Guest post: Creating food systems in a fantasy world by Rae Z Ryans

Book Marketing Services GiveawayToday’s guest blog post is brought to you by fantasy novelist Rae Z Ryans, courtesy of Book Marketing Services. See below for giveaway opportunity.

Creating food systems in a fantasy world.

Alfheim is one of Nine Realms, but until Sir Thomas arrived, humans hadn’t stepped foot onto the world. This made it a bit difficult to weave in foods, plants, and other items we were familiar with, but with a love for food, I came up with some interesting creations beyond bread and water.

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There’s no right or wrong way to create food in fantasy. Any writer can blend multiple worlds, create from scratch, or root into the world we know. Food, plant life, and animals can add another layer of depth to fantasy. Characters need to eat and sustain their lives.

Of course, I didn’t fill the book with tasty fare, and it shouldn’t take the place of an actual plot. Overall, there’s no need to cover every meal. However, food and foliage creates the world and centers the reader. It gives us pause to delve into the world and build character. After a long battle, one might need to slow pace and unwind. These opportunities are often overlooked as the curtain falls, breaking the scene.

Here’s an example:

I made a fire and went to sleep, hoping tomorrow brought a new adventure.

By weaving in food and the act of preparing and creating food, we paint a brighter picture of the world and the character. Read this example for comparison:

I stacked wood upon the fire, making sure enough logs and kindling were nearby. The night promised plenty of icy wind, and my weary bones required extra warmth. Snow remained abundant, and I gathered a heap into my traveler’s pot. As it boiled over the fire, I retrieved some dried elkson and pungent herbs from my rations pouch.

The chewy meat tenderized, and the scent of stew wafted from the pot. Tomorrow I’d hunt and replenish my stores.  I glanced to the tree line and said a silent prayer. The winter months proved the hardest for men like me. Freedom came with a hefty price, and I’d paid my fair share over the years. I bundled in my blankets and sipped the thin, brackish broth. Almost perfect, almost as good as momma’s hearty stew. My eyes closed, and I allowed her memory to warm me. With each sip, I saw her smiling face or felt the embrace of her warm arms until they lulled me to sleep.

The man still builds his fire and sleeps. But can you see, taste, and feel the sensory and development of the character in a clear light?

Please place on your imaginary hats and envision my Thomas and Mori as if they sat down for a hot, spiced cup of bumble mead. Sadly, when they arrive in Longawagon, they were low on funds and forced to eat bread. Here’s a recipe that’ll come in later in the series.

Longawagon Mulled Bumble Mead (Non-alcoholic)

Serves 25 (per 4 ounce serving)

  • 2 quarts of bumble-crisp appled cider (honey-crisp apple cider)
  • 6 cups boggleberry juice (cranberry juice)
  • ¼ cup packed muddied sugar (brown sugar)
  • 4 slivers of spiced bark (cinnamon sticks)
  • 1 ½ teaspoons whole pricklers (whole cloves)
  • 1 sour fruit, thinly sliced (lemon)

Directions:

  1. Combine all ingredients in a hefty vessel and simmer for a ¼ mark.
  2. Remove floaters and serve warm.

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That was great. Thank you, Rae.

Rae-Z-RyansRae Z. Ryans currently resides in Tumbleweed, Alabama, with her four demons (cats), three lycans (dogs), three sprites (kiddos), and her “normal” mood-shifting husband. Born in Alaska and raised in New Jersey, Rae now calls the south her home. Oh, and contrary to popular belief, Rae never lived in an igloo.

She claims to own a pink elephant that buy shoes and books. While there is plenty of proof that Rae loves both, no one can prove the existence of Punky the elephant. She would point out that we can’t disprove it either.

All kidding aside, Rae is an alternate ego who enjoys writing urban and historical fantasy/paranormal in her spare time. With a deep love for mythology and history, she blends the two together, and creates new worlds, heroic obstacles, and weaves dark tales. These works are often loosely inspired by Norse Mythology, but with plenty of unique twists.

