Megan Wong's Blog, page 10
August 14, 2018
Somnambulism - Sleepwalking and Somniloquy - Sleeptalking
How I wish I was getting more sleep. Ah well, my schedule will even out soon enough and I'll get to at least 7 hours again.
I'm not much of a sleepwalker, although I've strolled about the house during the night. It has been a long while; I'm not a wanderer in the residence halls, but they're also a lot smaller in comparison. (And the bed is higher off the ground). However, I've known some sleepwalkers and it's pretty amazing how well they move about while asleep. Apparently it can occur during Stage 3 or 4, for different reasons, although more children than adults are sleepwalkers.
Walking up and down the stairs, in and out of rooms, making food or some other motor action, a lot can go on when we're not conscious. It is the unconscious part that makes a sleepwalker unaware of their actions. In most cases, they don't remember anything that they did at all.
I've never included it in a story before, but it's an interesting idea. Depending on the world, the person could be seen as possessed or maybe (like dolphins) half of their brain is active at a time so that they're never fully asleep - as if they're some type of new human. That's the fun part about writing and writers, anything can be changed or imagined differently. The rules and laws of this world are subject to whatever inclination comes our way and it's much more fun too.
I'm a sleeptalker, although I'm not chatty during the night. There are times when I apparently just say things aloud. Unfortunately, I have no clue what I'm dreaming at the time or what it means. I'm just a sentence-gal, not a whole conversation. That's another interesting part about sleepers - they can still be coherent, even if it doesn't make sense.
"Let me linger in my dreams, for it's only there that I can fly and never fear to fall."
I'm not much of a sleepwalker, although I've strolled about the house during the night. It has been a long while; I'm not a wanderer in the residence halls, but they're also a lot smaller in comparison. (And the bed is higher off the ground). However, I've known some sleepwalkers and it's pretty amazing how well they move about while asleep. Apparently it can occur during Stage 3 or 4, for different reasons, although more children than adults are sleepwalkers.
Walking up and down the stairs, in and out of rooms, making food or some other motor action, a lot can go on when we're not conscious. It is the unconscious part that makes a sleepwalker unaware of their actions. In most cases, they don't remember anything that they did at all.
I've never included it in a story before, but it's an interesting idea. Depending on the world, the person could be seen as possessed or maybe (like dolphins) half of their brain is active at a time so that they're never fully asleep - as if they're some type of new human. That's the fun part about writing and writers, anything can be changed or imagined differently. The rules and laws of this world are subject to whatever inclination comes our way and it's much more fun too.
I'm a sleeptalker, although I'm not chatty during the night. There are times when I apparently just say things aloud. Unfortunately, I have no clue what I'm dreaming at the time or what it means. I'm just a sentence-gal, not a whole conversation. That's another interesting part about sleepers - they can still be coherent, even if it doesn't make sense.
"Let me linger in my dreams, for it's only there that I can fly and never fear to fall."
August 7, 2018
A Detailed Discourse on the Divisions in Books
In Other Words, Chapter Titles and Why They can be as Plain as Porridge or as Detailed as a Dictionary
Chapter titles are interesting, if an author chooses to use them. They can be hints at what is to come or fun jumbles of words with some metaphorical association.
For Island Whispers, there are chapters and subchapters. All of the main chapters are dates (eg. June 1). Then, the subchapters are the names of the character who the story is following at the time (Angelica, Grant, Adam, or Monica).
Likewise, Trevor D'Silva uses numbers (Chapter 1) with subheading dates (January 03, 1946). Find out more about his book on http://trevordsilva.com/
I've never really written a chapter that has a name, but J.K. Rowling had chapter titles that focused on the key point of the chapter. The first chapter in the Sorcerer's Stone is "The Boy Who Lived", focused on the main point of the first chapter - the introduction of Harry Potter, 'the boy who lived'.
So you see, chapter titles vary and they can be quite entertaining. They also present pauses for readers, so that they can take a break (if they want to, some people get hooked and won't let it go until the end).
There are also chapter titles with bits of older prose or poetry. In the forefront of my mind, Cassandra Clare fits this description. I really enjoyed Chapter 6 of Clockwork Angel (first book in the Infernal Devices series) which has an excerpt from a poem by Christina Rossetti. The chapter actually has a name, "Strange Earth", and then it has the slip of poem beneath: "We must not look at goblin men/ We must not buy their fruits:/ Who knows upon what soil they fed/ Their hungry thirsty roots?" It's from "Goblin Market" and you should really read the whole thing, it is quite entertaining, albeit dark.
