National Doughnut Day

National Doughnut Day--June 2nd. Whether you're partial to the cream-filled, glazed, jelly or chocolate varieties, the doughnut is something near and dear to so many of us. While there are several stories (or call them myths) about how the doughnut (or donut) came about, the Salvation Army established National Doughnut Day in 1938 to raise funds during the Great Depression and honor the women volunteers, who supported the soldiers on the front lines during World War I by serving them delicious meals, and of course, doughnuts. Approximately 250 "lassies" provided assistance to American soldiers in France in 1917.

Today, women's role has expanded beyond ones more traditionally related to the hearth, such as providing food, to more active military roles. But the tradition of National Donut Day continues with many national chains and smaller shops are offering free doughnuts to celebrate.

Doughnuts have a disputed history. One theory suggests they were invented in North America by Dutch settlers. According to anthropologist Paul R. Mullins, the first cookbook mentioning doughnuts was an 1803 English volume which included doughnuts in an appendix of American recipes. By the mid-19th century, the doughnut looked and tasted like today’s doughnut,
and was viewed as a thoroughly American food.

The story I like the most is not about the donut, but the donut hole. A sailor supposedly pushed one of the treats onto a ship's wheel. It eliminated the raw center and temporarily freed his hands. Now you know why I said, myths.

While donuts may be most commonly associated with police stories (and more than one author has had their character stop for a midnight jolt of sugar), that is not the only way an author could incorporate an event such as National Doughnut Day. If writing a historical, the character could be one of the lassies. Or for later years, the descendant of one or find a letter written by one where they talk about a doughboy (yes I couldn't resist that) who was leaving for battle.

For myself, I'm celebrating. Instead of cereal, eggs and sausage, or a bagel, I'm reading my morning emails with a donut in hand.

More information on National Donut Day can be found at https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/national-donut-day/ .

Thanks for joining me. Until next time. ~Helen

Color Doesn't Matter #MFRWauthor

Welcome to Week 19 of the MFRW 52-week challenge. The topic is "Do Blonds Have More Fun."

My short answer is "No." One reason is that I don't give my characters blond, yellow, golden, or flaxen-colored hair. I found that it was too difficult to find an appropriate model with blond hair. Stock photo sites have more brunettes or models with dark-color hair which means I have more choices. The closest I came was Ellspeth of the Windmaster Novels (lower left). Her light-colored hair isn't a true blond. It actually was silver because the price of using her magic is for her hair to turn gray.

A review of my character worksheets showed that I broke my own guidelines. Subcommander Pelra of the House of Pirri (upper right) is listed as having blond hair. The rest of her physical description is slender build and strong hands from driving a wagon.

Now as to the "fun" part of the topic. If being refused the rank you've earned by leadership and bringing profit to the house is your idea of fun, then the answer is "yes." Pelra was relegated to a backwater assignment, eventually stripped of her rank, and disowned by her own house. In her case, I would say blonds definitely don't have more fun.

Even if they are not kick-ass warriors, the ladies in my books need to be able to hold their own with with sword or bow or spell. They are strong enough to lead men and to walk beside their mate, not behind him.

More on the ladies of the Dragshi, the Windmaster Novels, and Maerva of Imprisoned in Stone can be found by clicking on the covers in the banner.


~till next time, Helen

XPost - Oops, Just Killed A Friend

I hadn't thought of what we do to our characters in the manner that Alon Shalev (@Elfwriter) did in his post. Usually I kill the bad guy and only torture the hero. However, Elveswriter explains why we mourne for our characters. Even if they live in the book, at the end we close the chapter and our relationship ends.

If you've ever killed a character (or contemplated it), read on. ~till next time Helen

ElvesWriter

Wow! Killing a friend ain’t easy. You think you’re ready for it. You have planned the dramatic demise, executed to perfection, but when it gets right down to it, it is soooo hard.
 
And when they are lying there dead, with an arrow though their heart, or an axe wound in their head, you think you can just walk away. But what do you still have to do?
 
Press the Save button.

Do you get the irony? Your friend lies dead on the page, their blood still wet, and you are totally responsible for it. Sure you didn’t wield the axe, or aim the bow, but you created this person, this character, this hero.
 
He trusted you, allowed you to move him from one part of the kingdom to the other. He has seen you put him in a tight jam and always…

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