Taste of Kiwi: Blog of Author Shelley Munro

During a visit to my local library this week I picked up a copy of Twitter for Dummies by Laura Fitton, Michael E Gruen and Leslie Poston.

Here are thirteen tips I came across while reading Twitter for Dummies.

1. Some of the best profile pages are the ones where the owner gives hints of their personality, so personalize as much as possible e.g. if you love to cycle use a picture of cyclists as your background.

2. People generally don’t like to follow you back if you haven’t loaded an avatar, so make sure you load one!

3. TwitBacks www.twitbacks.com is a site that features free Twitter templates for those who don’t possess the technical skills to design their own.

4. Twitter is designed to enable users to use it in a multitude of ways. Some people use the Twitter website while others use the mobile interface (phones etc), widgets or gadgets. I read my tweets on my iPad and use the Flipboard app. This app is the best thing since sliced bread since it incorporates Twitter, Facebook and my Google Reader blog feeds into a magazine format.

5. Twitter lists are an excellent way to filter your tweets into manageable bites.

6. It’s possible to follow other users’ lists e.g. if you follow a person you went to school with and they have a list of other classmates, you can follow this list, which brings all the tweets from ex-classmates together. Note – you can only follow a list if it’s not a private one.

7. To encourage people to follow you:
a) be real and genuine
b) be interesting and talk about your interests – your enthusiasm will shine through
c) be involved – search out people with your interests such as cycling or traveling

8. If you’re following a celebrity or a public company check to see that they’re verified. Verified accounts are those that Twitter staff have checked and are genuine. Impersonating someone on Twitter violates Twitters terms of service.

9. How often should you tweet? It depends on the person. Four or five tweets a day is good for a beginner. Make sure you talk with people and not at them.

10. If you’re looking for Twitter trends check out TwitScoop www.twitscoop.com or WhatTheTrend www.whatthetrend.com

11. To search for trending topics and popular hashtags check out Twellow www.twellow.com

12. To prevent spam, the Twitter team has limited the number of twitterers that users can follow to 2000 until they have roughly that number of followers themselves. Once an account reaches 2000 followers Twitter allows the user to follow more accounts.

13. If you want to know about the different hashtags check out www.hashtags.org

Do you have any Twitter tips? Are you on Twitter? Let me know your Twitter handle in the comments section so I can follow you.

I picked a random topic this week. Most people enjoy listening to music, but do you play an instrument?

Thirteen Types of Musical Instruments

1. Piano

2. Clarinet

3. Bodhran – Irish drum

4. Saxphone – a very sexy instrument

5. Violin

6. Acoustic guitar

7. Banjo

8. Triangle

9. Bagpipes

10. Ukulele – the instrument that most NZ pupils learn at schools these days

11. Flute

12. Cymbals

13. French horn

I learned the piano for a couple of years. I enjoyed the lessons but didn’t have much natural talent. I also played the recorder at school. I pretty much rocked the recorder.

Do you play an instrument?

Latin phrases are common in the English language. In fact some of them are so deeply entrenched we think of them as English.

Here are Thirteen Latin Phrases

1. Curriculum vitae – a history of work and school qualifications.

2. Carpe diem – seize the day!

3. Circa – approximately

4. Versus – against. Often abbreviated to v or vs

5. Status quo – the existing state of affairs

6. Modus operandi – method of operation

7. Ergo – therefore

8. Post mortem – after death

9. Terra firma – solid ground

10. Persona non grata – an unwelcome person

11. Stet – let it stand. Most writers know this one.

12. In flagrante delicto – caught in the act. Often used in relation to sex.

13.Veni, vidi, vici – I came, I saw, I conquered. Said b y Julius Caesar after a rebellion in Greece.

Source: The Dangerous Book for Boys (NZ Edition) by Gonn Iggulden & Hal Iggulden

Are you familiar with these? Can you add any others?

Underwear is something I think about quite often. I admit to a love of nice lingerie, and I also have to dress my characters, so underwear struck me as a good topic for a TT.

