Shelley Munro Blog

The following ad for Cadbury appeared on our television just over a week ago. The gorilla caught my attention quickly followed by the music. I watched the entire ad, spellbound, even though I had no idea what it was advertising. I think it was the combination of the lifelike gorilla playing the drums and the awesome Phil Collins soundtrack. I even mentioned the ad to hubby. Whenever it plays, I stop to watch. Here’s the ad from youtube.

Today I went to itunes’ New Zealand store to download a couple of songs. I’d decided to download the Phil Collins song as well. I couldn’t remember the name but figured I’d find it with a search. I didn’t have to search. Other New Zealanders had the same thought as me and the song is currently at #2 on the top ten songs downloaded from itunes. Such is the power of advertising.

This made me think, so here’s a note to the writers of the Grey’s Anatomy series. Don’t you think it’s time to feature something regarding erotic romance in your show? I have the perfect books for your characters to read. Good plot, great characters. Well written. You can use them for free in your show. Email me and we’ll talk…

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?