The Fourth Annual Writer Games: Canon

Task One - The Tributes

"And so those reaped shall be transported from their Districts to the Capitol. There shall be no contact with family or acquaintances after stepping foot on the train which is to take them to the Capitol ... Any attempt to escape will result in the tribute being sedated and kept in lockdown." Book of Panem. XV. III.I.

"Let's review the footage again."

It's the thirteenth hour since the reapings began. By now they've finished, tributes off to the Capitol, the first batch of Districts taking stops and breaks and slowing their speed in order to make their arrival in the morning timed in fifteen minute intervals between each District. Twelve, of course, gets no such breaks.

While the tributes rest and contemplate their demise or future loss of humanity, the Gamemakers shuffle over themselves, stuffed in the Control Room overlooking the workers finishing codes and designs. Orvan clicks replay on his holophone, illuminating the far wall as the reapings begin again.

"I've already made my comments on each tribute, Orvan," says Clautilda. "If we could only discuss my findings, I believe it would be a much better use of our time than reviewing footage we've seen several times over." She takes a sip of chamomile tea.

"Comments are necessary, yes," replies Orvan. "But so is seeing them. Personality affects much, but so too does their presence. What you've gathered from body language does not tell us how they shall react. They may be cunning and planning already. You discredit the fact many wish to do everything in their power to win. After all, Clau, I do recall hearing about your unfortunate prediction of Mr. Abernathy. No, we must look to the ones around them, see who visited who, see who reacted how, to more accurately discover who each of these people are."

Clautilda scoffs in indignation. It was not her fault that Haymitch Abernathy decided to go rogue. No one before him had been so arrogant, no one before him had been so determined. But her prediction that he was careless, that he was a dangerous person, was that not accurate? No one labelled rogue had ever gone rogue against the Capitol, after all. Haymitch was careless, dangerous in his inability to follow what others were doing. It should've got him killed in the first day. Instead, it got everyone he ever loved killed within the month.

A door opens, and Caesar Flickerman walks in and takes a seat beside Julius. "The people are eager to see the new batch in person, but I think they're expecting more than the tributes have. Chatter on the feeds show they haven't quite forgotten last year. They're excited because they think they're going to see more."

"More what?" says Orvan. "More failure on our part?"

"No, no, no. More...excitement."

"With last year's Game," says Julius, "we managed to skew the Capitol's perception of the win to 93% positive. The vast majority believe it was a deliberate choice that the Gamemakers allowed it to happen. The Districts also seem to be quelled quite nicely. We do, of course, have a few people this time around seeming to be vying for the same glory, so Clau's notes indicate, but I think we're in a good position."

"Yes," says Caesar. "We throw a little sparkle on the parade, a little glitter on the score announcements, and spice up the interviews a bit. Make sure it looks nice, make sure the tributes know who's in charge."

"Alright, then. The first train will be arriving in eight hours."

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Welcome, authors to the Fourth Annual Writer Games: Canon! And to your tributes, let us welcome them to the 51st Annual Hunger Games! Thank you all for filling these so promptly, I'm excited to read each and every one of your entries. A reminder that these Games, as my Games are in general, appreciate realism as an important aspect of writing. It's the 51st Hunger Games—you have so much to explore and do! Make it count, and let me see your tributes begin to shine.

This is your first task, meaning I'll be setting out a few options for you to choose from and whichever option you choose you must abide by its requirements (though anything extra is more than welcome, and encouraged!) If you want to remain truest as you can, there's several PDF's of the Hunger Games available online if you want to corroborate facts and get a clearer picture of what happens (because isn't that a thrilling time? It is for me!).

So, without further ado, let the curtains rise. Please turn off your cellular devices. Enjoy the show.

THE TASK

You're free to choose one of the three following tasks to write, though do not feel limited by thinking you must only confine yourself to only writing the one scene. Make it feel real, make a good impression. A reminder that this task is the only one where I will be choosing sponsors for next task (ie. Tributes who will receive a special gift or bonus to be used next task only).

Option One: The Justice Building

Your time frame: You may write from just as the reaping has concluded (ie. the tributes shake hands and head to the Justice Building) up to just as the train pulls into the Capitol. To recap what happens, tributes are escorted to their District's Justice Building, where they have a specified amount of time for family, friends, etc. to come and say their goodbyes and pay their respects. Some people will have many people, some none. After the time is up, the tributes are escorted to the train station by their escort. There, they meet up for the first time with their mentor(s), and travel to the Capitol. What happens on the train is up to you, but let it be noted it is one District per train, and you may also choose to include reaping recaps (though canonically this is often in the Training Center). This task is suited to those who want to show the more personal side of the story. Show me who they are, how they feel being ripped from their homes, and overall just let me see how they work. Make me feel like I'm there, let me inside their heads.

Option Two: The Entrance

Your time frame: Continuing straight from the last option, your entry may begin right after the train pulls into the Capitol in the morning, up to the first day of training. To recap what happens, tributes are whisked off to their stylist and prep team to be prepped for the tribute parade. They're then placed on chariots with their District partner and they parade around the Capitol before entering the Training Center, where they'll remain for the duration of their stay. Each District has their own floor. Training runs three days, beginning the morning after the tribute parade. Your timeline ends the end of the first training day. This task is suited to those who want to strut their description and/or characterization skills. It relies heavily on being able to be creative in either parade outfits or training skills. Again, be realistic, show me how they fit, where they stand.

Option Three: The Training Scores

Your time frame: Continuing just after the training ends, you may write anywhere from their training session up to just before their interview. To recap what happens, after three days of training, tributes are given fifteen minute slots to impress the Gamemakers privately. That evening, tribute scores are announced on television, a ranking to predict who will do well, so to say. The next day is training for the interview, which happens the next evening. Your entry may end anywhere before stepping onto the stage for the interview. This task is suited to those who wish to give me more of the holistic approach, in a way. That's not to say it's any easier than the others, as it will be harder to keep my attention in this option, but it's more suited to those who wish to show me everything they can: characterization, personal, psychological (not that the rest can't!).

Further information about this timeline can be found in either the book or on the Hunger Games wiki pages. Strut the best you've got. Each of these tasks covers about a day or two, and you may choose any time slot you wish as long as it fits into one of these tasks. Be as creative as you want otherwise!

BALLOTS/DEATHS

None. You'll have plenty of time for that next time.

WORD LIMIT

None. Write what fits your story best. (As long as it stays in time frame.)

DUE DATE

Friday June 29, 8pm AST.

Reminder to send entries to magmakepner(at)hotmail.com and if you have any questions don't hesitate to ask!