She is currently working on a secret (shh) new steampunk series and continuing to write the Nine Realms series: Alfheim and Midgard. You can find her via http://www.raezryans.com and http://www.facebook.com/raezryans (other links below).

About Chivalry and Malevolence: 

c&m-ebook-72-1000Blanked in white snow, Alfheim is off-limits to mankind. The elves and fae of the Unseelie court ruled over their lands, inciting chaos for the sake of power. The young Princess Morgana, forced to wear protective layers over her face, disagreed with the ways of her people. She craved love, but love is not the Unseelie way.

The Knight and his horse traveled toward home after two years on the battlefield. Within moments, the world transformed before his eyes as green gave way to white. He blinked as Achilles stirred. Strange creatures wielding swords and axes surrounded and captured him. They tossed him into a dank prison where he awaited his death.

With no hope of survival or escape, he prayed for the shrouded woman, who showed him kindness and healed his wounds.

Social Links:

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Where to Purchase:

Rafflecopter Giveaway (click here):

  • First Prize: $20 Amazon Gift Card
  • Second Prize: Rae Z. Ryans’ Bookmark

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9 thoughts on “Guest post: Creating food systems in a fantasy world by Rae Z Ryans”

  1. Della Bercovitch says:
    Reply

    Hello Morgen,

    On behalf of Rae Z. Ryans and Book Marketing Services, I would like to thank you for hosting Rae today on MorgEn Bailey’s Writing Blog. She is honoured to be here today. If anyone has any questions and/or comments they would like to share with Rae, please leave them in the comment box. She will be by later in the day to respond.

    Rae is the winner of Book Marketing Services’ giveaway and she is having a giveaway of her own on her tour. Remember to enter for an opportunity to win. 1st prize: $20 Amazon Gift Card; 2nd prize: A “Rae Z. Ryans” Bookmark.

    Please join Rae tomorrow, Wednesday, December 4th, when she will be Strand’s Simply Tips guest and will discuss “What Makes a Good Dragon” http://strandssimplytips.blogspot.ca/.

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  2. Pingback: Building a fantasy world (link) | Joy V. Smith
  3. Yvonne Hertzberger says:
    Reply

    Including references to food and drink adds colour, taste and authenticity to the worlds we create in our writing. I, too, add those, especially teas such as sage, white pine needle and raspberry leaf, in my fantasy world. I never included a recipe, though. This on looks good.

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    • Rae Ryans says:
      Reply

      Yvonne,
      I agree and when we craft fantasy we need to root our readers with what they know. Food is but one aspect, but it covers such lovely senses. I never thought about using herbs and that’s a splendid idea. Although I’ve not heard of white pine needle tea before and just looked that one up. I hadn’t realized the Native American’s used (possibly still do) as a healing tea.

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      • Yvonne Hertzberger says:

        Yes, I made white pine needle tea the favourite of my protagonist in the last two books of my trilogy. I’m told it is full of vitamin C and so wonderful in winter hen fruit is scarce. It was used to fend off scurvy. That’s the part of research I love.

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  4. Pingback: Literary Diva Presents: Author Rae Z Ryans! | Rae Z Ryans
  5. Rae Z. Ryans says:
    Reply

    My reply button disappeared 😦
    I love research and learning new pieces of history. When it became time to declare a major, I almost chose to study ancient history over English. If I ever find time to go back to school, I’d take history courses and relish in the learning of the past.

    For the next installment (Contention and Mayhem), I had a fun time with food from the crusades, but also had to learn how they kept the men supplied. Soldiers kept to the coast lines and ships filled with provisions followed them. The men were never more than a day or two away, but imagine how easy it could have been to destroy an army simply by taking out those ships.

    What genre do you write, if you don’t mind me asking?

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    • Yvonne Hertzberger says:
      Reply

      Hi Rae: I write what is best termed ‘magical realism’ or fantasy. Fantasy because it isn’t in a ‘real socieyy’. Magical realism because of the low level paranormal that could almost be real and in some societies would be. Early medieval period. Take a look at my site to read some sneak peeks. http://newfantasyauthor.com Thanks for asking. 🙂

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