Welcome to Confinement.
This is my first ever novel and therefore it's not that professional. English is also not my first language since I'm from Denmark, so apologies of the grammar or spelling is off at times, I'm doing my best <3
With that being said, I am proud of this, and I hope you will enjoy.
AUTHORS THOUGHTS ON THE STORY:
DO NOT READ IF YOU WANT TO IMAGINE YOUR OWN WORLD!
The Center: I imagined the Center being very extravagant, but still a bit old looking. I visited Budapest in the Summer and found it insanely beautiful. I imagine the building style in the Center would be somewhat reminiscent of that; very grand with a lot of details like gargoyles and spears and whatnot, and with a lot of dusty and faded colors on the buildings. I also imagined there being a lot of statues and fountains, basically a very rich place filled with a lot of history.
Inspiration: I found a lot of inspiration in Taylor Swift's lyrics, and if you know her lyrics, I'm sure you'll find some hints ;)
Here's a list of all the songs that inspired me in some way:
- Say Don't Go (Taylor Swift)
- Tolerate It (Taylor Swift)
- Illicit Affairs (Taylor Swift)
- I miss you, I'm sorry (Gracie Abrams)
- The last time (Taylor Swift)
- You're losing me (Taylor Swift)
- Sad beautiful tragic (Taylor Swift)
- All you had to do was stay (Taylor Swift)
- So good – Stripped (Halsey)
- I don't wanna live forever (Taylor Swift and ZAYN)
- Exile (Taylor Swift)
- Coney Island (Taylor Swift)
- Black Friday (Tom Odell)
- Ivy (Taylor Swift)
- Daylight (Taylor Swift)
- Safe & Sound (Taylor Swift)
- I know the end (Phoebe Bridgers)
I got the idea to this novel after watching and then reading The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. I loved the book, and loved how Coriolanus struggled with his image and how his family was secretly poor, that got me the idea of Harrison having to 'clear his family name'.
The Zones: Yes, the Zones were inspired by The Hunger Games, but I tried to make it as different as possible. I really loved the Idea of Tetrea being separated into rich and poor (Among other things) And because I wanted the angle of the zoo and the Savings/Honors, it just worked out if the poor was also divided into smaller parts, instead of one big union.
The zoo and the cage: Came from a dream I once had, but it was after my father had told me this story of how there used to be a zoo that had cages for human beings, just because they looked 'different'. I don't remember if it was a real story but it has always been on my mind. Everyone deserves to be equal, and it pains me to know that there still are people in this world that discriminate based on looks, religion, or whatever.
Castania: While writing, she reminded me of Lucie from Amalie Skrams novel Lucie. They are in no way the same person and their stories are very different, but that book has a special place in my heart and I loved how Lucie fought back. I'm unsure if it has been translated, since I read it in Norwegian, but it's a good read and I will always love Amalie Skram.
Also... I'm a sucker for blond guys with an authority problem, apparently. And yes, I do enjoy a good enemies to lovers story #Dramoine <3