Welcome, wonderful women of She Writes!
For those of you who are *meeting* me for the first time, I'm the author of the "Solid" series for teens and tweens, but my blog is about food in books. No, not cookbooks - food in FICTION. We all talk about what the characters are doing and whom they're doing it with, But What Are They Eating?
When you think of Lady and the Tramp, you go right to that romantic scene behind Tony’s with the big, beautiful bowl of spaghetti that ends in their sweet doggy kiss, right? Can you even describe any other scene?
Thousands of fans flock to Port Angeles’s Bella Italia where Bella had mushroom ravioli with Edward.
The first thing visitors to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter do is grab a butter beer.
You might be thinking that such scenes or details were only significant in the movies, but I disagree. I think those things – more specifically, those digestible items – only made it into the films because they first resonated with the readers of the books.
Maybe it’s the relatability of characters when they make choices that we also make in our daily lives (as opposed to whether or not to turn into a vampire) that speaks to us. Or maybe it’s that we like to think that if we eat lamb chops and mashed potatoes, we can be strong enough to win the Hunger Games, too.
Or maybe it’s just because people are HUNGRY – for love, for power, for money, for lunch!
Whatever the reason, the food depicted in a book does something for us, so let us read, read, read…and then ask the vital question: But What Are They Eating?
I agree. A reader really gets that sensory detail when food is incorporated into a scene. It can even take you back to a time where you've experienced that particular food, or some likeness of it. I love writing food into my work. As a writer, you actually become the character who's cooking, eating or smelling that food.
ReplyDeleteHi, Shelley! I'm stopping by for the blog hop. Great points about food in fiction. I never really thought about it, but it makes a lot of sense. Nice to meet you!
ReplyDeleteHi Shelley. Thanks for your comments about food and fiction! I guess there is nothing stronger than sensory imagery for a lasting impression. I'm here for the Blog Hop #5, and am so glad to meet you here!
ReplyDeleteWaving back!
ReplyDeleteI have to say, I think this is probably the best idea for a blog I've encountered yet! Whenever I read a book that is strong on culinary detail, I fall in love (and usually sit and whine about how hungry I am!). Out of curiosity, have you read "The School of Essential Ingredients"? I picked that up last spring, and wow, it's full of food. It's about a group of people who meet in a cooking class, and food is used as this lens to examine various experiences in their lives. Anyway, I highly recommend it - it was a pretty fast read, and overall a lovely book.
@ Jamila - No, but it's on my TBR list. Though it'll probably just be for fun, because it's the food aspect'll be too easy for "work," i.e. blogging about!
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ReplyDelete@ All of you fantastic ladies who were kind enough to stop by: You are more than welcome to come back and guest post about the food in your work! Just MSG me through She Writes :)
ReplyDeleteHi Shelley! I remember reading a book when I was younger in which one of the characters was doing a project on 'Things they ate in books' - I never imagined I'd see it in the real world! Great idea!
ReplyDeleteHello, I'm here from She Writes. What a great idea for a blog! All the best with your writing.
ReplyDeleteHi there! I have to say you have a great concept for your blog, and I will be following with interest (and I'll probably get fat after food cravings from what you're writing about :))
ReplyDeleteWhat FUNNN!! I love this idea! Found you on the blog hop and now I have to run off to the kitchen to find something scrumptious!! Happy day, Shelley!
ReplyDeleteI am seriously trying to remember if I wrote about any food in my book...hmmm...I think I did! It is a true story so I'm sure we had to eat something.
ReplyDeleteWhen I grow upp and write fiction I am going to have so much fun writing food...I never thought about it...brilliant!
Food in fiction! What a great idea for a blog. Food doesn't make a big appearance in my book, but it certainly plays a part in a lot. Looking forward to reading your posts.
ReplyDeleteHello Shelley. Stopping by for She Writes Blog Hop. Yes, I do always think of the spaghetti scene in Lady and the Tramp. In fact my family and I once spent a significant part of an evening trying to get a picture of our two dogs doing that scene. We got close but were never successful. Look forward to visiting again.
ReplyDeleteShelley, My book club meets every six weeks and we do a potluck dinner, and we always try to match the food to the book we've just read. It's a fun way to remember the book and the way we use sensory details to implant memories. Great idea for a blog. Good luck!
ReplyDelete@ Doreen - Look back and let me know if you want to guest; we can do a Food Non-Fic week :)
ReplyDelete@ Stacy - Even a bit part can be uniquely significant if you look at it from the right angle!
@ Carol - That is OUTSTANDING. I applaud your efforts ;)
@ Marcia - Have you ever read "The Club of
Angels" by Luis Fernando Verissimo? SUCH a good fit for your club; I don't want to give you any book details beyond: Pick it next!
So glad we've met! I love food in novels, and occasionally get criticized for putting too much in mine...
ReplyDeleteHave you discovered yet Lynne Rees's blog The Hungry Writer (I'm sure it will come up on Google) - I think you two might get along.
To answer your question on my blog, lavender does have a strong taste, and it's very much an acquired one, in my estimation: a little bit scented soap, a little bit cedarwood and astringent grass, difficult to pin down in words.
Hi Shelley, thanks for visiting my site and leaving a comment. She Writer here! I love your site and the notion of hunger. I just wrote a short story about it -- hunger for love , power, confidence. I think it's a big word that means a great deal to women since we are taught to starve ourselves while we feed others around us -- and I don't mean food either. Amazig concept. Following,
ReplyDeleteI've started working on a book, which I've been posting on my blog, and already I've incorporated food into at least two chapters. One involved baking a chocolate peanut butter pie and then throwing it at an annoying housemate. Some readers even asked me for the recipe. The power of food in stories can be, well, dramatic. Great blog! Just stopping by from SW Blog Hopper ball.
ReplyDeleteHi there! Thanks for your comment on my blog! Looking at yours make me hungry!
ReplyDeleteHey Shelly. Thanks for visiting my blog! I completely agree, it's always the food that resonates with me, and I occasionally get some inspiration from it too!
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Hi Shelly. Thanks for your great comment on my blog. I left you a reply there.
ReplyDeleteI love your blog topic! How unique. Never would have thought myself, but I love anything to do with food. My favorite movies: Julie & Julia, No Reservations, Chocolate, Tortilla Soup, Mystic Pizza, The Ramen Girl amd Waitress. Will definitely be back.
Gosh I'm starving now! In one of my books two characters share a pickled onion. You'll have to read it to find out whether that was romantic or not!
ReplyDeleteThanks for leaving a comment on my blog. I might be doodling about food now.
Hi, Shelley, it's great to meet you. What a cool idea for a blog! I look forward to exploring more :)
ReplyDeleteLove your blog, Shelly...such an interesting concept...food in fiction. I don't write fiction, but have been doing some writing about food in my memoir (of the past 17 years I've been an Innkeeper). Thanks so much for stopping by my Women's blog during the Blog Hop. I also have a blog about food and Innkeeping: www.innNotes.blogspot.com. Come take a look when you get a minute.
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