attempting to write a book please give me feedback :)
Okay so I’m a HUGE fan of the Selection Series, and my friend likes the Hunger Games. Well I always have wanted to write a book and so I decided that we should do a colab. of the two books. And here’s the first chapter:
I sit in my room hoping. Hoping with all the hope in the world that one specific letter wouldn't come in the mail. Any other letter would be fine; but not this one. Today was the day the Royals would send out those letters. "Reagan!" My mother had called from the front of our little house. "Sweety, we got the mail from the The Royals!" My mother had once again reminded me. I had hoped all month that we wouldn't receive the letter, and yet here I am, having all my hope thrown in my face. I shoved my thoughts to the side, and dragged my body to the front door.
Our house wasn't all that big considering the fact that we were 3s. All the 3s were the people in our country that had a profession that did not include cleaning or serving. There are 4 different castes, the Royals, the Elite, a 3, and lastly a 4. The Royals were..well..royal. The Elite included celebrities and rich people. Their occupation varied depending on how much they make from doing anything. Then there is us; the 3s. Since most of the population were 3s, there was no need to pay a 3 very much money. 3s are the "crafty people", in other words, we just make and create things. 4s are the poorest, although sometimes 4s help the Royals in the castle, and earn more than the average 4. I'm a musician and so are my parents. My two sisters are artists. They both painted, crocheted, and liked to make clothes.
As I reached my mother, she gave me an excited smile. ''Sweetie, you should be happy!'' Since I had turned 18, she had dreamed of this letter. It was Illea's 20th time holding this event. It was considered the most exciting event of the country. Yeah if you weren't chosen that is. They put you on a game board that the Royals refer to as the arena. 50 girls are chosen to be in the arena. Many are chosen because they either die or die. The object of the game is to survive and try not to be killed. You get eliminated if you don't follow the rules, get killed, or if the Prince decides he doesn't like you. The Royals get to control the arena. The 8 girls left will then be taken from the arena and transported to the castle. From there, we learn how to be a royal. The only prize you receive out of this is, a stuck-up and bratty prince. The most girls that's ever been picked by the future king are 3 or 4 girls. And now, one of the fifty girls is going to be me. Once you're chosen, there is no way out. ''Mom, I would be happy if I wasn't forced into a death trap.'' I said trying to include all my sarcasm skills. ''But it would give you the chance to make our whole family Royals!'' My mother said like it was a piece of cake. If only it was. Of course she would be happy and excited. It wasn't that she was happy for me, she knew that if you became Illea's princess, your whole family would be able to move up castes. She was the only caste climber in our family. She even told us that she wouldn't let us marry someone lower than our caste. Well of course. If we married a 4 we would be poorest, but if we married an Elite, we would be marrying a celebrity. So that left us with our own caste. Our father was the only one who would love us no matter who we married. Both of my sisters were a mommy's girl. And I was a daddy's girl.
My mother handed me the letter. ''I know that it may seem like it sometimes, but I want you to at least try when you get to the arena. You're already chosen, so you might as well make the best of it. And if you fail, you can always come home and brag about it at the end. Even if it does means bragging about a broken leg.'' I could see her clearly trying to make fun of this horrid situation. That was one of the few characteristics I love about her, she could always see the good in things. One of the few things my sisters inherited from our mother
I trudged back to my room and slammed the door halfheartedly. I flopped down on the bed and sighed. It wasn't fair. I wasn't going to like that stupid "prince" anyway. I realized I was still holding the letter and enraged, I threw the letter across the room, where it slowly drifted down.
I wake to the sound of excited yelling of "SHE'S GOING TO BE THE PRINCESS!" and other words of happiness. I hadn't realized that I fell asleep. Before I had the time to process anything else, my sisters burst through the door, making me jolt backwards in shock. "You got chosen!" Kaila gushed, batting her eyelashes. "You're going to be killed!" Ashley drew in an exaggerated breath. Ashley was older than me by 2 years, and had wanted to be chosen when she was my age, but thankfully she wasn't. Kaila being the youngest one, gave Ashley a confused look wondering what she had meant. Kaila hadn't realized that winning would mean having to kill everyone else. She wasn't allowed to watch the "Games". Ashley calmly started to explain, but was cut off by a loud "Dinner's ready!"
As we started to eat dinner, my father arrived home from work. "So," He started as he started hanging his hat and jacket. "I heard the news...you're chosen." If I heard "chosen" AGAIN, I was going to die! ''Isn't it great?'' My mother cooed. So was this how she was going to play? She was going to get everyone on her side so she could convince me to think of this as an opportunity to be the next queen. At least the families of the chosen would get paid as like a 'thank you' from the Royals. But what were they appreciate of? Our life, so they could control the arena as we could die? ''Dad? What do you think of me entering the death trap?'' I asked even though I could already guess the answer. My father wouldn't say anything negative just because mother sat at the table. ''Well...it does give the family a good pay. And perhaps you'll fall in love with the prince. I was performing for an Elite family and over heard that they were giving the the choosing an update. This time you guys would first spend 2 months at the castle to get to know Prince Alex. Then you guys would head to the arena to fight. After 1 month at the arena, the remaining will be sent back to the castle. And from there, the final of the choosing will begin.'' They had shortened the time at the arena from 3 months to 1. At least that was a start. Still, the thought of staying anywhere from home for more than a couple of days, made me sick.
The beginning starts weird. I don’t like how the word “hope” is used a lot. The chapter might be cringy and horrible, but all criticism and feedback will be greatly appreciated. :)
janainaart
jacobvanloon
origamiaround
jbbartram-illu
