Story Starter! What Do Your Characters Eat?

Photo courtesy of: Jill Wellington; courtesy of: Pixabay

A fun way to enhance character development is to add the different foods they like to eat or a scene where they are eating a meal with others. It's a great way to introduce different characters to your story and offer insight into how they view your protagonist.

I like to think of it as bringing home a friend to meet the family for the first time.

You learn a lot about people over a family meal: Spontaneous conversations spring up about childhood memories or absent family members, the social dynamic of the members can be found out (eye contact, vocal inflection) and of course, what they're eating and how they're eating it.

These little strategic insights can be helpful for the reader to understand the main character's background.

Photo courtesy of: mohamed Hassan; courtesy of: Pixabay

Are they using chopsticks or forks and knives? Are they vegetarians or serious meat eaters? Does anyone at the table have food allergies or religious reasons for avoiding certain foods? Are they eating eloquently or shoving the food down their gullet?

Two of my favorite series, The Harry Potter Series and The Hunger Games Series, use food excellently to enhance the characters' lifestyles and reactions to hunger in desperate situations.

In The Deathly Hallows Ron Weasley has a hard time dealing with his hunger while on the run, whereas Harry who'd lived in a household that fed him just enough to survive could cope with it much better.

Growing up with little food, Katniss Everdeen became a hunter to supplement her family's diet. This skill was critical in helping her compete in the Hunger Games.

Photo courtesy of: Ciker-Free-Vector-Images: courtesy of: Pixabay

If you'd prefer not to add a full-blown scene with a meal try incorporating one or two snacks your character enjoys eating.

For example, if I wrote about a character who ate fried locusts, you'd have an immediate reaction and form an opinion about them. Are they from a region where eating locusts is common practice or a quirky soul who relishes trying new things?

Only the writer can answer these questions. So go on and give it a try. It's fun and will help you and your readers get to know your characters a little better.


I'd luv to read your creations. Feel free to share them in the comment section.