I’ve been seriously thinking about how much my own tastes influence my fiction. The other day, my characters were in a restaurant and I purposely made them order something I, personally, wouldn’t eat.
It occurred to me that maybe I’m thinking about this too much – micromanaging my story. But the fact is, they’ve gotta eat. And I find it boring and not really credible that they’d like ALL the same things I do. If for no other reason than every character in every story I ever write always eats the same group of foods, I feel like I have to change it up once in a while.
Is this something you’ve put any thought to? If you’re a vegetarian, do you ever have your characters eating a nice juicy steak?
How else do your characters not reflect your tastes? (Human characters, that is.)
lindaghill.com 
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November 24, 2013 at 6:42 am
Considering, characters as in prose I have one world involved with Vampire Bears and Bats and teddies of different sorts it is hard to say……….. My other set of stories involves a fallen angel from the first war in heaven, so I do not think I have anything in common with any of them……………. but then again!!?? 🙂
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November 24, 2013 at 10:41 am
It’s much different for fantasy type characters where eating is concerned. But there’s more than just food preferences to consider. It also depend what the fantasy characters are, obviously.
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November 24, 2013 at 12:14 pm
😉
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November 22, 2013 at 10:33 am
My character has an issue with never having anything in his fridge (except beer, and I don’t drink beer). He eats out a lot. Occasionally, his secretary will leave him a casserole in the fridge. Although I cook almost every night, my character reflects the lazy side of me that I don’t often get to expose in real life.
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November 22, 2013 at 10:51 am
Yes! That’s perfect. I love it!
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November 22, 2013 at 2:49 am
I would like my character to promote healthy eating habit but still adventurous in eating too. Food is art and thus it should be enjoyed with zest and I want my character to be like that. Does that make sense?
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November 22, 2013 at 6:51 am
It does! It also sounds like food would be a part of the story. 🙂
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November 21, 2013 at 7:24 pm
I like all those little moments. Like using the toilet. Aaaanyway, no fridges. He has fields full of vegetables and grains. Goats. Yum. Goat. Way to get away from what you’re used to!
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November 21, 2013 at 7:33 pm
You mean you don’t eat goat, Paul? haha
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November 22, 2013 at 12:23 am
Tastes like beef….
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November 22, 2013 at 6:47 am
Um…. eww….
hehe
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November 21, 2013 at 6:24 pm
As a 25 year veteran of the culinary theatre,I’ve learned,food tells a lot about a person.. Ever watch people grocery shop?
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November 21, 2013 at 6:28 pm
Not closely, no. But I can imagine it would be an excellent exercise. 🙂 Thanks for the suggestion.
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November 21, 2013 at 6:32 pm
Especially if they have kids.. Behavior vs food.. It would certainly add to a character’s dimension. Thanks for the quandary,pretty cool idea!
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November 21, 2013 at 6:44 pm
You’ve given me some ‘food’ for thought as well. I think my main character might be due for a trip to the grocery store! 🙂
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November 21, 2013 at 6:48 pm
Hahaha!=>
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November 21, 2013 at 5:11 pm
I’m a foodie. My characters eat whatever I tell them to, and they LIKE it. LOL
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November 21, 2013 at 5:54 pm
Haha! That’s tellin’ ’em!
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November 21, 2013 at 3:41 pm
Pasta bake 😉
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November 21, 2013 at 4:37 pm
What time’s dinner? 🙂
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November 22, 2013 at 3:56 am
haha: 8pm 😉
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November 21, 2013 at 3:20 pm
My main character likes the same things I like. He drinks gin on the rocks, a cold Corona, or a Margareta. He eats a pretty normal diet and doesn’t really over do it. He does like nice clothes and appreciates nicer things in life.
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November 21, 2013 at 4:37 pm
So…. it’s an autobiography then?
🙂
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November 21, 2013 at 9:23 pm
Not even close. We just eat and drink the same.
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November 21, 2013 at 9:24 pm
Interesting.
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November 21, 2013 at 2:36 pm
I think the menu has to reflect the character’s probable taste. I’d never have a dock worker order a quiche or a British dame hanker for a double burger. My favorite dishes might not fit my favorite character, so I’d have to figure out what he or she would be inclined to order. You can have fun with it.
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November 21, 2013 at 4:34 pm
That’s true, food and status do very much go together. Good point, thank you 🙂
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November 21, 2013 at 2:34 pm
Good points, Linda. I think, even if you don’t write it down, you should know their everyday habits, food included. And (I can’t resist) as long as they don’t eat their words. 😛
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November 21, 2013 at 4:33 pm
Ha ha ha.
But you’re perfectly right. It’s all important, even if it never makes it into the book. 🙂
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November 21, 2013 at 2:31 pm
I think you would compare their eating habits with any real person: junk food = slob, lazy, or cheap; or rich foods = healthy, plentiful. I would not think a character’s specific diet (i.e. vegetarianism) would much alter a story, or be needed for your characters’ ideals/values.
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November 21, 2013 at 2:35 pm
I suppose not. I’ve never written anyone who worked in the food industry either, but that might make a big difference.
Interesting answer, thanks 🙂
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November 21, 2013 at 2:36 pm
Anytime ! 🙂
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