Bringing Food to Life by Belinda Y. Hughes

Writing prompts can get you into some interesting situations. Back when I was in the Writing Bridge, we once had a prompt to convince readers that we were a fruit or vegetable. For some unknown reason, I chose to become a pineapple.

Giving things human characteristics is a technique called anthropomorphization, or more simply, personification. It’s been done for decades in advertising and entertainment media. Animals, plants and objects take on human-like thoughts, feelings and reactions -  walk, talk, sing, dance, move other things around, play games, go on adventures and experience the ups and downs of real life. You can also project a celebrity personality onto them, which is what I did, to spice things up a little.

My pineapple starts off as a bored guest at a Hawaiian-themed pool party, jealous of all the other vegetables. Without warning, she transforms into the sultry Eartha Kitt, a visibly dangerous woman convincing her all-too-human prey that she’s actually soft and touchable underneath. When the human finally gives her the attention she craves, my cacti citrus fruit strikes back.

Apparently, it was a convincing performance. “Undercover Eartha” was voted that month’s poetry prompt winner. Recently, I used it again, in a Google+ Dream community, in response to a thread involving dried pineapple aliens. Another member dubbed the poem their national anthem.

So in honor of these few warm days between freezes, as well as friends booking tropical vacations, I’m issuing a poetry challenge to anyone who wants to enter. In the comments below, make me and Marie believe you’re the personality-plus fruit or vegetable of your choice. The winner will be featured in a post on my food blog, Café Belinda.

Poetry Challenge Rules

·         Challenge dates: February 21st-22nd

·         One winner will be announced in my author interview here at Marie’s on February 24, 2014.

·         Enter your poem as a comment below.

·         32 lines or less

·         Poetic form of your choice

·         Sexy is okay. No profanity.

·         Judges: Marie Lavender and Belinda Y. Hughes

·         Topic: Make us believe you’re a fruit or vegetable.

Okay, go! Personify your garden and produce drawers. Zucchini Zane? Star Trek Strawberries? Whovian Blueberries?  We can’t wait to see what you come up with!  :)

Guest Blogger Bio

  

Belinda Y. Hughes is the author of Confessions of a Red Hot Veggie Lover 2, exclusively on Amazon. Cafe Belinda, her food blog, offers dairy free, gluten free, sugar free, Kosher, vegan and vegetarian recipes, reviews and giveaways. A longtime published poet and publicist, her works have been published in the Odessa Review, Long Story Short, Amaze: the Cinquain Journal, (Lake Charles) American Press, (MSU) Contraband, Jambalaya News (now the Louisiana Jam), New Day Publications and others. She recently completed her first sci-fi flash fiction and micro poetry collection. In 2014, she hopes to nurture her lifelong fascination with Asian culture.

Social Links: 

Blog: http://cafebelinda.blogspot.com

Facebook: Confessions: https://www.facebook.com/ConfessionsofaRedHotVeggieLover

Facebook: Personal/Writing: facebook.com/belinda.hughes.1656

LinkedIN: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/belinda-hughes/17/a72/751/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/fleurdeb

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Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/belindayhughes/

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Sverve: http://www.sverve.com/profile/Belinda-Hughes-MTA2Njk= 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/15889523-belinda-hughes

Books:

Living Proof

by Belinda Yvonne Hughes