MARCH: "FOOD"

This month's theme is "Food"

Food plays an obvious and essential part in our lives: nourishment and nutrition. It gives us energy and healthy food such as fruit give us essential nutrients for body and mind. There are also medicinal foods; for example herbs and vitamin rich foods that help us fight a cold may include lemons and Echinacea.

Food extremes could include: starvation if we don't eat anything; vomiting and weight gain if we eat too much; ill health or rotten teeth if we eat too much unhealthy foods.

When writing stories you could imagine what food aliens eat, create a new recipe or write of food that had magical properties.

But food can also be fun. We all have our favourite foods - perhaps like the girl in the picture we love ice-cream. There are also foods that we dislike: perhaps sprouts or liver. There are foods that we are encouraged to eat because they are healthy.

We can write about our food experiences using descriptions such as: sweet, sour, smooth, crunchy, delicious, bitter etc..... Our sight, smell and touch also play a part in our perception of food. We can also describe how they look, smell and feel. These senses can alert us to spoiled or poisonous food e.g. rotten eggs smell really pungent.

Sometimes, parents offer food as a reward. e.g. if you behave well or complete your homework you may be rewarded with chocolate buttons. But if dinner isn't finished then perhaps you aren't allowed desert.

Certain foods can be associated with mood. People talk about relaxing with a cup of tea and a biscuit. Or breakfast in bed may be comforting when we are ill or tired.







Food plays a part in many stories. 'The Gingerbread Man' is a famous tale where the main character is actually food. In 'Hansel and Gretel' the cottage is made from marzipan and sweets. The porridge in 'Goldilocks and the Three Bears' plays a prominent part in the tale. Authors such as Roald Dahl have used food as a central theme. Consider his story 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory'.

Writers use food in simile, metaphor and symbolism. Example: 'she was as sweet as sugar' OR 'went through it like a hot knife through butter'. They also use the five senses (described above) to describe their characters interaction with food. A character's stomach may rumble when they pass a bakery and smell freshly baked bread.

Food can play an important part in celebrations. For instance a Birthday cake is a much anticipated treat served at Birthday parties. Chocolate eggs are a popular gift at Easter. Christmas pudding is traditionally served at Christmas. Pumpkins are used at Halloween.

When thinking of story ideas think about the unusual. What if the Birthday cake had a hidden surprise within it? Or instead of receiving a chocolate egg your received a golden egg. Pose the 'what if' question e.g. what if no one remembered to get you a Birthday cake? What if in other worlds people celebrate by eating worms? What if your carved pumpkin came to life?

Or perhaps you have a real life story to tell - maybe a baking disaster. Or maybe you've tried to eat unusual or disgusting foods.

'Shrove Tuesday' has become so synonymous with pancakes that it is often referred to as 'Pancake Day'. It has become a celebration that involves cooking, flipping and eating pancakes. Perhaps you have a Pancake day tale to write about.

Your writing may be about a person who works in a food related occupation such as: a chef, waitress, chocolate maker, baker, school dinner lady, butcher, green grocer, dietitian. Or your story may be set in a place associated with food such as: a cafe, school dinner hall, restaurant, burger bar, at dinner table at home.

Food can also be associated with certain activities. Examples: eating popcorn at the cinema; ice cream at the beach; bonfire toffee on Fireworks nights; hotdogs at the fairground or sports arena.
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Regional and Cultural foods: There are food associated with countries and regions. For example: Cornwall is famous for pasties; Curry comes from India; the UK is known for its fish and chips; in France they eat frog's legs.
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Food in History: There are stories to be found throughout history where food has played a memorable part. For example: World War 2 food rationing; medieval banquets in Tudor times; potato famine in Ireland; the West's discovery of spices; Slavery on sugar plantations.
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There is lots of writing that can be done using 'Food' as a theme. We look forward to reading your 'Food' inspired writing. Please email your writing to bodminbookworm@aol.com .


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