How to Write a Fairy Tale

1. Choose a moral for your fairy tale.

Every fairy tale has a lesson that the reader can learn from it. For instance, Cinderella teaches us to treat others with kindness regardless of how they treat us. Her kind nature helps her win the prince's heart and live happily ever after. You can find more examples of morals in Aesop's fables, which offer valuable life lessons.

2. Create your protagonist.

Your main character should be relatable and have the potential to transform. They could possess kindness, humility, innocence, or a kind heart. Think of characters like Jack from Jack and the Beanstalk or Snow White.

3. Create your antagonist.

A fairy tale without a villain would be dull. Create an evil character to challenge your hero and cause them some trouble. Villains typically create conflict by preventing the hero from achieving their goals or causing harm. Examples include the Big Bad Wolf, Cinderella's stepmother, and the evil queen.

4. Incorporate magical elements.

Magic is a crucial element in fairy tales. It guides your hero and helps them reach their happy ending. Use the "What if" technique to create magical elements, such as a talking teapot or a cat with magical powers. In a fairy tale, even ordinary objects can have magical properties.

5. Set the scene.

Different backgrounds can create different moods in your fairy tale. For example, a cozy cottage in the forest can evoke a warm, inviting feeling, while a gloomy castle can set a dark, gothic tone. Common fairy tale settings include an enchanted forest or a royal palace. You can also choose to set your fairy tale in a different period or future.

6. Craft a happy ending.

All fairy tales end happily, so yours should too. Think about how the conflict is resolved or how the villain is defeated. For example, in Cinderella, the glass slipper fits her foot, and in The Ugly Duckling, the duckling transforms into a beautiful swan.

Teach Your Children How They Can Write a Captivating Fairy Tale

Children in their early years should be encouraged to create a colorful story with unique characters to cultivate their imagination. As they mature, they can learn conventional writing techniques, improve their stories' appeal, and format them correctly. These steps are critical to crafting an enchanting fairy tale or any written piece.

Preparation Before embarking on writing, students should brainstorm and outline their story ideas. There are various ways to do this, including using Twinkl's story planning worksheets or visually mapping out ideas with drawings or a mind map.

Writing & Revision After the initial drafting phase, provide feedback to the students and have them make necessary changes and improvements. They can also swap stories with classmates for peer review and further enhancement.

Editing & Proofreading Allow students to revise and perfect their work to the best of their ability. They should also pay attention to any grammatical and spelling errors they may have made.

Some of The traditional fairy tale characters You Probably Want to Know

Fairy tales are populated by various characters, each with unique qualities and roles. While some of the most common characters are the prince and princess and the witch or other antagonists, there is still plenty of room for diversity and different types of heroism. Some fairy tales even feature the princess as the one who saves the prince in the end!

The witch is a recurring character in many fairy tales, taking on various forms and often serving as an obstacle to the protagonists. This character is sometimes intertwined with the figure of the wicked stepmother, highlighting societal fears about maternal figures. However, the magical helper is another character who plays an important role in many stories, aiding the protagonists in overcoming obstacles and bringing magic to the genre.

Despite the conventional nature of some fairy tale characters, there is still room for a wide range of heroism and character types. From vulnerable heroism to brash, sword-wielding heroism, fairy tales present diverse characters and stories. These tales can even serve as a means of exploring and overcoming societal fears and anxieties.