Do you love fairy tales?
There’s something timeless about them that makes us want to return again and again, whether it’s to a more cleaned up animated version or the original nitty-gritty tales by the Grimms brothers and Hans Christian Anderson and others. And maybe that’s why we also like to read new versions of them too. We love the original story, so why wouldn’t we love the same tale told another way?
At least, that’s the way it works in my world. Maybe it’s because of the happy ending. I’m a sucker for those. It’s why I write romance.
Once upon a time …
And again and again and again …
I have loved the idea of writing a modern day fairy tale for a long time. Even joked about it with some friends. But none of the ideas ever really meshed in my head … until now. I’m pretty excited. Because I have what I think is a great idea for a new Cinderella story. I was inspired by my trip to West Virginia back in the Spring, where there is so much beauty and art. And I could just picture this girl covered in charcoal …
So, since Nanowrimo is coming up in November (National Novel Writing Month), and I already knew I was planning to participate in that crazy challenge again for the first time in several years, I will be working on my story then. The details are fleshing out in my head, and I’m scribbling them down in a notebook to wait for November. Why am I waiting? Because I have another book releasing between now and then and just don’t have time to write until after Mama Dated Santa releases (more about that next month).
Anyway, I’m not the only InspyRomance author inspired by the tales as old as time.
Jaycee Weaver has just rereleased a couple of her modern-day fairy tale retellings this summer. A Splash of Love and Unkissable are both super cute stories originally in a collection with several other authors. They’re her take on The Little Mermaid and The Frog Prince. And she has another one set to release next summer. I’m so excited! She was inspired by things like Vegas mermaids and reality stars. Definitely a step away from the original fairy tale.
Carolyn Miller accidentally wove a bit of fairy tale into her book Restoring Fairhaven. She has a strong heroine and a wounded hero. Sound familiar? If you’re thinking Beauty and the Beast, that’s what several other readers have thought too. I definitely need to check that one out.
And Toni Shiloh has a couple that were also in the collections with Jaycee. An Ever After Summer is her take on Beauty and the Beast. Books, France, and a grump. Who could ask for more? And her A Snow White Christmas is a fun story of a “princess” stuck in a blizzard with seven interesting old uncles. ;) Very fun.
These are all modern takes on the old stories. I also like other versions, like when they retell it in a different way but the same time period. Or when they set it in an older time period, like the 1800s. Basically, just give me all the fairy tales.
So, as I prep to write my own fairy tale retelling, I’d love feedback from readers. What do you hope for when you pick up a modern day version? What do you get tired of? Have you ever read one before? Others you can add to our list?
Amy R Anguish grew up a preacher's kid, and in spite of having lived in seven different states that are all south of the Mason Dixon line, she is not a football fan. Currently, she resides in Tennessee with her husband, daughter, and son, and usually a bossy cat or two. Amy has an English degree from Freed-Hardeman University that she intends to use to glorify God, and she wants her stories to show that while Christians face real struggles, it can still work out for good.
I have read a few. I did read Restoring Resthaven and enjoyed it. I read a Cinderella story by Darlene Franklin which was really good.
While reading I was thinking there are some fairytales that would be difficult to write as a modern story although I guess there would be a way. My favourite as a kid was The Snow Queen (which really isn’t anything like Frozen), Although I guess it could be done with the wicked queen who blinds the hero being a domineering character who gaslights the hero and the heroine finally being able to expose the bad person.
The ugly duckling is another that has been done although it may not have been intentional. The hero or heroine always told they were useless or wouldn’t amount to anything or put down in so many ways but the hero/heroine see’s the potential in the other and is able to encourage them and help them see it too. While its not written as a ugly duckling story in reality it really is.
I haven’t read any so thanks for the list.
Agreed. Some are definitely easier to redo than others. I feel like I am starting out easy. :)
You’re welcome! I hope you enjoy!
I haven’t read any deliberate updates I don’t think, but I think a lot of romance stories have elements of fairy tale – the grumpy/sunshine trope is a bit ‘Beauty and the Beast’ and billionaire romance with a heroine who is usually overlooked for some reason echoes ‘Cinderella’. The ones on your list sound fun, I’ll have to check them our!
