Friday, May 21, 2010

Friday's Photolife--Food

How often do we remember our taste buds (or tasty bugs as my daughter used to call them) when we're taking pictures?

When we're at a wedding we will generally remember to take pictures of the cake.
What about the rest of the food?

How about the people enjoying the food? (Or being goofy with it.)
Most people don't like you taking pictures of them eating, but as much time as we spend eating, I think it's important to document that in our picture taking, too.
Drinking.
Being messy.
Licking our chops.

It's all part of life. It's part of who we are. Document it.

Application to writing? Include food in your stories. Describe it. Let it help set the mood. Those who have read The Hunger Games, think about that burnt loaf of bread. What does that add to the story?

21 comments:

Beth Mann said...

Couldn't agree more! I love food, so I think it naturally plays a part in my stories ;P I mean, I'm writing an entire book based on the fact that my main character loves wine...hee hee!

Elana Johnson said...

Food is important in any story -- because people have to eat.

About Me said...
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About Me said...

Food can add flavor to a story (pun intended). I have two scenes in which the food conveys something about that world the characters live in.

lotusgirl said...

Yea for food!

Angie said...

I like food in my stories. I hate pictures of me eating. It makes me feel fat and piggy! Those are cute pictures, though!

Kasie West said...

So true. What your characters are eating can also really say a lot about their personality. Are they the type that would eat sushi or that eat cookie dough straight from the bowl. I think it can add a lot to characterizations. Thanks for the reminder. I'm going to do more of this.

Jackee said...

Ha! Just before I read your example of Hunger Games, that's the book I was thinking of exactly. Only I was thinking of how she uses it to represent the opulence of the Capital, all their rich cuisine. (And the puking to eat more. Ugh!)

Great photos! Thanks, Lois! I love taking pictures of my kids' messy spaghetti or ice cream mugs. :o)

Sherrie Petersen said...

I have lots of photos of my kids eating when they were younger, but you're right. The older we get, the less we want to be photographed eating.

Carolyn V. said...

Isn't sad that I love food so much? I love taking pictures of my kids and their food. They are so funny! =)

Tana said...

Ha! My daughter calls them taste bugs too!!! Every time I'm hungry food ends up in my WIP. It's usually sushi. Go figure.

Jessie Oliveros said...

That's great, Lois. Sometimes we forget that fictional people must eat, too.

Anonymous said...

I am totally with you... well unless someone wants to take a photo of me stuffing my face!!

Hannah Beth said...

I finally made it into your blog! XD yay! I love the pic

Danyelle L. said...

Very true! I think most of my stories have people eating in them. >.< I like the idea of using food as a symbol as well. :)

Grace said...

as always, love your blog!!!

Rebecca Ramsey said...

I love those pics. You know my favorite book for the food references? Walking Across Egypt. My mouth watered the whole time.

Kelly H-Y said...

You are so right! Adored this post and all the fabulous pictures!

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