Author's Note

(You can skip this and head over to the Chapter 1 if you like. But please consider reading this so you can be better prepared for my writing.)

Hi! Thanks for giving me and my vision a chance! I just want to start off by saying that I am a huge Hunger Games fan. I've read each of the books several times. Though, one of my favorite parts about being such a big fan of the books, is becoming a part of the Hunger Games fan fiction community.

I love reading the works by the people on this site. I have personally read through tons of what you guys have written. It is so fun to get a look at what people have been able to do with the characters, whether that be AU or not. So, being a student filmmaker and writer myself, I decided I wanted to get in on the action. But first, to answer the question that is probably on your mind…

Why another Peeta POV, and why should I read yours?

Good question. First let me just say that Peeta is my absolute favorite character in the series (Finnick comes in at number two, but Peeta beat him to it). I find that I can relate to him a lot, and as I read all the books, I felt like I really understood what he was thinking. Now, like I said, I love all of the fan fictions I have read on this site, and I have read a ton of Peeta POVs. Unfortunately, I feel like Peeta is often misrepresented as a character in his POVs. Allow me to explain.

I feel like most of the time, people write him as too much of a 1 dimensional character. His love for Katniss seems to be the only thing that is on his mind throughout. He isn't written as an independent. Plus, there doesn't seem to be much of a progression in his love for Katniss. He just instantly loves her fully from the start, leaving little room for development. For example, most HG Peeta POVs make it so that Peeta wants to die in the arena for Katniss right from chapter 1. That is something that I have never felt to be true. Though, I don't think he would kill Katniss, I still feel like he wants to win. It is over time that his relationship grows with her as he gets to know her better that he decides he cannot live without her. Now I am not denying that he feels a connection to her immediately, that is something I obviously don't avoid (as you will see). Also I give Peeta layers that I haven't really seen in other fan fictions that I feel are essential to his character. Hopefully you will pick up on them as you read.

Did I scare you off yet? Hopefully not. I just need you to trust that I know what I am doing with the character. I promise that by allowing Peeta to fall for Katniss more and more as the books go on, it will make the endgame all the more satisfying. I am not saying this book will have no romance. OF COURSE IT WILL. It is such a major part of Peeta's character and is so much fun to read/write.

So give me a chance. I am going to quickly note that the number of reviews, favorites, and follows aren't all that important to me. What is important is getting feedback, whether positive or negative. I want to hear what you guys think. It is what will ultimately make me a better writer. If you love it, let me know why you love it. If you hate it, let me know why you hate it. Also feel free to let me know what you would like to see more or less of. Or if you have any suggestions, let me know. I am more than happy to hear from you guys. I will be posting author's notes before each of the chapters with updates and other things.

Okay, so since this is the launch of the book for me, I am going to release the first 5 chapters right away (cause I love you guys). I'm thinking about releasing a chapter or two a week past that (depends on the demand). I am already past Chapter 13 as I am writing this, so hopefully I am ahead enough so that there shouldn't be any delays. At this point, you can probably expect that I will continue onto Catching Fire and Mockingjay as soon as I am finished with this one. I have some really cool ideas for those books that I cannot wait to delve into. And with that, I will leave you to read.

Thank you all so much who are giving me a chance and reading my work. I have worked really on this. I am having so much fun writing it. Hopefully you will enjoy reading it too.

-Ryan