I’ve read a few, and really liked them! I like it when it isn’t so obvious that it’s a retelling. Of course, you still have to have the happy ending, or it just isn’t good. I think there are a lot more Beauty and the Beast retellings than any other fairy tale, but since it’s my favorite, I don’t mind!
Beauty and the Beast is one of my favorites too! And yes to the happily ever after!
Fairy tales are such fun! I’m definitely a sucker for retellings. 😊 Thanks for including my novellas! Ok so intrigued by the WV coal girl!
I was just thinking about how several of our “regular ” tropes fit within fairytales. I hope you enjoy reading these!
Glad I have you intrigued! And I loved your retellings. Can’t wait for your next!
I haven’t read any that u listed.
I haven’t read any of the books you mentioned. I will have to check some of them out.
Happy Thursday, Amy!This German American retired teacher grew up on Grimm’s Fairy Tales in the original German. I studied Grimm’s Fairy Tales in my college Children’s Lit class. I taught Grimm’s Fairy Tales in my German classes – great way to teach the two past tenses in the German language. I have many fairy tale books in my personal library and am intrigued by retellings of the classic one and at times some not so well know. One fun children’s book that my granddaughters and I loved was Ten Little Princesses, which incorporated fairy tales and folk tales – the big bad wolf, trolls, the giant in Jack in the beanstalk and more.
A good fairy tale retelling starts Once Upon a Time and Ends with Happy Ever After. Sometimes needs to include 3 things / conflicts – Goldilocks and the 3 Bears / 3 Little Pigs etc. Fairy Tales need a strong protagonist AND ANTAGONIST. Or something magical to happen. Best wishes on your retelling.
I have read a few fairy tale re-dos and have enjoyed them. They had the same plot but everything else was different, I enjoy these and even though I can tell it is a fairy tale remake, they have been fun. I look forward to your book. thanks for sharing the above ones.
So glad you enjoy them! Thanks for commenting.
I hope you can enjoy some of them!
I hope you enjoy them. They’re really cute.
Thank you so much. And I may need to check out that 10 Little Princesses story for my daughter. Sounds right up her alley.
I think it’s a fine line between following the original tale and adding its own unique twist. In the end, I guess I’m hoping for the core (or moral) of the story to be present in the retelling. The rest is up to the author, especially within a contemporary setting. A couple of stories that come to mind are Jessie Gussman’s “The Cowboy’s Beauty” and “The Cowboy’s Fairy Tale”.
Yes! And those sound like fun ones. I will have to check them out.
I just remembered after someone mentioned them the cowboys fairy tale which I read already
Nice!
What do you hope for when you pick up a modern day version? Something new and unexpected :)
What do you get tired of? Same plot.
Have you ever read one before? Yes, several.
Others you can add to our list? Jessie Gussman’s stories are always fun to read.
I’ve heard several people mention Jessie Gussman today! I obviously need to check her out. :)
We do not have any children or grandchildren. It has been so many years since I have read fairy tales that I am not sure that I remember many. I enjoy books with happy endings. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.
I bet they would come back to you very quickly! Thanks for commenting.
Jessie Gussman has written several Beauty & the Beast retellings in addition to The Cowboy’s Beauty mentioned above. Others are: Just a Cowboy’s Fairy Tale, The Beast Gets His Cowgirl in the Show Me State, and Cowboy Dancing All Night.
Rachel Hauck’s Once Upon a Prince has several “nods” to Cinderella. She has written several other “modern fairy tales”, but they don’t seem to be based on specific classic fairy tales.
I’ve read quite a few fairy tale retellings by Christian authors, but other than Jessie Gussman’s, most have been in the fantasy genre.
It’s definitely true that a lot of fairy tale retellings are fantasy. I think that’s what intrigues me so much about doing one that’s not fantasy. It’s a challenge!
I’ve read at least one of hers, but I’ll definitely have to go check the others out. Thanks.