Writing Your Own Fairytale 1

Plan out your story first. Fairy tale’s can be written in many ways. Mainly though fairy tales do start with ‘Once upon a time….’ Fairytale’s are often a form of escapism into a magical world. Is this what you wish to create?

Many fairytale’s have a moral message for the readers. For example not to talk to strangers etc. Fairytale’s can be cautionary tales too. Some tales can encourage values of good manners and decency while others are slightly sexist and encourage women to obey their husbands.

Make points on the following:

• What is your story going to be about?
• What will happen?
• Who are the characters?
• Where will the story take place?
• What are the problem(s)?
• How will the character(s) overcome the problem?
• What is the message you want to convey?

The Main Characters

Who are the main characters in your story? What do they look like? Good characters need to be people whom your readers will easily be able to relate with. Many of the leading hero’s/heroine’s start off in the beginning as poor and unhappy and in the end live happily ever after. At the start of your tale what are the circumstances in which your character is living?

The main characters in fairy tales do not usually possess magical powers. They are mortal. This is good as it helps humanize and familiarize your characters with the readers more. Your readers need to be able to identify with your characters and want them to succeed.

When naming your character think about their position, who are they in society? If they are a prince or a princess you could simply refer to them as The prince or The princess.

Part two will be added soon where I will help you to develop evil characters, supporting characters, magic and of course a happy ending.