How to Write a Fairy Tale Retelling

That Isn't a Copy of the Original

Fairy tale retellings can be used to reach readers of all ages. From dark and gritty reimaginings to romantic adventures, these stories offer a unique opportunity to take something familiar and transform it into something entirely your own. But how do you craft a retelling that feels both nostalgic and original?

1. Choose Your Core Tale Wisely

Start by selecting a fairy tale that speaks to you—one that sparks your imagination or contains themes you want to explore. While popular choices like Cinderella or Beauty and the Beast are fair game, don’t overlook lesser-known tales such as The Twelve Dancing Princesses. A lesser-known source can give your story a fresh angle right from the start.

2. Decide What to Keep, Twist, or Toss

Retellings thrive on both familiarity and surprise. Identify the key elements of the original story like iconic moments, magical objects, and core conflicts, and decide what to:

• Keep: What’s essential for readers to recognize the original?

• Twist: Can a character change roles? Could the setting be transformed? What happens if the villain becomes the protagonist?

• Toss: Don’t be afraid to remove outdated tropes or problematic elements that don’t serve your story.

3. Build a Unique, Vivid Setting

The setting is where your retelling can truly shine. Reimagine the story in a completely different world:

• A cyberpunk version of Rapunzel

• A 1920s noir Red Riding Hood

• A post-apocalyptic Sleeping Beauty

You might also draw on different cultures and folklore—just be sure to do thorough research and approach with respect. The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer are an excellent example of retellings in a new setting.

4. Deepen the Characters

Traditional fairy tale characters are often one-dimensional. Give yours rich inner lives and clear motivations:

• Why did the wicked stepmother become bitter?

• What does the prince truly fear?

• What does the “heroine” actually want, beyond a happily ever after?

When characters have agency and depth, readers become more invested.

5. Raise the Stakes

The original tales often have simple goals: find true love, break the curse, defeat the villain. In your version, raise the emotional and narrative stakes:

• What if saving one person dooms another?

• What if the curse has unforeseen consequences?

• What if the character wants the curse?

Make your characters’ decisions matter.

6. Explore Deeper Themes

Fairy tales often contain potent themes: power, identity, love, justice, sacrifice. Your retelling can use the original as a jumping-off point to explore those ideas more deeply. Consider:

• Who holds the power in this world, and why?

• What does transformation really mean?

• What does the “happy ending” cost?

7. Play with Subversion and Easter Eggs

Readers love recognizing references to the original story. Use these touchstones wisely, but don’t be afraid to subvert them:

• What if the Beast doesn’t want to become human?

• What if Sleeping Beauty cursed herself, on purpose?

These twists create tension and surprise while honoring the original.

8. Know Your Audience and Tone

Is your story light and whimsical, dark and gothic, or sweeping and romantic? Choose a tone that fits the emotional journey of your characters and the themes you’re exploring.

Also consider your target reader:

• Middle Grade: Focus on coming-of-age themes, friendships, and adventure.

• Young Adult: Explore identity, rebellion, and emotional growth.

• Adult: Discuss moral complexity, romance, loss, or redemption.

9. Blend Familiarity with Originality

The best retellings strike a balance. Give readers enough familiarity to ground them, but infuse your version with new twists, fresh themes, and unexpected character arcs.

Ask yourself: What makes this version mine? What do I want to say through this story that wasn’t said before?

10. Read Other Retellings

Before you dive in, read widely in the genre. Study popular and lesser-known retellings to understand what’s already been done and what still feels fresh. A few great examples include:

• Cinder by Marissa Meyer (sci-fi Cinderella) (the entire series is brilliant!)

• Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik (dark, folkloric Rumpelstiltskin)

• A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer (modernized Beauty and the Beast)

This research can spark ideas and help you carve out your own voice in the retelling space.

Final Thoughts

A great fairy tale retelling doesn’t just update the surface. It reimagines the heart of the story. With careful attention to theme, character, and worldbuilding, you can create a retelling that feels both timeless and completely new.

Let the magic begin!