Today, April 15, is National Titanic Remembrance Day. As you struggle to make sure you’ve filed your taxes by the deadline or face other requirements today, take a moment to remember the unsinkable ship that sank on its maiden voyage across the Atlantic.
Remembering the Titanic is also a useful tool for authors. As writers, when we try to evoke a culture, a time, or a place, we often use a dinner party or a celebratory feast or a cozy meal. Nothing helps a reader experience your story more than a meal, which includes an array of sensory options. From taste to smell, and sound and texture, and of course what the food looks like–all the senses are engaged in a repast described on the page.
If you are writing Titanic era stories, you can research and engage in “remembrance” the easy way and watch some episodes on Tasting History! https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIkaZtzr9JDlFDMpTL3Xyjbuj9I2yvZeI Max Miller will take you through the dining experience for each class of passenger, including the crew, and what fun!
If you are writing in different eras, look for sources where you might find valuable information for the meals in your story. Let the Titanic remind you that there was a rich tapestry of living in the past that left traces and memories and details behind that you can incorporate into your own stories.