"I learned a long time ago that life introduces young people to situations they are in no way prepared for...Stories have given me a place in which to lose myself. They have allowed me to remember. They have allowed me to forget. They have allowed me to imagine different endings and better possible worlds" (180)
o.0.o
For both Gay and myself, the characters of Katniss and River showed that we were not the only ones struggling in the world. These characters gave us a reprieve from our trauma, allowed us to express it how we wanted to, and assured us that we could come out the other side. Our experiences with these characters also demonstrated to both of us how incredibly important representation was, especially to other young teenagers going through similar circumstances. To that end we turned to writing, seeking to give to others the representation that meant so much to us.
A/N: Genre selected shows how representation helped me find peace in my life, even if it wasn't absolute.