Thirteen Types of Undergarments

1. Bloomers – an old-fashioned type of underwear.

2. G-string – not my personal favorite because I find them uncomfortable.

3. Thermal underwear – not very sexy, but who cares as long as it keeps us warm.

4. Codpiece – what every well-dressed Tudor man wore.

5. Diaper – something that most of us wore as a baby. Interestingly, babies in China don’t wear them. They have pants with a slit at the back.

6. Bra – something to help keep the girls looking perky.

7. Loincloth – a garment from caveman days. Other civilizations wore loincloths too.

8. Jockstrap – something for the boys to wear.

9. Chastity belt – a garment to keep a woman chaste.

10. Boxer shorts – mainly for the men.

11. Long johns – something for grandpas!

12. Push-up bra – something to give a boost.

13. Garter-belt – useful for holding up stockings.

I like comfort combined with silky material and lace. Pretty colors too, although black is better if you intend to do some travel. The heroine in my recent WIP didn’t wear any underwear because she lived in the 1700s.

What is your favorite type of underwear? Writers – what unusual underwear have you inflicted on your characters?

Wolves have loomed large on my mind recently with the release of my latest book Lone Wolf, so this week I thought the differences between wolves and dogs would make an excellent TT topic.

Thirteen Differences Between Wolves and Dogs

1. The skeletons of wolf and dog are quite different. There are diagrams on In the Company of Wolves which show the difference between the two.

2. Dogs behave like adolescent wolves throughout their lives while wolves mature in their behavior.

3. Wolves don’t shed like dogs. They lose their winter coats in spring and grow a summer coat. Our puppy seems to shed constantly!

4. Wolves tend to do what they want to do whenever the mood strikes them, while dogs happily wait for their owners.

5. Wolves seldom bark while barking is the main method of communication for a dog.

6. Wolves typically ingest fur, bones and other things while these things would make a domestic dog ill.

7. The muzzle of a wolf is typically much longer than a dogs.

8. Every wolf in the pack helps to raise the pups. They regurgitate food for the pups. Dogs don’t do this.

9. Wolves rarely kill anything for fun. When they make a kill it’s for food. Dogs can kill as a type of game i.e. to show their masters how clever they are.

10. Wolves come into heat only once a year while dogs come into heat several times.

11. Wolves have much smaller litters 2 – 4 pups. A dog can have up to 12 puppies.

12. Wolves have longer legs, bigger feet and broader skulls than dogs.

13. Wolves live in packs, which have a distinct hierarchy of alpha wolves and submissive wolves. This is apparent even with the pups in the pack.

Source: In the Company of Wolves

Note: that’s our puppy in the photo on the right. She knows she’s not meant to be up on the chair!

I’m visiting Words of Wisdom…From the Scarf Princess today. The Scarf Princess interviewed me about writing, travel and Lone Wolf, my new release from Samhain Publishing.

If you’re a regular visitor to my blog you already know how much I love to travel. Seeing different parts of the world broadens the mind and exposes us to new ideas, experiences and cultures. Personally I think it’s a great way of learning, and my experiences definitely bleed into my books.

Check out my interview, and don’t forget one commenter during my Lone Wolf blog tour will win a $20 gift card from Amazon.

Lone Wolf, my fourth Samhain Publishing release is due out on 23 August. Corey, one of the heroes has a liking for chocolate, which R.J., the other hero indulges.

“Yeah.” R.J. gave him a quick kiss and pulled a small bar of chocolate out of his pocket. He tucked it in Corey’s waistband. “Take care, kid. I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

In honor of R.J. and Corey’s story, today I’m giving you a list of my favorite chocolate things.

Thirteen Chocolate Treats That I Adore

1. Chocolate Chip Cookies – I like the ones with huge chunks of chocolate.

2. Pain Au Chocolate – preferably still warm from the oven and partnered with a latte.

3. Hot chocolate – nothing better on a cold winter’s day.

4. Chilli chocolate – very dark chocolate with the bite of chilli peppers. Very yummy!

5. Chocolate cake – rich and moist with thick chocolate icing and partnered with a glass of cold milk.

6. A chocolate milkshake – the thick kind that is hard to drink through a straw.

7. Choccywoccydoodah – I like watching this program on TV. The shop is in Brighton, England, and their cakes look amazing!

