retell a story
An online poll was conducted to determine the most popular fairy tales of all time. You are familiar with all the winners. They are some of your favorites and mine. But let’s show some creativity, okay? How about some plot twists to make the story less predictable? How about a unique twist or change in ending, characters, intent, personality, or plot? It has been done before. For example, “Little Red Riding Hood,” first published in 1697 by Charles Perrault as a warning to the wandering ladies of Louis XIV’s court, has undergone a series of metamorphoses, including one by the Brothers Grimm in 1812, before reaching to your present. daytime version. So pick one, two or more, put on your thinking (and writing) cap, unleash your muse, and let your creativity reign supreme. Why do HC Anderson, Mother G., that Barrie guy, and those Brothers Grimm have all the fun?
Little Red Riding Hood
Why was “Red” really on his way to Grandma’s house? Or was he to Grandma’s house that he was headed to? Who (or what) is the “wolf”? Why is he set to “Red”? What is really going on? Tell me why I couldn’t tell the difference between Grandma and the wolf at 100 yards. Let the lion (or wolf) tame. Is “Red” an animal lover? Is she a “fox”? If so, what happens when the “cunning” Little Red Riding Hood meets Wolfie? What, please tell me, do we do with the wolf? You’re not going to, (gulp!) KILL HIM, are you? The SPCA might give you a problem about that.
Goldilocks and the Three Bears
Hey, what was “Goldie” doing in the woods? And alone too? Where did the bear family go? Excuse me, but last time I checked, bears don’t eat porridge! So anyway, what do you do with an intruder you catch in your house who has already trashed the place? How about a quirky, funny, or humorous ending here? Time to add a player? Do you feel hungry? There is still some mush left.
The three Little Pigs
Give me a break! Pigs don’t live in houses, they live in a pigsty. Have you ever smelled one of those? I’m telling you, he’ll take your ham and pork chops away from you forever. Anyway, how come Wolfie doesn’t notice? Have you seen the commercial where he appears in house number three with a bulldozer? By the way, is this the same wolf that has been bothering the redhead? Didn’t we get rid of that hairy bastard in another story? Perhaps they are twins or another family member has come? Well, anyway, YOU find out. I’m going to go get some porridge – oops! Wrong story. I am sorry.
Peter Pan
Nobody has a problem with a kid who never gets out of sixth grade? Why don’t they kill that crocodile? (Has anyone seen “Jaws”?) If you can fly, why stay on an island? Paris in spring is nice, but in winter it’s the pits. That’s when I would try Buenos Aires. How and what do these “boys” eat? And if Wendy is the only girl among all those “lost boys”, I see that there will be some problems. What if Peter took a wrong turn and ended up in Kabul, Amsterdam, or the South Bronx? Oh!
Cinderella
This one has already been done a bunch of times, but they haven’t gotten it right yet! Surely you can put in a couple of good plot twists and a surprise ending that will keep readers on their toes. My Fairy Godmother grants me a “wish” and you think I’m going to ask for clothes? Out of here! I can think of a few other things to be desired under those conditions. Man, what could Alfred Hitchcock do with a plot like that! He would make Cindy take charge of her situation in very “special” ways. And you? What would YOU make Cindy do? My devious mind is already saving ideas for that “stepmother” and her trifles. (Pun intended – No, stop!)
Snow White and the Seven Dwarves
We all now know that child protective services, civil rights law advocates, the ACLU, the NAACP, labor unions, Amnesty International, the FBI, the CIA, and a host of other government, religious, and private agencies would have a picnic with this one. This story would certainly be a challenge to work with. Let’s see, a comedy twist, change of location, change of plot, maybe a ticklish murder mystery? (Has anyone seen or heard of “Sneezy” lately?) How about a “gangster” version called “Get Grumpy”? The possibilities boggle the mind. Why don’t you take a stab (pun intended) at this story?
What will it be then? Humor, mystery, adult, crime, sci-fi, western, drama, bizarre, wacky or even raw, pure naked horror do you like? Create your own alternative version of the fractured fairy tale. It will not only be challenging and loads of fun, but an immeasurable boost to your creativity as you weave, prance, shoot, stab, trip, plot, neigh and wriggle your way through as yet uncharted territory, for you. Fractured versions of fairy tales abound online (don’t look now!), but whip up and work with your muse to develop new varieties of tired old themes. Let me know how it went. (Oops, no pun intended)