Food porn in fantasy writing

[Gurkhal]

Personally I love hit, and its another reason as to why I like Asoiaf.

 

[Penpilot]

But at the same time, too little can make some guests question where their food is. A fully realised world where food plays no role? That would stand out to me personally.

I think it depends on the importance of the food storywise and characterwise. Focus on it too much and it can be distracting. If the POV character has no interest or deep love of food other than eating it to survive, it'll feel awkward if they lingered too much on the subject of food. Because when a story spends a lot of time focused on a thing, the reader starts to think it might be important to the plot. If it isn't, the reader may think what was the point?

 

[A. E. Lowan]

I'm reminded of a meme I saw not long ago that said something along the lines of, "Fantasy authors, next time your character eats cheese, can you please tell us what kind?" Food literally flavors the world and contributes to character building. Is your MC drinking decadent chocolate, or an apple core from the gutter? Is the cheese sharp and nutty, or stale, moldy, and of a questionable color? And what are we drinking today? One of our FMC's is a stimulant addict. She's pregnant and has been able to abstain for a while, now, but her control is slipping. She's also a physician, so when she does slip, she'll still have control of this thing, right? After all, she knows what she's doing.

I think that even small details in food can tell a lot about who we are and where.

 

[MagnetoX1]

Is there anyone here who has read Brian Jacques' "Redwall" series? There are LOTS of descriptions of food, feasting, etc. all through those books (too many examples to list here )

 

[A. E. Lowan]

Is there anyone here who has read Brian Jacques' "Redwall" series? There are LOTS of descriptions of food, feasting, etc. all through those books (too many examples to list here )

Yeah, it's mentioned higher up in the thread. Lovely books. <3

 

[psychotick]

Hi,

I just remembered there's an interesting feast in Skyrim - a quest called the Taste of Death (I think) where you have to persuade your meal to lie down on the table so you can start cutting! That might be food porn of a sort!

Cheers, Greg.

 

[BearBear]

I've done it once and all the better if it adds to the plot or foreshadows something.