Some books will be separated into parts or books. The Forty Rules of Love has something like this "Part One: Earth, the things that are solid, absorbed, and still." Then, the book has five other parts, I think, ending with the Void.
The Girl With No Shadow by Joanne Harris begins with "Part 1: Death". In this instance, the chapter titles don't even have to be lengthy, they could be just one word that sums it up.
The key factor among all "named" chapter titles is that they have some relation to the chapter that follows them. There has to be some thematic element or descriptive word that has something to do with one part of it.
However, there are thousands of books that just number their chapters. It really depends on the book and whether the tone fits a wordy title or needs something that won't distract from the story.
Chapter titles are interesting, if an author chooses to use them. They can be hints at what is to come or fun jumbles of words with some metaphorical association.
For Island Whispers, there are chapters and subchapters. All of the main chapters are dates (eg. June 1). Then, the subchapters are the names of the character who the story is following at the time (Angelica, Grant, Adam, or Monica).
Likewise, Trevor D'Silva uses numbers (Chapter 1) with subheading dates (January 03, 1946). Find out more about his book on http://trevordsilva.com/
I've never really written a chapter that has a name, but J.K. Rowling had chapter titles that focused on the key point of the chapter. The first chapter in the Sorcerer's Stone is "The Boy Who Lived", focused on the main point of the first chapter - the introduction of Harry Potter, 'the boy who lived'.
So you see, chapter titles vary and they can be quite entertaining. They also present pauses for readers, so that they can take a break (if they want to, some people get hooked and won't let it go until the end).
There are also chapter titles with bits of older prose or poetry. In the forefront of my mind, Cassandra Clare fits this description. I really enjoyed Chapter 6 of Clockwork Angel (first book in the Infernal Devices series) which has an excerpt from a poem by Christina Rossetti. The chapter actually has a name, "Strange Earth", and then it has the slip of poem beneath: "We must not look at goblin men/ We must not buy their fruits:/ Who knows upon what soil they fed/ Their hungry thirsty roots?" It's from "Goblin Market" and you should really read the whole thing, it is quite entertaining, albeit dark.
Some books will be separated into parts or books. The Forty Rules of Love has something like this "Part One: Earth, the things that are solid, absorbed, and still." Then, the book has five other parts, I think, ending with the Void.
The Girl With No Shadow by Joanne Harris begins with "Part 1: Death". In this instance, the chapter titles don't even have to be lengthy, they could be just one word that sums it up.
The key factor among all "named" chapter titles is that they have some relation to the chapter that follows them. There has to be some thematic element or descriptive word that has something to do with one part of it.
However, there are thousands of books that just number their chapters. It really depends on the book and whether the tone fits a wordy title or needs something that won't distract from the story.
July 31, 2018
Hours Upon Hours (the sweet taste of completion)
I'm so excited! 4 days. FOUR days! Then I have my first ever book signing. I am nervous and jumping and just so grateful for this. Saturday August 4 will live on in my history and it will just be so amazing to be in Barnes and Noble as an author!
Today is also the last day of July.
July 31, which means that across the world, there are writers scrambling to finish up word counts and hours and other goals because CampNano ends when the clock strikes twelve and we enter August.
But as of yesterday, I can announce that I am a....
30 hours, that was my goal for the month. Thirty hours dedicated to writing and I did it. Even with all the travel and being in England, even though there were days that my mind was mush, it's done.
I really appreciate Nanowrimo, especially the Camp, because it acts as external motivation and it is fun. Writers from all over the world come together. My cabin this year had some people from all across the states and I think in Europe, sometimes writers like to be poetic or secretive about their locations and you end up with someone saying they're "somewhere in an urban area," (that's actually what my profile says and usually it's true).
If you were to explain your location, what would you write? Would it be something vague (on Earth in the 21st century) or something specific (trapped under a log in Arkansas, please help)? Funny or serious?
Today is also the last day of July.
July 31, which means that across the world, there are writers scrambling to finish up word counts and hours and other goals because CampNano ends when the clock strikes twelve and we enter August.
But as of yesterday, I can announce that I am a....