8. Whittakers Ghana Peppermint Chocolate – this is New Zealand chocolate. It’s dark chocolate with a mint filling. They have a very cool ad, which is on Youtube, but it has an over 18 warning on it because of nudity. Link to Whittakers’ ad.

9. After dinner mints – I love the combination of chocolate and mint.

10. Moritz ice creams – various flavors of ice cream with a thick coating of chocolate that crackles when you take a bite.

11. Chocolate truffles – hubby makes some delicious ones that have a hint of orange in them. Yum!

12. Double Choc Muffins – for morning tea with a cup of coffee.

13. Scorched Almonds – I usually only eat these at Christmas time. Almonds covered with a thick coating of chocolate. Very addictive because one is not enough.

What is your favorite chocolate item?

“If I’d observed all the rules, I’d never have got anywhere.” ~ Marilyn Monroe (1926-1962), American actress and singer

Auckland library does an awesome monthly newsletter for romance readers. It’s one of many genre newsletters they send out each month to those who sign up for them. In the recent August one, they featured Rule Breakers i.e. a list of books that feature “rules” in the title. Thank you Auckland Libraries. Your newsletter totally rocks and you did all the ground work on this one.

Thirteen Rule Breaker Romances

1. Bending the Rules by Susan Andersen (contemporary)

2. Breaking the Rules by Suzanne Brockman (romantic suspense)

3. Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake – by Sarah MacLean (historical)

4. Aussie Rules by Jill Shalvis (contemporary)

5. When pleasure rules by J.K. Beck (urban fantasy)

6. The rules of gentility by Janet Mullany (historical)

7. Rules of an engagement by Suzanne Enoch (historical)

8. Rule’s bride by Kat Martin (historical)

9. Breaking the governess’s rules by Michelle Styles (historical)

10. Rules for being a mistress by Tamara Lejeune (historical)

11. Breaking the rules by Tawny Weber (contemporary)

12. Rules of attraction by Christina Dodd (historical)

13. When passion rules by Johanna Lindsey (historical)

When it comes to rules, I’m mostly a good person, but there are a few where I just have to break out and disobey. I’m not telling what they are…

Do you follow rules or do you like to flout convention and break them?

I have author, Miranda Neville visiting me today. She’s celebrating the release of her historical romance, The Amorous Education of Celia Seaton, which is out at Avon on July 26. Her heroine, Celia is taming a dandy, among other things. Please welcome Miranda and read on to learn about Celia…

The 13 Step Guide to The Amorous Education of Celia Seaton

1. The hero starts out needing a good kick in the behind. Tarquin Compton is London’s social leader, famous for his fine figure, perfect dress, and poisonously witty tongue. Someone needs to take him down a peg, or three.

2. Celia Seaton is the woman to do it. He ruined her marriage prospects and she’s angry.

3. When she finds him the wilderness, having lost his memory and most of his clothes, she tells him his name is Terence Fish and they are betrothed.

4. Tarquin isn’t pleased, but “Terence” turns out to be a different guy than she expected: kind, brave, amusing – and really hot.

5. In fact he’s just the man to help her escape across the moors, pursued by the villains who kidnapped her.

6. Tarquin happens to have a naughty novel with him, which Celia finds highly educational. And you know what happens when a man and a woman spend several days alone together. There’s a reason they used to have chaperones.

7. They fall in love.

8. Tarquin gets his memory back and the real trouble starts. He goes back to being the rude dandy she hates so much. Or does he? Perhaps he’s changed.

9. A house party in a ducal mansion provides opportunities for late night corridor prowling.

10. We find out why Tarquin became the way he is – and how he discovers the socially unacceptable Celia is the woman he wants and needs.

11. We learn what Celia’s kidnappers want – and how it relates to the shameful secrets of her past.

12. We meet the villains, some more desperate – and more villainous – than others and learn how our intrepid hero and heroine foil them (of course) as true love overcomes all obstacles (of course)

13. The thirteenth point I leave up to you. What would you like to know?

Blurb:

Being kidnapped teaches Miss Celia Seaton a few things about life

LESSON ONE
Never disrobe in front of a gentleman … unless his request comes at gunpoint.

