydrate, 0 grams of fat, 2710 mg of fibre, 10 mg of sodium and 750 mg of potassium.

8. A potato contains 80% water.

9. Potatoes are related to the tobacco and tomato families.

10. Antoine-Auguste Parmentier was a 18th century agronomist who convinced the common French people to accept the potato as a safe food. (They thought it caused leprosy.) He used reverse psychology by posting guards around potato fields during the day to prevent people from stealing them. He left them unguarded at night. So, every night, the thieves would sneak into the fields to steal potatoes.

11. Mr. Potato Head was born in 1952 and was also the first toy to be advertised on television.

12. Instant mashed potatoes (dehydrated potatoes) were introduced commercially in 1955.

13. Marie Antoinette wife of Louis XV was known to wear potato blossoms as a hair decoration.

And a final one – my favorite way to eat a potato is baked in its jacket, served with Greek yogurt and ground black pepper. Hey, I’m on a cutback so I will fit my clothes for Nationals, otherwise I might have said sour cream and butter!! What is your favorite way to eat potatoes?

This is turning into a week of senses. The other day it was scent so I decided to do sound/ hearing today. As a writer’s exercise, I quite often listen for different sounds when I’m out walking or at the mall, and this comes in handy when I’m writing. The following are sounds I heard this week while riding my bike.

1. A jumbo jet roaring overhead.

2. The whirr of my bicycle tires on the pavement.

3. The whistle of the wind as my body resisted it!

4. Various vehicles of different sizes – the purr of a car, the putt-putt of a van and the rumble of a bus.

5. The hiss of a spraypainter when a man painted outdoor furniture.

6. The protesting growl of a lawnmower.

7. The tweet of sparrows.

8. The quack of ducks at the pond.

9. The peel of a church bell ringing.

10. A dog barking.

11. A man shouting on his cellphone.

12. The laughter of children.

13. The wheeze of my breathing when I struggled up a hill.

And one extra one that you might hear today – the jubilant cheer when PLAYING TO WIN, my romantic suspense is finally out at Cerridwen Press.

What sounds have you heard today?

Phobia ~ an irrational fear of a particular person, place or thing.

1. Ailurophobia – fear of cats.

2. Nyctophobia – fear of the dark.

3. Demophobia – fear of crowds.

4. Erythrophobia – fear of blushing.

5. Gephyrophobia – fear of bridges.

6. Gamophobia – fear of marriage.

7. Kakorrhaphiophobia – fear of failure.

8. Phasmophobia – fear of ghosts.

9. Triskaidekaphobia – fear of number 13.

10. Hypengyophobia – fear of responsibility.

11. Musophobia – fear of mice.

12. Ergophobia – fear of work.

13. Lalophobia – fear of speaking.

After typing all these I’ve developed a fear of spelling one of them wrong! I thought I could inflict a phobia on one of my characters. Which one sounds interesting to you? I thought fear of blushing of was an interesting phobia and wondered how the person was going to stop blushing or avoid those who blushed.

When I first started writing romance there were three published authors who gave members of Romance Writers of New Zealand real inspiration. They are Robyn Donald, Daphne Clair and Susan Napier. They are all published with Mills & Boon (Harlequin Presents) and at each conference they imparted their knowledge with enthusiasm. They inspired us all. We soaked up their advice on publishing and craft, entered writing contests and helped each other improve. Now, about ten years later we have so many wonderful published writers to emulate. I thought I’d mention a few and would heartily recommend that you check out their books. There’s a reason New Zealand has so many published writers!

1. Fiona Brand. – Fiona was the first who sold and she wrote initially for Silhouette Intimate Moments. She’s now writing thriller/suspense for MIRA.

2. Nalini Singh – I can truly say, “I remember Nalini way back when…” Nalini writes her excellent Psy series for Berkley and gets better with each book. Which reminds me – I must go and annoy her…

3. Tessa Radley – Tessa writes for Silhouette Desire and I’m positive we’ll see her in single title in a year or two.

4. Amanda Ashby – Amanda’s first book, You Had Me at Halo, has recently been nominated in the RT Reviewer’s Choice awards. If you like paranormal with a little humor definitely check out her book.