30 hours, that was my goal for the month. Thirty hours dedicated to writing and I did it. Even with all the travel and being in England, even though there were days that my mind was mush, it's done.
I really appreciate Nanowrimo, especially the Camp, because it acts as external motivation and it is fun. Writers from all over the world come together. My cabin this year had some people from all across the states and I think in Europe, sometimes writers like to be poetic or secretive about their locations and you end up with someone saying they're "somewhere in an urban area," (that's actually what my profile says and usually it's true).
If you were to explain your location, what would you write? Would it be something vague (on Earth in the 21st century) or something specific (trapped under a log in Arkansas, please help)? Funny or serious?
July 24, 2018
A Writing Prompt
First an update! Are you in the Charlotte area? Do you love books and would you like a signed copy of Island Whispers?
Then come to my first book signing! It is August 4 at 2pm. Further information can be found in the link below.
http://www.ingramelliott.com/news--updates/meet-megan-wong-author-of-ya-novel-island-whispers-saturday-august-4-at-2-pm-at-bn-arboretum
Now onto the post: Writing prompts are the adrenaline shots in a writer's arm. They give us inspiration. They send us hurtling through another 500 words to figure out where our imagination will take us. The prompts can be about anything. They can be any snippet. They could be a word or an image. The fun thing about writing prompts are that they are so versatile and what one person gets from it could be drastically different from what someone else gets.
A prompt for my writers, in the hopes that you find some inspiration from it:
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Herculanum; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000} span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
I used to live in a nowhere town and then the builders came, and then the people…and my nowhere became a somewhere.
And here is an image prompt:
Where could this door lead? What is behind it? Is it keeping us out or something in?
Then come to my first book signing! It is August 4 at 2pm. Further information can be found in the link below.
http://www.ingramelliott.com/news--updates/meet-megan-wong-author-of-ya-novel-island-whispers-saturday-august-4-at-2-pm-at-bn-arboretum
Now onto the post: Writing prompts are the adrenaline shots in a writer's arm. They give us inspiration. They send us hurtling through another 500 words to figure out where our imagination will take us. The prompts can be about anything. They can be any snippet. They could be a word or an image. The fun thing about writing prompts are that they are so versatile and what one person gets from it could be drastically different from what someone else gets.
A prompt for my writers, in the hopes that you find some inspiration from it:
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Herculanum; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000} span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
I used to live in a nowhere town and then the builders came, and then the people…and my nowhere became a somewhere.
And here is an image prompt:
Where could this door lead? What is behind it? Is it keeping us out or something in?July 16, 2018
Bountiful Bakes
I'm feeling like an "off-week" is good for this post, so this one is about baking and the transformation of these apples into muffins.
I like baking and I think a good number of people like it too. There is something enjoyable about mixing and kneading, shaping and waiting for it all to be done. It's transformational magic and while there are well written books, it's also fun to experiment.
A few weeks ago, I made paleo apple muffins. This means that the muffin itself mainly consists of eggs. I think there were 8 eggs in this one, but I can't recall. Either way, they were delicious and filling delicacies of the morning. You can see the transformation of the apples through the following pictures:
Apples. Green apples to be exact, although not Granny Smith, but they were sour. Apples are the perfect character food. They are easily transportable and a character can appear very smug as they chomp their incisors into a juicy pomme.
Here are the 3 apples cut into pieces. This took some time, let me tell you, but it was worth it. I also had my share of pieces, popping one or two in my mouth after I'd cut up a certain amount.
This was fun. Although it took some time. I mixed cinnamon in with the apples and moved them around in the pan until they softened. Kind of like making a filling for apple pie.
They don't look too appetizing in this photo. The mixture is very fluid-like, because of the many eggs. It kind of looks like shiny marble filling each cup.
The finished product! They puffed up a little and smelled delicious. Although, I will say they were difficult to pull from the pan. Ah well, there is price for delectable treats and we downed these within a week.What are your favorite foods to make?
(Oh I just had to mention that there is this simple recipe for PB cookies that only uses three ingredients: PB, an egg, and sugar. It is unbelievably simple and delicious.)
I like baking and I think a good number of people like it too. There is something enjoyable about mixing and kneading, shaping and waiting for it all to be done. It's transformational magic and while there are well written books, it's also fun to experiment.
