Fairytales are dreams made real. Stories of dragons, princesses and mystic enchantments mix with culture, to affect children and adults in ways that are powerful yet unseen. Some experts believe that fairytales reflect dreams and aspirations, often too tender to expose. But, when shared in a fairytale, such ambitions feel real, seem real, without the harsh backlash of literal events.
What is your favorite fairytale? Why does it appeal? Some may choose classic tales, like Sleeping Beauty. I loved this story best before I started dating. In the Disney movie, the princess is dancing alone in the forest, until the prince steps into place, dances his way into her heart then walks her to the edge of a cliff as the sun is setting.
Taking her in his arms, he says, “I love you! What’s your name?”
For a poetic young girl, reality was a harsh awakening when compared with such blatant romance. I still adore Sleeping Beauty, but get a bigger kick out of The Paper Bag Princess. In this charming modern fairytale, a princess falls in love with a handsome prince, but a dragon comes and burns up her castle and carries him away. There is nothing left for the poor princess to wear except an old, ashy paper bag. But, she dons this unusual garment and hunts down the dragon, freeing the prince from his deadly prison. “What are you doing dressed in an old ugly paper bag?” the prince asks, imperiously. Immediately, the scales fall from the princess’s eyes. She no longer wants to marry the prince and chooses to do something more fulfilling, instead.
Your emotional reaction to these two fairytales reveals a lot about you…and what you feel most attracted to write about. Gently, tenderly, review your favorite fairytales. Think about what you love most about the stories you cherish. Then, add such elements to your next manuscript.
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