Fairy Tales and Writing Workshops
What is your favorite fairy tale? Do you prefer the dark originals or the Disney retellings? In Neil Stevenson’s THE DIAMOND AGE, he writes that the original fairy tales encourage “subversiveness,” and that this lesson is imperative to grow an inquisitive, free-thinking mind. I had always thought of the original tales as being cautionary, not encouraging rebellion. Heroes and heroines break the rules and get set upon by evil. Have I been looking at them the wrong way?
I came across a new creative writing tool for Seattle area writers today. The Fairy Tale Factory offers workshops in writing fairy tales. Students will study the genre and learn to compose their own stories. The six-week workshops focus on learning to plot tightly and explore one’s own creativity. I have always loved Fairy Tales–Baba Yaga, the Firebird, Raven, along with Rapunzel and her ilk. Gruesome originals, humorous fractured retellings and Disneyfied happily-ever-afters. Patricia C. Wrede’s Enchanted Forest Chronicles (Book 1: Dealing with Dragons) is one of my favorites for the way she weaves in traditional fairy tales with a twist.
Wednesday nights, September 16 – October 21: Intro to Writing Fairy Tales
Spend six weeks in the land of Fairy. Learn the basic rules of the genre, plus a variety of approaches to fairy tales as readers and as writers. Study western European tales from the late middle ages to modern times. Write a lot! Writing exercises assigned after each class. By the end of the course you will have written at least one original fairy tale of your own. All experience levels welcome.
Tags: fairy tale factory, fairy tales, writing, writing workshops
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August 11, 2009 at 11:53 am
Hmm..I’m wondering how this might work out as an online blog collaborative project. It could be cool and it could be ‘cruel’…dunno, but thanks for the brainstorm much.
Oh and if you do haiku, there’s an open invitation buffet at mi casa if you care to drop a haiku fish into a dish. grins!
and thanks again for the ‘idea’–appreciate it much.
August 11, 2009 at 1:59 pm
I’m definitely in for the darker originals than the Disney feel goods. (I’m still waiting for them to tackle Romeo and Juliet but with a happy ending.)
Fairytale workshop sounds interesting. Wonder if it available on-line.
August 11, 2009 at 3:45 pm
For the most part I get annoyed with the Disney stories but I love Mulan (I don’t think it stems from any of the original Grimm tales though). I love that she saves herself and the men she’s fighting with and she’s kick ass all on her own :)