Information about fairytales

What is a fairy tale?

A fairy tale is a type of story that originated in the oral tradition. These are stories that have been passed down for generations in every culture around the world. Fairy tales are part of the larger genre of folklore that includes folktales, legends and myths. Although the name is fairytale, not all stories have fairies in then, but most usual contain some kind of magic or magical element.

What are the elements of a fairy tale?

Like any story, a fairy tale must have a beginning, a middle and an end. Most fairy tales begin with "Once upon a time" and end with "and they lived happily ever after." Fairy tale settings usually take place in a palace or castle, a forest, or a town. There is usually one good character and one bad or evil character. The evil character presents a problem that the good character must overcome and/or learn a life lesson from. This is usually solved by using magic.

What is a "Fractured" Fairy Tale?

Fractured fairy tales contain a similar plot to the original tale, but with a funny twist or change. Often the setting, characters or ending is changed. A great example is: Tangled, the animated Disney movie

Five tips if you plan to write a fairytale retelling:

👸 Keep a couple of familiar elements and make a twist out of it. "Expect the Unexpected".

 Turn a famous characters or details from a fairytale into something very unexpected and interesting! A princess no need of a hero but she can be a hero herself, or a villain is not a total villian themselves. Put a unique spin on this fairy tale: write a character different than the original hero, situate the story in another country like modern-day city or Asian countries or even science-fiction world, twist the begin, and continue the ending or even make a new one.

👸 Beef up the characterization: Do you feel like you would have done better if you were them?

Some of the characters are simply retracing their steps! They have a similar vibe to each other. Heroes are excellent people who must be polite and sacrifice in order to save the world. The prince is the only one who can save the princess. This one can be covered in your retelling; be creative! Would you stand there and wait to be rescued if you were the protagonist? No? You've got a story to tell!

👸 Mix in other stories: Connect fairytales together! Suprise you readers

Have you ever come upon some enigmatic easter eggs in a fairytale film? The one that suggests the sunk ship in The Little Mermaid was the ship that Elsa and Anna's parents were on? Do you believe it or do you think to yourself, "Wow!" when you read it? It might be just due to imagination but it can be also a good retelling idea for your stories. 

👸 Build a world around the tale: Live in the fairytale, won't you?

Based on the stories and the characters, you can build the world system around it! If they can do it, you too! What if, all the princesses all live in one same country without knowing?

👸Read more and watch more: The more fairytales you know, the more you can retell! 

Do you know any more advice on how to write a retelling, not only a fairytale retelling? 

Comment below your favorite retelling works? Published or Wattpad ones will do! We would love to see! But please only title and the author.