A few weeks ago, I made paleo apple muffins. This means that the muffin itself mainly consists of eggs. I think there were 8 eggs in this one, but I can't recall. Either way, they were delicious and filling delicacies of the morning. You can see the transformation of the apples through the following pictures:
Apples. Green apples to be exact, although not Granny Smith, but they were sour. Apples are the perfect character food. They are easily transportable and a character can appear very smug as they chomp their incisors into a juicy pomme.
Here are the 3 apples cut into pieces. This took some time, let me tell you, but it was worth it. I also had my share of pieces, popping one or two in my mouth after I'd cut up a certain amount.
This was fun. Although it took some time. I mixed cinnamon in with the apples and moved them around in the pan until they softened. Kind of like making a filling for apple pie. 
They don't look too appetizing in this photo. The mixture is very fluid-like, because of the many eggs. It kind of looks like shiny marble filling each cup. 
The finished product! They puffed up a little and smelled delicious. Although, I will say they were difficult to pull from the pan. Ah well, there is price for delectable treats and we downed these within a week.What are your favorite foods to make?(Oh I just had to mention that there is this simple recipe for PB cookies that only uses three ingredients: PB, an egg, and sugar. It is unbelievably simple and delicious.)
July 12, 2018
Merch for Merchlings
Merchlings isn't actually a word, but it sounds cute.
Anyway, there is Island Whispers merch and you can find it here!
https://www.cafepress.com/islandwhispers.178723307
Whether you like mugs, bags, or other swag, there is a little something for everyone.
Anyway, there is Island Whispers merch and you can find it here!
https://www.cafepress.com/islandwhispers.178723307
Whether you like mugs, bags, or other swag, there is a little something for everyone.
July 9, 2018
Leaping Liducorns!
What are your favorite magical creatures? Are they from mythology or books? The Greeks had their share of monsters and certainly J.K. Rowling has many fantastic beasts.
July 2, 2018
Bubble, Boil, Braise and Broil
Ha ha ha, not exactly the rhyme but I love the alliteration. Perhaps this is how the witch in Hansel and Gretel feels about eating children. So many ways to cook them, like with Bubba's shrimp monologue in Forest Gump.
I'm in England currently which feels kind of fitting because the birth of Harry Potter took place here. Witches and wizards, Hogwarts, wands, and cats, toads and (of course) cauldrons. The Warner Brothers Studios are here and tours allow you to traverse the sets and view props among other things. If you ever get the chance, I would recommend. Now on with the post.
This wasn't actually in a movie. It's a real place. Korner's Folly, (there are supposed to be 2 dots over the "o" in Korner's, but I can't figure out how to do that, so you'll just have to imagine), and the below picture shows something that is just outside the front door.
Witches Corner. I just had to stand and look and marvel at this for a few minutes when I saw it. I love anything that hints at the supernatural and this has an interesting story behind it.
These were actually common occurrences outside homes. The idea was that a visitor would deposit a coin in the pot and that would keep the witches, ghoulies and other nasties outside. A fixture from a superstitious age. I just have to admire the effort that went into tiling the words "Witches Corner" and the little cauldron below a chimney-like brick structure.
I'm in England currently which feels kind of fitting because the birth of Harry Potter took place here. Witches and wizards, Hogwarts, wands, and cats, toads and (of course) cauldrons. The Warner Brothers Studios are here and tours allow you to traverse the sets and view props among other things. If you ever get the chance, I would recommend. Now on with the post.
This wasn't actually in a movie. It's a real place. Korner's Folly, (there are supposed to be 2 dots over the "o" in Korner's, but I can't figure out how to do that, so you'll just have to imagine), and the below picture shows something that is just outside the front door.
Witches Corner. I just had to stand and look and marvel at this for a few minutes when I saw it. I love anything that hints at the supernatural and this has an interesting story behind it.These were actually common occurrences outside homes. The idea was that a visitor would deposit a coin in the pot and that would keep the witches, ghoulies and other nasties outside. A fixture from a superstitious age. I just have to admire the effort that went into tiling the words "Witches Corner" and the little cauldron below a chimney-like brick structure.
June 25, 2018
A Booklist for those who have similar tastes
Guess what I finally added to my bookshelf!
It was so amazing to add this to my shelf. Luckily I had room.
