Danny January: Blog

I thought it would be helpful to provide links to a few locations mentioned in feasting. Some have mentioned Lowcountry cooking in their emails so I'm including a link to Charleston Receipts - a local cookbook and something of the standard. I honestly don't know anyone who doesn't have this book.

Charleston Aerial view. If you zoom in a bit, you'll see Porter- Gaud and Wappoo Cut near the center. There's a marker for "The Battery" on the tip of Charleston Peninsula. That's where White Point Garden is. You can also see markers for Alhambra Hall and Fort Sumter. The stables and Mink's are outside this frame.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Alhambra+Hall/@32.7853157,-79.9938989,13813m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0xf1cdb66c544a0b5e!8m2!3d32.7796778!4d-79.8701639

White Point Garden

https://www.google.com/maps/@32.7697295,-79.9301515,3a,75y,352.54h,101.09t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sh75AXj_q9lL7ITr36q748g!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Wappoo Cut - I still spend a lot of time there

https://www.google.com/maps/@32.7672991,-79.9732768,3a,75y,113.98h,75.35t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sZ2KO6h3umqymXm2D97tg0Q!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

Folly Beach

https://www.google.com/maps/@32.6703015,-79.9068513,3a,75y,108.3h,83.46t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sOPS7BFN9gXt2i8mB7Wn1mQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

Charleston Receipts
https://www.amazon.com/Charleston-Receipts-Collected-Junior-League/dp/B000LVZVIE/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1UGQEO0H758OD&keywords=charleston+receipts+cookbook&qid=1650288819&sprefix=Charleston+re%2Caps%2C154&sr=8-2

After nearly 6 months of work, I finally posted my longest story yet.

Feasting With a Silver Spoon was published last night. You all were great providing feedback when I ask for it soooo.....

Let me know what you think of the story, and if you see any issues especially continuity or other problems. I hope you enjoy it. It was definitely a trip down memory lane for me.

I'm about to publish a fairly long story (over 400,000 words) and there are quite a few characters. Some authors include a cast of characters at the beginning of the story. Should I? Do you ever refer back to that or do you just read the story and get to know the characters as the story progresses? I'd like your input.

I got a lot of input in short order. Thanks to all.
I'm going to publish without a cast of characters. Here's why not.

I'll publish the complete story - several folks mentioned that it's tough if the story takes weeks or even years to be complete. This wont.

There isn't a cast of thousands. Most of the characters show up multiple times and it's rare for a character to be out of the story for more than a chapter or two.

Context for the characters is pretty consistent.

Most people said they would prefer to meet the characters as the story unfolds.

Thanks for all the input - very helpful.

I've had some great feedback and welcome it. I've passed along much of it to my friends and they found it interesting and sometimes rewarding. One of the lessons I didn't hit as hard as I should have is the impact of both Tina and her mom on Fallon. Fallon struggled mightily with insecurity and Tina worked to build her self confidence. Other kids can be hurtful but they weren't hurtful more than once with Tina around. Word got out that if you talked trash about Fallon's foster and then adoption status you were going to hear it from Tina. Kids can be cruel but they can be helpful too. Tina was and still is an amazing individual and Tina owes her more than this story conveyed. If I ever re-work it, I'll put a lot of energy into capturing that.

If you have any feedback for my characters, feel free to send me an email. I'll pass on the appropriate comments.

I hadn't been to SOL in a while and when I did, I noticed the little banner at the top - Golden Cliterides time of year. Lots of voting and sometimes a good story is recognized. Imagine my surprise to see Beach House nominated in a couple of different categories. I thought it was amusing. Not half as amusing as my friend. When I told him(Michael in the story) about it he laughed. I think the main reason he laughed was because of the title - Clitoride. I seriously doubt he will tell his sweetheart. I'm also pretty sure I'm not supposed to mention it either. However, I think Lulu would want to know. She'd undoubtedly get a kick out of it. The problem is, if one of them knows, all of them knows. Ah well. At least I got to give Michael and unexpected chuckle.