5. Sara Hantz – Sara’s debut book, The Second Virginity of Suzy Green, is a Young Adult from Flux.

6. Karina Bliss – Karina used to win all the unpublished competitions and it wasn’t a surprise when she sold to Harlequin Superromance.

7. Leda Swann – Leda is a husband and wife team who write hot and spicy romances for Avon Red and Ellora’s Cave.

8. Abby Gaines – Abby also writes for Harlequin Superromance and uses her interest in motor sport to write for Harlequin’s NASCAR line.

9. Helen Kirkman – Helen writes about brooding Vikings for HQN.

10. Emily Gee – Emily’s first book came out in 2007. She writes dark fantasy with a slight romance element.

11. Yvonne Lindsay – Yvonne is another Desire author. Her heroes – delicious!

12. Jan Colley – yet another Silhouette Desire author. There’s a lot of them down this way. In fact check out Diamonds Down Under. Several of the Desire writers from New Zealand and Australia are writing a series.

13. Natalie Anderson – Natalie’s first book released in 2007. She writes for Harlequin Presents new Modern Extra line.

There you have 13 New Zealand romance authors. I should also mention the founder of Romance Writers of New Zealand, Jean Drew who has an Egyptian time travel with Highland Press. We also have several very talented e-published authors, but that’s a post for another day. And of course, there’s me – Shelley Munro.

Have you read a book by a New Zealand author lately?

I’ve enjoyed sci-fi romance for a long time, and I wish there were more NY publishers publishing this genre. Here are some of my favorite reads.

1. Contact by Susan Grant.

2. Ravyn’s Flight by Patti O’Shea.

3. Too Close to the Sun by Robin T. Popp.

4. The Ties That Bind Us by Christine d’Abo. I’d like to read another – no pressure or anything, Christine

5. Stardoc by SL Viehl – this isn’t really a romance but it’s the first book in an amazing series. There is a romantic subplot.

6. Unmasked by CJ Barry.

7. Overnight Alien by Robin Rotham. Ms. Robin – another please

8. Tripping through the Universe – anthology including a story by me!

9. Planet X by Evangeline Anderson. I’m pretty sure this one won a RT Reviewers’ Choice award.

10. Ghosthunter by Jayne Castle. Some people might argue this isn’t sci-fi but I’m putting it in my list. I love the cover.

11. Hold by Zannie Adams. I read this book recently. Zannie is a wonderful writer.

12. Stranded by Shelley Munro – part of the No Holes Barred anthology. Here’s the link for the print version.

13. Romancing the Alien by Shelley Munro – you didn’t think I’d leave off my talking dogs books, did you? An anthology featuring Talking Dogs, Aliens and Purple People Eaters and Never Send a Dog to do a Woman’s Job. My first two EC books. Talking Dogs finalled in the Eppies and won an eCataromance Reviewers’ chocie award. Both scored great reviews. Yeah, you definitely should check them out

Does anyone else have other recommendations? I know I haven’t mentioned Linnea Sinclair’s or Michelle Pillow’s books. They’re both worth looking at if you enjoy sci-fi romances.

Tirau is a small New Zealand town. It’s pronounced Tee-rau

1. Tirau, originally referred to a hill three miles southwest of the village, is covered with cabbage trees where Maori trapped the keruru (wood pigeon). It was first settled by the Ngati Raukawa, although various tribes won the area in battle before Europeans purchased the surrounding district in 1868.

2. Tirau has always been a rest stop for travellers with the Oxford Royal Hotel operating as a staging post between Rotorua, Cambridge, Lichfield and later Taupo.

3. The benefits of its central location continue today. In fact Kate and Lane from PLAYING TO WIN stopped here for a break during their drive to Taupo. These days the town is unique for its corrugated iron sculptures.

4. A shop disguised as a sheep.

5. A dog.

6. Poppies

7. A book shop.

8. The toy shop.

9. Me standing outside the tourist center.

10. Gourmet Food shop.

11. A garage.

12. A dairy.

13. A gift shop with a pukeko (bird).