LESSON TWO
If, when lost on the moors, you encounter Tarquin Compton, the leader of London society who ruined your marriage prospects, deny any previous acquaintance.

LESSON THREE
If offered an opportunity to get back at Mr. Compton, the bigger the lie, the better. A faux engagement should do nicely.

LESSON FOUR
Not all knowledge is found between the covers of a book. But an improper book may further your education in ways you never guessed.

And while an erotic novel may be entertaining, the real thing is even better.

Purchase The Amorous Education of Celia Seaton

To learn more about Miranda and her books visit her website.

CONTEST: Miranda is giving away a $25 Amazon Gift card to one commenter during her blog tour. The winner will be drawn at the conclusion of Miranda’s tour. For full details and more chances to win follow the VBT for The Amorous Education of Celia Seaton

Looking for a good book to read? A bargain? Look no further.

Thirteen Ellora’s Cave Books At A Bargain Price- $1.50 or less–at Amazon

1. Talking Dogs, Aliens & Purple People Eaters – A female alien crash lands in New Zealand. She and her aunt meet a human cop and hook up with a talking dog. Chaos ensues.

2. Sex Idol – Reality shows in the future. Oy, the mind boggles!

3. Summer in the City of Sails – a country girl travels to the big, bad city looking for adventure. She meets a soldier who feels he must babysit her. She leads him a merry chase.

4. Soldier of Fortune – a companion book to Summer in the City of Sails. Vacation lovers have a surprise meeting in a war zone.

5. Playing to Win – A professional rugby player discovers he has a son, but the boy’s aunt and guardian wants nothing to do with him. A romantic suspense with a creepy stalker.

6. Fancy Free – a woman inherits a condom company and is shoved way out of her comfort zone.

7. Make That Man Mine – a secretary decides it’s time to make her move and claim a sexy detective as her own. The detective has other ideas….and a big secret!

8. Issy’s Infatuation – a sports romance featuring rugby. It’s World Cup year for rugby. Get in the mood and follow Issy’s rugby progress.

9. Never Send a Dog to do a Woman’s Job – The talking dog is back again, trying to keep an alien from seducing the heroine. Just quietly…she’s not very good at her job.

10. Wanderlust – Mystery and murder. Become a tourist and go on tour in India. Experience the sights while watching for the murderer.

11. Lynx to the Pharaoh – jump back to the past and visit Egypt…

12. Fallen Idol – more reality shows from the future. This one is a gay romance.

13. Last Wish – a man wants a silver teapot for his mother’s collection and ends up with much more–a testy genie who wants to end his contract. This one is a gay romance.

The above books are also available in other formats at All Romance ebooks. Most of them are selling for $0.74.

Have you purchased any bargain books recently?

As a romance writer I get to think about the male body quite a bit. Hey…stop what you’re thinking right now ’cause it’s all in the name of research.

Thirteen Muscles of the Body

1. deltoid – a large triangular muscle that covers the shoulder joint and is used to raise the arm laterally.

2. gluteus maximus – the outermost muscle of the three glutei found in each buttock.

3. rotator cuff – the group of muscles and tendons used to stablize the shoulder.

4. abdominal – also called the belly.

5. external oblique – the lateral and anterior parts of the abdomen.

6. hamstring – one of the three posterior thigh muscles. (back of leg)

7. pectoralis major – the thick, fan-shaped muscle of the chest. This muscle makes up most of the male chest.

8. biceps brachii – muscle located on the upper arm.

9. biceps femoris – muscle of the back of the thigh, part of the hamstring group.

10. erector – a group of back muscles that run between the lumbar, thoracic and cervical regions.

11. quadriceps – large group of muscles on the front of the thigh.

12. rectus abdominis – controls the tilt of the pelvis and curvature of the lower spine and is part of the abdomen.

13. trapezius – the large superficial muscle of each side of the upper back.

And an extra one: the study of muscles is known as myology

So, given the option and keeping things relatively clean, which muscle would you prefer to stroke?