The Essentials of a Fairy Tale

Dana Hinders reports:

"Whether you're combining elements of several different fairy tales, creating a fractured fairy tale, or giving a classic story a modern twist, fairy tales offer a rich source of inspiration. Fairy tales can be used as the basis of stories for children or combined with other elements in order to create a work that appeals to older audiences...Fairy tales can also inspire poems...Generally, a fairy tale is also described as a fable that teaches an important moral. The message of the story may be subtle, but it is what makes the fairy tale endure for generations of readers...To be successful, a fairy tale needs to have characters that readers can relate to. Generally, a fairy tale needs both a hero and a villain. The interaction between good and evil is a critical element in the success of your story. When learning how to write a fairy tale, keep in mind that your characters don't necessarily have to be human. Plenty of fairy tales have been created using animal characters as a starting point...Having an obstacle to overcome gives your characters something to accomplish during the story...What would a fairy tale be without a happy ending? Even though we don't always get what we wish for in real life, the world of fairy tales makes us believe that anything is possible. A successful fairy tale has a resolution to the plot that is believable, if not a bit optimistic."