Telling a story in a futuristic world gives you this freedom to explore things that bother you in contemporary times.

In this quote, Suzanne Collins explains how writing stories set in a futuristic world provides a unique freedom to explore contemporary issues. By setting her narratives in imagined, future societies, Collins can address topics that may be difficult or complex to discuss in the context of the present day. This freedom allows authors to critique social and political issues, offering new perspectives without being confined to the limitations or expectations of the current world.

Collins suggests that science fiction and futuristic settings provide a canvas for creative expression, where authors can use elements of the future to mirror, amplify, or critique the problems faced in contemporary times. For example, in her Hunger Games series, Collins explores themes like inequality, oppression, and totalitarianism in a dystopian future, which serves as an exaggerated reflection of issues in modern society. By creating these alternate worlds, writers can illuminate real-world problems while engaging readers with imaginative and thought-provoking scenarios.

The freedom that comes with writing about a futuristic world also allows for the exploration of alternative solutions or potential outcomes to current societal challenges. It offers a way to look at the future not just as an inevitable progression, but as a realm where choices made today can lead to radically different futures, encouraging readers to think critically about the path we are currently on.

The origin of this quote lies in Suzanne Collins's work as a novelist and screenwriter, particularly her Hunger Games series, which is set in a dystopian future. Her experiences as an author of young adult fiction have influenced her approach to using futuristic settings as a tool to engage with social commentary and highlight the consequences of current political and social trends. Collins’s ability to use the future to address the present is a hallmark of her writing style and a powerful tool for sparking reflection and conversation.