A friend asked me if I would send her a booklist for the summer. I love reading and I've spent most of my time doing that, especially when I have access to my hoarded trove of books. Since I'm often away from my books, whenever I return I make a pile of all the books I wish to read before I leave again. This time I had a week and I put at least 10 books out, sometimes it's hard to keep track. When you're reading that fast, the stories blur and you get caught up in the world so much that you lose track of time.
Anyway, here is a list of books that I have read and enjoyed and perhaps you can find a favorite among the list. I can't remember if I mentioned on the blog before, but I have a Goodreads account, so if you want to see some of the books that I have read, they'll be on there. Although, this list does cover most of the recent novels I've picked up.
Series
Harry Potter - J.K. Rowling
Percy Jackson (The original - Percy Jackson and the Olympians) - Rick Riordan
Outlander - Diana Gabaldon
A Court of Thorns and Roses - Sarah J. Maas
A Throne of Glass - Sarah J. Maas
The Infernal Devices - Cassandra Clare
The Dark Artifices - Cassandra Clare
The Tapestry - Henry H. Neff
The Enchanted Forest Chronicles - Patricia C. Wrede
The Legend of Eli Monpress - Rachel Aaron
Hex Hall - Rachel Hawkins
Alex Rider - Anthony Horowitz
Artemis Fowl - Eoin Colfer
Wild Magic - Tamora Pierce
The Magic Thief - Sarah Prineas
Sherlock Holmes - Arthur Conan Doyle (Every single story is amazing)
Dragon Slippers - Jessica Day George
YA Fictional
Graceling - Kristin Cashore
Fire - Kristin Cashore
Heist Society - Ally Carter
Six of Crows - Leigh Bardugo
Crooked Kingdom - Leigh Bardugo
The False Prince - Jennifer A. Nielsen
Rebel of the Sands - Alwyn Hamilton
Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment - James Patterson
Maximum Ride: School's Out Forever - James Patterson
Maximum Ride: Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports - James Patterson (Don't read further)
Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore - Robin Sloan
Island of the Blue Dolphins - Scott O'Dell
The Search for Delicious
Tuck Everlasting
Paulo Coelho
Veronika Decides to Die
The Alchemist
The Witch of Portobello
Brida
Eleven Minutes
The Zahir
The Spy
Older Literature
Pride and Prejudice
Dracula
The Moonstone
The Woman in White
Oliver Twist
A Tale of Two Cities
Armadale
Miscellaneous
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society
The Nightingale - Kristin Hannah
The Forty Rules of Love - Elif Shafak
The Bastard of Istanbul - Elif Shafak
Leaving Time - Jodi Picoult
Daughter of the Blood - Anne Bishop
Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls - David Sedaris
Chocolat - Joanne Harris
The Girl with No Shadow - Joanne Harris
A Discovery of Witches - Deborah Harkness
The Book Thief - Markus Zusak
Rising Strong - Brene Brown
If you have any favorite books, I'm always looking for new books to read. Post below in the comments!
It was so amazing to add this to my shelf. Luckily I had room.A friend asked me if I would send her a booklist for the summer. I love reading and I've spent most of my time doing that, especially when I have access to my hoarded trove of books. Since I'm often away from my books, whenever I return I make a pile of all the books I wish to read before I leave again. This time I had a week and I put at least 10 books out, sometimes it's hard to keep track. When you're reading that fast, the stories blur and you get caught up in the world so much that you lose track of time.
Anyway, here is a list of books that I have read and enjoyed and perhaps you can find a favorite among the list. I can't remember if I mentioned on the blog before, but I have a Goodreads account, so if you want to see some of the books that I have read, they'll be on there. Although, this list does cover most of the recent novels I've picked up.
