Dear reader,
After years of dreaming, I have decided to seriously pursue writing my first novel. While planning my novel, I started considering the processes world building. When building a world, even in a fictional context, the first question that arose was: how does civilization in this world start? The second and third questions were, how does this civilization evolve and expand?
These are massive questions, however they can be led back to a common root: food.
It has been commonly understood by historians that a surplus of food is crucial to the development of civilizations. Having a guaranteed supply of food boosted population growth, expanded labor specialties, and allowed for the development of complex social structures.
I wanted to take inspiration and enlightenment from our real-world food history. This led me to begin extensive research about the world’s relationship with food and the environment. It amazed me how humans across continents learned to master agriculture, resulting in the world’s earliest civilizations. We have also built cultural and social relationships with our food, whether it be through myths or confirmed historical events.
Additionally, the creation of food systems eventually contributed to both the creation and collapse of empires. It has historically been, and remains a critical factor in understanding societal strife on both local and global levels.
I am excited to share this journey, and the incredible historical lore I have already learned, and have yet to learn. I believe knowledge, especially the history of our world, is something to be shared.
In this blog, I look forward to sharing food related history articles, novel updates, and more!
K.L Quan
K.L. Quan 