Every January, loads of people try Veganuary—eating only plant-based food for a whole month. At first, I didn’t think it had anything to do with being a writer. But the more I thought about it, the more I realised that writing a book and trying Veganuary are actually pretty similar. Both can feel impossible at first, both take a bit of practice, and both can surprise you in ways you never expected!
Starting is the Hardest Part
Staring at a blank page is scary. So is trying to figure out what to eat when you can’t have your usual cheese toastie. But once you take that first step—writing a sentence or trying a new meal—it suddenly feels a lot easier. You just have to start.
Research, Research, Research
When I write stories, I spend ages looking things up—whether it’s weird legends, magical creatures, or how to survive in a swamp (you never know when that might come in handy!) Veganuary is the same. I had to look up plant-based recipes, find out what foods had hidden milk in them (seriously, why is there milk powder in crisps?), and discover cool new things to eat. Turns out, research isn’t just useful for books!
Some Experiments Fail… and That’s Okay
Not every idea in a story works—sometimes I write a plot twist that makes no sense or a character who’s just… boring. The same thing happens with food. Some plant-based meals have been amazing (hello, oat milk hot chocolate!), but others? Let’s just say I will never be making that chickpea pancake again. But that’s all part of the fun—figuring out what works and what definitely doesn’t.
You Have to Stick With It
Writing a book doesn’t happen overnight. Neither does getting used to a new way of eating. The first few days of Veganuary were weird—I kept forgetting and almost eating the wrong things. But after a while, it got easier. Just like writing, the more you do it, the more natural it feels.
Food = Story Inspiration
Books are full of food. Think about Turkish delight in Narnia, butterbeer in Harry Potter, or lembas bread in Lord of the Rings. Now that I’ve tried more plant-based meals, I’ve started wondering what my characters would eat. Would a hero in a fantasy world snack on roasted nuts and berry-filled pastries? Would a villain sip some kind of spooky green soup? Food makes stories feel real, and now I pay way more attention to it in my writing.
It’s Not Just About Food
I thought Veganuary would just be about eating differently, but it actually made me feel more energetic and creative. It’s like when you finally finish writing a story—it’s not just about getting the words down, it’s about the feeling you get when it all comes together. Turns out, small changes can make a big difference.
Final Thoughts
Veganuary and writing both take patience and practice, but they also come with some awesome surprises. So whether you’re trying out a new story idea or a new meal, just go for it—you never know what you’ll discover!
All food for thought. Have fun, readers!
Love
Yonnie x
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