Sugar

Recently I had someone (who hadn't read the book) tell me that having a sugar-fixated dragon in my book was irresponsible. "In this day of over-indulgence and diabetes, you shouldn't be promoting sugar intake."

Good point, if the book was taking place now. However, the plot unfolds during World War II in England, when sugar was rationed down to a few ounces a month and everybody craved it. Within the plot, it becomes obvious to anyone with a brain that sugar addiction is not good, that it distracts the dragon and without preaching, I make every attempt to portray this need for sugar as a not-so-good thing, within reason.

One of the author's goals with Thaddeus Osbert, the dragon, is to develop a method of delivering a positive code of conduct. I don't want to shove the message down anyone's throat, but I do have a responsibility to present accurate history, blended with life's lessons. For those of you who have read Secret of the Dragon's Eye, you know that Sir Osbert is a loving and caring dragon, who abhores war and violence, but is still a dragon. He can be pretty terrible when he gets angry, but makes every attempt to shield his charges from the dark side of human existence, while still making sure they understand how nasty war can be.

Yes, there is the comedy element of the dragon's ongoing search for sugar, but it is hardly central to the plot or to the other characters. However, having said that, in my research, one of the food items most talked about by British citizens who lived during rationing, was sugar. It did play a role in morale, just like their tea. Understanding an era can reflect on how and why were are what were are today. These lessons don't get taught in school.

It gets back to the old adage about crticizing something you haven't read or seen or experienced. Everybody's entitled to their opinion, of course, but it has more impact if the person knows what they're talking about. Believe me, I'm perfectly aware of how my books might impact an adolescent, but parents are also responsible for what their children believe.

Off my soapbox now. Next time, I'm going to talk about North Cornwall, England!


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