Series
Harry Potter - J.K. Rowling
Percy Jackson (The original - Percy Jackson and the Olympians) - Rick Riordan
Outlander - Diana Gabaldon
A Court of Thorns and Roses - Sarah J. Maas
A Throne of Glass - Sarah J. Maas
The Infernal Devices - Cassandra Clare
The Dark Artifices - Cassandra Clare
The Tapestry - Henry H. Neff
The Enchanted Forest Chronicles - Patricia C. Wrede
The Legend of Eli Monpress - Rachel Aaron
Hex Hall - Rachel Hawkins
Alex Rider - Anthony Horowitz
Artemis Fowl - Eoin Colfer
Wild Magic - Tamora Pierce
The Magic Thief - Sarah Prineas
Sherlock Holmes - Arthur Conan Doyle (Every single story is amazing)
Dragon Slippers - Jessica Day George
YA Fictional
Graceling - Kristin Cashore
Fire - Kristin Cashore
Heist Society - Ally Carter
Six of Crows - Leigh Bardugo
Crooked Kingdom - Leigh Bardugo
The False Prince - Jennifer A. Nielsen
Rebel of the Sands - Alwyn Hamilton
Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment - James Patterson
Maximum Ride: School's Out Forever - James Patterson
Maximum Ride: Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports - James Patterson (Don't read further)
Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore - Robin Sloan
Island of the Blue Dolphins - Scott O'Dell
The Search for Delicious
Tuck Everlasting
Paulo Coelho
Veronika Decides to Die
The Alchemist
The Witch of Portobello
Brida
Eleven Minutes
The Zahir
The Spy
Older Literature
Pride and Prejudice
Dracula
The Moonstone
The Woman in White
Oliver Twist
A Tale of Two Cities
Armadale
Miscellaneous
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society
The Nightingale - Kristin Hannah
The Forty Rules of Love - Elif Shafak
The Bastard of Istanbul - Elif Shafak
Leaving Time - Jodi Picoult
Daughter of the Blood - Anne Bishop
Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls - David Sedaris
Chocolat - Joanne Harris
The Girl with No Shadow - Joanne Harris
A Discovery of Witches - Deborah Harkness
The Book Thief - Markus Zusak
Rising Strong - Brene Brown
If you have any favorite books, I'm always looking for new books to read. Post below in the comments!
June 19, 2018
The Blood Ran Red as Beet Juice
Have you ever juiced a beet?
I guess it would also behoove me to ask whether you have juiced at all. Some people might consider it a fad, another healthy diet trend that fades when the press dies down, but I think juicing is important (even fun). It's like potion-making for mortals.
And beets create a beautiful red color. It can stain your fingers and hands if you're not careful, which is what happened to me. Almost made my fingers look bruised, but it all comes out in the wash.
I'm not exactly sure why I wanted to talk about this, but I thought it was interesting. Blackberries can stain your lips and tongue. Asparagus turns your - well, I'll let you figure that one out.
There are so many foods that provide their own strong dye of sorts. So maybe I titled this wrong. It shouldn't be blood, but dye. Dyeing has been around for years, and certain colors were valued over others because of their rarity. For writing, it's important to realize that clothing and what it looks like depends on the time period and what is available. The small details are important and fun to work out, and it only takes about 5 minutes to understand the basics (within reason, physics, aeronautical engineering or some other field of study, probably take years of, well, study).
Vegetable dyes, as in from plants, are very popular and more likely what you think of when it comes to dye. We've heard of berries and bark, leaves and roots - animals and minerals are less likely at the forefront of your mind. However, there have been dyes made from interesting (albeit smelly) sources like cow urine or a combination of processes (like for Turkey red) which uses things like sheep's dung and calf's blood.
I have found that if we learn nothing from history, at least we can find it entertaining.
I guess it would also behoove me to ask whether you have juiced at all. Some people might consider it a fad, another healthy diet trend that fades when the press dies down, but I think juicing is important (even fun). It's like potion-making for mortals.
And beets create a beautiful red color. It can stain your fingers and hands if you're not careful, which is what happened to me. Almost made my fingers look bruised, but it all comes out in the wash.
I'm not exactly sure why I wanted to talk about this, but I thought it was interesting. Blackberries can stain your lips and tongue. Asparagus turns your - well, I'll let you figure that one out.
There are so many foods that provide their own strong dye of sorts. So maybe I titled this wrong. It shouldn't be blood, but dye. Dyeing has been around for years, and certain colors were valued over others because of their rarity. For writing, it's important to realize that clothing and what it looks like depends on the time period and what is available. The small details are important and fun to work out, and it only takes about 5 minutes to understand the basics (within reason, physics, aeronautical engineering or some other field of study, probably take years of, well, study).
Vegetable dyes, as in from plants, are very popular and more likely what you think of when it comes to dye. We've heard of berries and bark, leaves and roots - animals and minerals are less likely at the forefront of your mind. However, there have been dyes made from interesting (albeit smelly) sources like cow urine or a combination of processes (like for Turkey red) which uses things like sheep's dung and calf's blood.
I have found that if we learn nothing from history, at least we can find it entertaining.
