100 Days of Mockingjay - Elise's THG Story
Elise B Wed, August 12, 2015 Week 1 of our 100 Days of Mockingjay celebration is all about Your THG Story. Read about how to contribute yours here.
Elise is one of the writers here at PanemPropaganda and co-manages our instagram account. Here's her THG Story:
There are all types of people who like The Hunger Games. I was one of those people who didn’t connect with the trilogy when it first became popular. But I hadn't given it a chance. I’ve always been a “book person” but the books seemed violent and inhumane to me; I simply wasn’t interested no matter what people said. However, one of my friends convinced me to go see Catching Fire the weekend it came out, and I couldn’t go see that without seeing the first movie! So I forced myself to watch The Hunger Games (At the time I hadn’t read the books yet...I know, I know…). I thought “Okay this isn’t that bad but the concept is still strange to me”. The next day I saw Catching Fire and I was totally mesmerized during the whole film. I saw it multiple times and then I received the trilogy for Christmas and read them in January of 2014.
This trilogy (obviously!) means the world to me. I absolutely love interacting with all of you and being a part of the team at Panem Propaganda. I’ve gained so many friends and experiences in The Hunger Games fandom. The Hunger Games inspires me to believe in myself and to be strong and fight for what I believe in, no matter what anyone thinks. If something is important to you, it’s something that matters. The characters are unique and intriguing, along with the world they live in, Panem. This trilogy is a perfect example that life can go on, and people can learn to love after destruction, loss, and trauma. It prepares us to think about our future because after all, we are the future, and we have the chance to make it bright.
You can follow Elise on twitter @lawrencexswift.
And be sure to enter our week one GIVEAWAY here. You could win a black mockingjay pin and a mockingjay journal!
Reader Comments (4)
Well where to start, The Hunger Games made a HUGE impact to me by opening my eyes to conflicts that's happening in our world right now and it's amazing of how the whole political themes in the books can reflect to our society. You would wonder that the events in the Hunger Games trilogy won't ever come to life, however in the past decades some of these horrendous acts has happen. These themes and consequences of war are everywhere and it's our job, the millennium to stop this . Furthermore within the years of my Hunger Games phase (that still hasn't gone away lol) I met the two most amazing, funny, relatable, tacky, and most importantly lovable friends throughout this glorious fandom Yadira Jazmine two who truly become my best friends, something that you don't get everyday, my golden trios for life! I can't fathom the amazing moment I've had over the past years, I met some of the cast of Catching Fire with my beloved mother which was a one in a lifetime experience to meet and have them sign my poster something that was amazing, however I still remember skipping school to see them and missing my civics test that day, oops. My journey having being a fan of the Hunger Games change my lifestyle completely, in my high school and middle school years I've been wearing all of my Hunger Games pin on my collar, people come around and make fun of my style. I'm that person who loves to feel different and awesome, I ignored them and their remarks, even then I wore my pins for my Senior Pictures which was AWESOME! I won't ever forget the times I woke up excited for a new trailer and coming home from school to see the new Hunger Games posters and stills, also staying up late to see the cast interviews, the premiere, and the comic con panels! And most importantly I will never ever stop throwing up my fingers up high and do the Three Finger Salute while sing the hanging tree annnnd while people stare at me wierdly lol
I wasn't sure about the Hunger Games at first. I mean, I had heard that it was about kids fighting to the death. But once I started reading it I was hooked! Hunger Games has taught me to stand up for what you believe and to make a difference. Just like one girl changed her world, so can we. I love how family is a big part of the story, how Katniss is willing to die to save her sister. The Hunger Games series has inspired me to write my own books that will hopefully one day inspire people like the Hunger Games series. Every character has taught me lessons I will never forget. I have cried, laughed, and cheered over the books and the movies and enjoyed every minute. The Hunger Games has taught me to be comfortable in myself and not worry about what others think. I coukd go on and on about how the Hunger Games has inspired me. May the Hunger Games continue to inspire even when the movies are over.
The Hunger Games. The only book I've ever read that left me simultaneously hating and loving the author through every single page. The only book I've cried while reading (I full out broke down when Everlark's kids take Rue's lullaby for granted). The only book where EVERYTHING is a cliffhanger. The book that always left me hanging.
I was hooked from the Reaping when Katniss stepped up for Prim. I could NOT put that book down. My family said it wasn't an appropriate book for me, but I didn't care; the Games had begun, and a tribute had better be able to hit and run.
I love Katniss. She's a bit broken, a bit rude, but she makes up for that. She has MERCY during the Games. When she killed Cato, when she refused to kill Peeta, when she took care of him when she knew he was slowing her down, and many other times. She takes care of herself, but she doesn't like to leave anyone behind.
I also loved Rue. I cried when she died and Katniss covered her in flowers and sang the lullaby.
If I were ever a tribute, I'd be like Katniss; wait for the others to kill each other, and always feel like everyone is plotting against you.
Some say that The Hunger Games is for girls or for kids. I think they're just too afraid to read it. The Mutts, the Avoxes, hearing your family tortured while fighting for your own life, being showered in BLOOD, being chased by gaseous fog, and never knowing if you'll make it out alive. Some would be afraid to read it, and I don't blame them; The Hunger Games messes with your emotions, your head, your judgment, and your outlook.
The Hunger Games is The Hunger Games, and "only one comes out".
The Hunger Games trilogy has changed my life incredibly. It started with Katniss Everdeen's empowering story that Suzanne Collins created so beautifully. The Hunger Games novels have changed me as a person. I was consumed by the world of Panem and these amazing and influential characters that I knew would stay with me forever. When the films were released, my love for the novels expanded. I was now not only in love with the novels but also the amazing people who brought my little fantasy to life. The cast, Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson and Elizabeth Banks are just a few amongst the incredibly talented actors that portrayed my favourite characters so closely. Also, the amazing people behind the scenes who equally made the series so breathtaking. Gary Ross, Francis Lawrence, Nina Jacobson, Jon Kilik, James Newton Howard and Peter Craig. None of this could never have happened without any of them. So I thank you, all of you. Cast, crew and author for creating this extraordinary world that has changed my life in so many ways and ultimately made me a better person. The Hunger Games trilogy has inspired me greatly in my writing and school work and I could never have achieved so much without it. My endless obsession with Everlark may seem slightly unhealthy to many people but I could never deny the amount of happiness that Katniss and Peeta bring me! One of my favourite aspects of The Hunger Games is that each character has their own amazing story that has inspired so many and the fact that so many people from around the world can relate to it differently. When I joined the fandom in 2013 I had no idea how dramatically my life would change. I have met so many incredible and kind people, some of which are my best friends and I know it's a friendship that will last a lifetime. These years will always hold such a big part of my heart and I will never forget the amazing journey we all went on together.