RE: The Ultimate Love Language: Food: Tips for Writing Food into Novels

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of working with S.E. Reed and Conquest Publishing on an article about how food can be used in fiction. You can read more about this collaboration on Conquest Publishing’s blog, The Scribbler. But I wanted to expand on this conversation and give you a few tips inspired by my writing process for my debut novel, The Daughter of the Veil, a dark romantasy releasing in December of 2024.

In the article, I discuss how food can serve many purposes in novels. From creating context for setting and world-building to furthering characterization and emotional arcs, food is a powerhouse that authors should never underestimate.

Erissa’s life can be defined by the type of food that she’s used to–restricted, bland, and not very nourishing. After being locked away for most her life, Erissa is each these things. Her life and magic have been restricted, leading to her desire for freedom. Her personality has been squashed to try and make her bland and unassuming, while she wants nothing more than to be herself and be accepted for it. And she is emotionally malnourished from her isolation, making her desire for love as strong as her need for freedom.

But Rhazien? Food represents everything that is good and loving in his life. It’s a part of his family and culture, and Rhazien uses food as an act of self-care toward Erissa as their meals become defining moments between them that break down barriers and build intimacy.

“Eating isn’t about fueling your body—it’s about connecting with others and enjoying your time in their company. Eating is an act of self-care and appreciation, and food is often presented as a gift of honor.”

The Ultimate love language: food ~ The Scribbler

There are several dishes served in The Daughter of the Veil that are inspired by my own family meals and favorite foods. And funny enough, the book even contain a scene where Rhazien makes a rabbit stew– did I mention that I am deathly allergic to rabbit meat and hair?

Stews and fruits are a staple in the novel, and this is an intentional choice. Stews with a side of fruit and bread are some of my favorite meals. A good hearty stew is soul-nourishingly warm, and after everything that Erissa has experienced in life, she deserves a soul-deep level of comfort from a good meal with a person who lovingly makes it for her. And there’s nothing more powerful than a hearty stew on a cold or rough day.

So how do we write food into fiction so that it’s an active part of the story? By creating an inviting and relevant experience that your reader can relate to. There are three simple ways that I like to recommend to editing clients to help make their use of food seamlessly incorporated into the narrative and authentic in its use:

Tips for Incorporating Food into Novels

1. Make the food choice intentional.
   • When I teach writing to students, the first thing I focus on is developing context. Nothing should be included without it contributing to a greater purpose, and food choices should function the same way. You wouldn’t have your characters eating ice cream cones in the middle of a blizzard when they’re trying to keep warm, and you wouldn’t have them eating something that reeks of raw onions before a spicy scene. Keeping the food choices intentional will help them to match the context and tone of the scene, and you can also use that intention to build the details, plot, or arc.
2. Use all five senses.
   • One of the biggest complaints readers have about certain genres–I’m looking at you YA fantasy!–is that characters never eat or take care of other basic needs. So when writers do add food to the story to fix this issue, they write about a generic meal sitting out on a generic table as the characters nibble on bread, cheese, and maybe a meat pie. But that doesn’t sound good, does it? Incorporating food should be as immersive as the world-building and setting, especially when it comes to fantasy and sci-fi novels. Don’t stop at setting the scene. Expand on those details. Does the character have to wipe the grease from their hands after picking up the meat pie? Does the crust flake and crumbs scatter across the table with each bite? Are the scents mouthwatering? Is there a crunch with that first bite? Is the character entranced by trying a new food and having its flavor burst across their tongue? It’s these details that will draw your reader into the story and make the food a functional part of the scene rather than background noise that the reader tunes out.
3. Create intimacy through shared meals.
   • Intimacy can mean a lot of things, so when I talk about intimacy here, it doesn’t necessarily mean romantic intimacy. Sure, Erissa and Rhazien do a fair bit of teasing over their meals, building that romantic tension in a way that transitions well into spicier content, but that’s not the only kind of intimacy they create. Platonic intimacy is a crucial part of creating an inviting and relevant experience for the reader, and we establish this through small details. Think about The Lord of the Rings and its use of food. As the reader (or movie watcher), we learn a lot about how Hobbits interact with teach other through their structured meal times and love of sharing food with one another. We learn about breakfast, second breakfast, elevensies, and how potatoes are essential to a happy life. It not only creates a clear picture of Hobbit culture, but it also tells the reader a lot about characterization. And it’s in these moments that the characters are chatting and bickering good naturedly that their friendships are cemented–that’s the kind of intimacy that food can create.

It might seem too simple when you break it down, but that’s all it takes– intention, the five senses, and intimacy in the smaller details. So the next time you’re working on a scene, consider adding some kind of food to it. That shared meal can redefine interactions in ways that will surprise you, and it just might take your characters in a direction you never expected.