History, Wonder Tales, Fairy Tales, Myths and Legends How to Write A Good Fairy Tale | Page 9

HOW TO WRITE A FAIRY TALE
To help students plan for writing of narratives, model, focusing on:
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Plot: What is going to happen?
Setting: Where will the story take place? When will the story take place?
Characterisation: Who are the main characters? What do they look like?
Structure: How will the story begin? What will be the problem? How is the
problem going to be resolved?
Theme: What is the theme / message the writer is attempting to communicate?

Step1: THE MORAL LESSON
Decide what lesson your fairytale is going to teach before you write it. At their core fairy tales
are morality tales from the horror of stepmothers to not talking to strangers. They are
generally teaching something and yours should do the same.
Step2: THE GOOD CHARACTER
Create a good character. A fairytale needs someone to root for. They don't have to be
perfect. Just think Jack in "Jack and the Beanstalk" or Red in "Little Red Riding Hood" but
your readers should like them and want them to succeed.
Because of the universal character of fairy tales, characters are often nameless: "the
youngest son"… You can also use self-explanatory names like Cinderella, or frequent ones:
Hans, Ivan)
The typical hero/heroine is young; in the beginning often poor, all alone, unhappy, humble,
simple, naïve, untainted (can recognize wonder signs), believes in the miraculous & reveres
nature. (S)he wants to keep the process of natural change flowing and reach happiness.
At the end: respected, powerful, has found happiness

Step3: THE BADDIES
Devise one or more enemies: evil characters, like witches or dragons.
A fairytale must have an evil character that works as an antagonist to the good character.
The evil characters usually have special powers of some sort and they must use those
powers in a way to cause the good character pain.
use words & power to exploit, control, transfix, incarcerate,
and destroy, intentionally for personal benefit
No respect or consideration for nature & other humans
Seek to abuse magic (for personal gain)