Tuesday, November 21, 2017

More Than Just Eating

Not sure what it says about me, but when I finished writing Some Form of Grace, I noticed there was a lot of eating going on in the story. My first inclination was to attribute the high incidence of eating incidents to my unfortunate passion for food. But then I recalled some information I’d read several years ago in How to Read Literature Like a Professor. In that book, author and English professor Thomas C. Foster explains that whenever you run across characters in a story sharing a meal, more often than not there is more than just eating going on. He claims, “Whenever people eat or drink together, it’s communion." And, indeed, much communion does take place over the course of my story.

Admittedly, I didn’t have this notion all plotted and outlined as I developed the eating scenes in my novel. But as I look back on it, I realize I’d happily stumbled onto this important principle. Two of my characters who are at odds with each other begin to bridge their differences only when they sit down  together for a snack (yellow cake with buttercream frosting). After that, many of their self-revelations take place while consuming food in some form or another, and as a result, their understanding and acceptance of each other continue to grow. 

The point of this post is twofold. First, it serves as an intro to a new page on my blog. In the Author’s Note in Some Form of Grace, I promised to post recipes from Flo’s Restaurant from time to time. It is only fitting that the first recipe is for bread pudding, as the yummy dessert provides an opportunity for further bonding between the protagonist Gracene and her foil. Second, this post comes on the brink of the holiday season, a time that heavily focuses on food and eating and fellowship. This Thanksgiving, whether you participate in a family gathering or join with friends or take part in a public or church-sponsored meal, remember to do this: Give thanks not only for the food but also for the people around you—for those with whom you can clasp hands and say, “I’m with you…we form a community together.”

May You and Your Community Have a Blessed Thanksgiving!


NOTE: If you want to know how bread pudding brings two people together, you’ll have to read the book. But if you want an easy recipe for one of my personal favorite desserts, you have only to click here.


Mark and Kathy Sewell, dedicated sponsors and volunteers
at Exodus House celebrate at annual Thanksgiving Dinner
hosted by Wesley United Methodist Church.
Residents, administrators, and sponsors came
together to celebrate God's gifts of redemption and
community.

Benny looks very pleased with the
Christmas decoration he got to pick out.

Kim's apartment will definitely be decked out
in style!

Jay claims these are for his kids.
Yeah, right...