Retell a story
An online survey was conducted to determine the most popular fairy tales of all time. You know all the winners. They are some of your favorites and mine. But let’s show some creativity, shall we? How about some plot twists to make the story less predictable? How about a unique twist or change in the ending, characters, intention, 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 wandering ladies at the court of Louis XIV, has undergone a series of metamorphoses, including one by the Grimm brothers in 1812, before reaching your current version of the day. So pick one, two or more, set your thinking (and writer) limit, free your muse, and let your creativity reign supreme. Why are HC Anderson, Mother G., that fellow Barrie, and those Brothers Grimm funny?
Little Red Riding Hood
Why was “Red” really on the way to Grandma’s house? Or was he addressing grandmother? Who (or what) is the “wolf”? Why are you determined to “Red”? What is really happening? Tell me why couldn’t I tell the difference between Grandma and the wolf, at 100 yards? Let the lion (or wolf) tamer out. Is “Red” an animal lover? Is she a “fox”? If so, what happens when “cunning” Red Riding Hood meets Wolfie? What, please, say, do we do with the wolf? You’re not going to (drink!) KILL HIM, are you? The SPCA could give you a problem about it.
Goldilocks and the Three Bears
Hey, what was “Goldie” doing in the woods anyway? And she alone too? Where did the bear family go? Excuse me, but last time I checked, bears don’t eat mush! Anyway, what do you do with an intruder that you catch in your house and that has already destroyed the place? How about a quirky, funny, or humorous ending here? Time to add a player? Are you hungry? There is still a little porridge 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, it will take you away from ham and pork chops 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 teasing the redhead? Didn’t we get rid of that hairy bastard in another story? Maybe it’s a twin or another family member has come? Well, anyway, YOU figure it out. I’m going to have some porridge. Oops! Wrong story. I am sorry.
Peter Pan
Doesn’t anyone have a problem with a kid who never makes it out of sixth grade? Why don’t they kill that crocodile? (No one saw “Jaws”?) If you can fly, why stay on an island? Paris in spring is nice, but in winter it is a disaster. That’s when I would try Buenos Aires. How and what do these “boys” eat? And if Wendy is the only girl around all those “lost boys”, I can see some problems arise. What if Peter took a wrong turn and ended up in Kabul, Amsterdam, or the South Bronx? Oh!
Cinderella
This one has already been re-done a ton of times, but they still haven’t gotten it right! You can surely put a couple of nice plot twists and a surprise ending that will keep readers on their toes. My Fairy Godmother grants me a “wish” and do 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! It would make Cindy deal with her situation in very “special” ways. And you? What would you want Cindy to do? My devious little mind is already wasting ideas for that “stepmother” and her spoils. (Pun intended – No, stop that!)
Snow White and the Seven Dwarves
Now we all know that child protection services, civil rights advocates, the ACLU, the NAACP, trade unions, Amnesty International, the FBI, the CIA, and a host of other government, religious, and private agencies would one day have field with this. Without a doubt, it would be a challenge to work on this story. Let’s see, a comedy twist, place change, plot reversal, maybe a touchy murder mystery? (Has anyone seen or heard of “Sneezy” lately?) How about a version of “gangster” called “Get Grumpy”? The possibilities boggle the mind. Why don’t you stab (pun intended) in this story?
What will it be then? Humor, mystery, adult, crime, sci-fi, western, drama, bizarre, wacky or even crude, do you fancy naked horror? Create your own alternate version of Fractured Fairy Tale. Not only will it be challenging and loads of fun, but an immeasurable boost to your creativity as you weave, jump, shoot, stab, stumble, plot, neigh and spin through still unexplored territory, for you. Fractured versions of fairy tales abound online (no looking now!). But whip and work with your muse to develop new varieties of old tired songs. Let me know how it went. (Wow, no pun intended)
