Writing for maximum creativity: Do you think you are creative? Try this!

retell a story

An online survey was conducted to determine the most popular fairy tales of all time. You are familiar with all the winners. They are some of your favorites and mine. But let’s show some creativity, shall we? How about some plot twists to make the story less predictable? How about a unique twist or change to the ending, characters, intent, personality, or plot? It’s been done before. For example, “Little Red Riding Hood,” first published in 1697 by Charles Perrault as a warning to the wandering ladies of Louis XIV’s court, has undergone a number of metamorphoses, including one by the Brothers Grimm in 1812, before reaching to your present. daytime version. So pick one, two or more, put on your thinking (and writing) cap, unleash your muse and allow your creativity to reign supreme. Why are HC Anderson, Mother G., that Barrie guy, and those Grimm brothers having all the fun?

Little Red Riding Hood

Why was “Red” really on his way to Grandma’s house? Or was it his grandmother’s house that he was on his way to? Who (or what) is the “wolf”? Why is he set to “Red”? What is really going on? Tell me why I couldn’t tell the difference between Grandma and the wolf at 100 meters. Let the lion (or the wolf) tame. Is “Red” an animal lover? Is she a “fox”? If so, what happens when the “cunning” Little Red Hood meets Wolfie? What, please tell me, do we do with the wolf? You’re not going to, (gulp!) KILL HIM, are you? The SPCA might give you a problem about it.

Goldilocks and the three bears

Hey, what was “Goldie” doing in the woods? And alone too? Where did the bear family go? Excuse me, but last time I checked, bears don’t eat porridge! So what do you do with an intruder you catch in your house who has already trashed the place anyway? How about a quirky, funny, or humorous ending here? Is it time to add a player? Do you feel hungry? There’s still some mush left.

The three Little Pigs

Give me a break! Pigs don’t live in houses, they live in a pigsty. Have you ever smelled one of those? I’m telling you, he’ll take your ham and pork chops away forever. Anyway, how come Wolfie doesn’t notice? Have you seen the commercial where he appears in house number three with a bulldozer? By the way, is this wolf the same one that has been bothering the redhead? Didn’t we get rid of that hairy bastard in another story? Maybe they are twins or another family member has come? Well, anyway, YOU figure it out. I’m going to go have some porridge – oops! wrong story. I’m sorry.

Peter Pan

Does no one have a problem with a kid who never makes it out of sixth grade? Why don’t you kill that crocodile? (Didn’t anyone see “Jaws”?) If you can fly, why stay on an island? Paris in spring is nice, but in winter it’s the pits. That’s when I would try Buenos Aires. How and what do these “boys” eat? And if Wendy is the only girl among all those “lost boys”, I can see some trouble coming up. What if Peter took a wrong turn and ended up in Kabul, Amsterdam, or the South Bronx? Oh!

Cinderella

This one has been redone a bunch of times already, but they haven’t gotten it right yet! Surely you can put in a couple of nice plot twists and a surprise ending that will keep readers on their toes. My Fairy Godmother grants me a “wish” and you think I’m going to ask for clothes? Out of here! I can think of a few other things to wish for under those conditions. Man, what could Alfred Hitchcock do with a plot like that! He would make Cindy take charge of her situation in very “special” ways. And you? What would YOU make Cindy do? My devious mind is already saving ideas for that “stepmother” and her giblets. (Pun intended – No, stop!)

Snow White and the Seven Dwarves

Now we all know that child protective services, civil rights advocates, the ACLU, the NAACP, labor unions, Amnesty International, the FBI, the CIA, and a host of other government, religious, and private agencies would have a field day with this one. This story would certainly be a challenge to work on. Let’s see, a comedy twist, location change, plot change, maybe a ticklish murder mystery? (Has anyone seen or heard of “Sneezy” lately?) How about a “gangster” cover called “Get Grumpy”? The possibilities boggle the mind. Why don’t you give a stab (pun intended) to this story?

What will it be then? Humorous, mystery, adult, crime, sci-fi, western, drama, bizarre, outlandish or even crude, pure naked horror you like? Create your own alternate version of fractured fairy tale. Not only will it be a challenge and loads of fun, but an immeasurable boost to your creativity as you weave, prance, shoot, stab, stumble, hatch, neigh, and twist your way through as-yet-uncharted territory—for you. Fractured versions of fairy tales abound online (don’t look now!), but whip up and work with your muse to develop new varieties of tired old themes. Let me know how it went. (Wow, no pun intended)