Retelling a story is an art that requires skill and creativity. Especially when it comes to retelling old tales, it is essential to keep the charm and magic of the original story while adding your own unique twist. In this post, we will explore how you can master the art of retelling and create captivating stories that will keep your readers hooked from the first paragraph to the last.
When writing a retelling, one of the most important things to consider is the setting. The setting of a story can make all the difference in creating a vivid and immersive world for your readers. You can choose to set your retelling in the same place as the original story, or you can place the characters in a completely new and different environment. Either way, make sure to describe the setting in detail, so that your readers can easily imagine themselves in the world you have created.
Another essential element of a retelling is the character. While the protagonist might be the same as in the original story, you have the creative freedom to give them more depth and personality. Think about the motivations and desires of your character and how they will react to the events and challenges in your retelling. You can even introduce new characters to spice up the story and add new dimensions to the plot.
Themes are what give a story its meaning and resonance, and retellings are no exception. Think about the themes of the original tale and how you can explore and expand upon them in your retelling. Whether it’s love, friendship, or the struggle between good and evil, make sure to infuse your retelling with these universal themes that resonate with people of all ages and backgrounds.
Finally, when writing a retelling, especially for those who are new to this genre, it’s always helpful to take inspiration from other retellings. Read retellings of the same tale or retellings in the same genre to see how other authors have approached the task. This will not only give you ideas but also help you understand what works and what doesn’t in retelling a story.
5 Essential Tips To Write A Retelling Like A Pro
Retellings are a popular genre, especially among those who love old tales with a new twist. If you’re an aspiring author or just someone who enjoys writing, retelling a familiar story can be a great way to tap into your creativity. Here are 5 essential tips to help you write a retelling like a pro:
- Choose the right tale: When selecting a tale to retell, consider the themes and characters that resonate with you. Pick a story that you are passionate about, and this will make the writing process more enjoyable.
- Put your own spin: Don’t be afraid to put your unique twist on the retelling. Make the story your own by adding new settings, characters, or changing the outcome. This will make your retelling stand out from the rest.
- Keep the essence: While adding your own elements, make sure you keep the essence of the original tale intact. Stay true to the themes and the main character’s journey. This will help readers connect with your retelling.
- Research and take inspiration: Read and watch different retellings to get a sense of how other authors have approached the genre. Take inspiration from their work and learn from their techniques. This will help you develop your own unique writing style.
- Edit and revise: After completing your retelling, don’t forget to edit and revise your work. Polish your story to make it the best it can be. Pay attention to details, plot consistency, and character development. This will ensure that readers are captivated by your retelling.
Writing a retelling may seem daunting at first, but with these 5 essential tips, you can write a retelling like a pro. Remember to choose a tale you’re passionate about, put your own spin on it, stay true to the essence of the original story, take inspiration from other retellings, and edit your work to perfection. Happy retelling!
How Do I Retell an Old Story in a New Way
Retelling an old story in a new way can be a challenging task, but with some tips and creativity, you can breathe fresh life into a familiar tale. Whether you’re an aspiring author looking to write a retelling or simply a fan of retellings, here are some essential guidelines to ensure your retelling stands out in the genre.
1. Choose a Different Perspective: One way to make your retelling unique is to tell the story from a different character’s point of view. By focusing on a secondary character or even the antagonist, you can provide readers with a fresh take on the original tale.
2. Change the Setting: Transporting the story to a new time or place can help you create a unique atmosphere and add unexpected elements. Consider how the new setting can impact the characters and the events that unfold.
3. Develop Complex Characters: Instead of relying on the same archetypes as the original story, delve deeper into the personalities and motivations of your characters. Make them more relatable and give them their own unique arcs.
4. Explore Different Themes: Look beyond the central theme of the original story and explore new themes that resonate with modern readers. These themes can be about societal issues, personal growth, or any relevant topic that adds depth to your retelling.
5. Add a Twist: To make your retelling stand out, introduce a surprising twist that deviates from the original tale. This unexpected element will keep readers engaged and curious about how the story will unfold.
6. Research and Use Sources: Familiarize yourself with the original story and any existing retellings of it. Use these sources as inspiration and references to ensure your retelling offers a fresh perspective and adds something new to the genre.
7. Be Proactive and Engage with the Readers: Writing a retelling requires you to take an active stance. Interact with your readers through social media, blog posts, or book signings. Listen to their feedback and incorporate elements that resonate with them.
8. Maintain the Essence of the Original Story: While you’re adding your own unique elements, it’s important to retain the core essence of the original story. This can be the central conflict, the most iconic scenes, or the happily-ever-after ending that readers expect from the tale.
By following these tips, you can create a retelling that captures the hearts of readers and stands apart from the numerous retellings already out there. Whether you’re retelling a classic fairy tale or a well-known myth, a new way of looking at these familiar stories will leave a lasting impression.
Theme
In retellings, the theme is the central message or lesson that the author wants to convey to the readers. It is the underlying idea that ties the story together and gives it meaning. Themes can vary widely, but they often focus on universal human experiences, such as love, friendship, or the struggle between good and evil.
When writing a retelling, it is essential to identify the theme of the original tale and decide how you will incorporate it into your own story. Some retellings keep the theme the same as the original, while others may take a different approach and explore a new theme. Either way, the theme should be clear and evident to readers through the characters, setting, and events in the retelling.
One way to determine the theme of a story is to think about the lessons or messages that the original tale conveys. What do the characters learn? How do they grow or change? What moral or ethical dilemmas do they face? These can give you clues about the theme of the original tale and help you shape the theme of your retelling.
For example, if you’re retelling a classic fairy tale such as “Cinderella,” the theme could be about the power of kindness or the triumph of good over evil. You could then focus on these themes in your retelling by emphasizing the importance of kindness and the rewards it brings.
It’s important to note that retellings are not limited to fairy tales. You can retell stories from any genre or time period, including myths, legends, or even modern novels. The theme will vary depending on the genre and the original story, but the essential elements of retelling a theme remain the same.
In conclusion, when writing a retelling, identifying the theme is an essential step. It helps you maintain the essence of the original tale while adding your unique twist. By keeping the theme in mind, you can create a retelling that appeals to both fans of the original story and new readers alike.
And They All Wrote Happily Ever After
When it comes to writing retellings, there are many different approaches an author can take. Some prefer to stick closely to the original tale, while others like to put their own spin on things. No matter what approach you choose, it’s important to keep the theme and the essential elements of the story intact.
One of the most important things to consider when writing a retelling is the setting. The setting can take on a whole new life and add depth to the story. For example, if you’re retelling a fairy tale like “Cinderella,” you could set it in a modern-day city or in a futuristic dystopian society. The setting you choose will greatly impact the mood and tone of your retelling.
Another important aspect to consider is the characters. Retellings give authors the opportunity to delve deeper into the minds and motivations of the characters. You can explore their backstories, give them new goals, or even switch up the roles of the characters. By doing this, you can breathe new life into old characters and make them feel fresh and exciting.
When writing a retelling, it’s also important to think about the theme of the original tale and how you can expand on it or give it a new twist. For example, if the original tale had a theme of overcoming adversity, you could explore different ways in which the characters have to overcome obstacles to achieve their goals.
Retellings are a great way to introduce a new generation to old tales. By putting a modern spin on these classic stories, you can make them more relatable to today’s readers. It’s also a way to breathe new life into a familiar tale and keep it relevant in the present day.
Tips for Writing a Retelling:
- Do your research: Read the original tale and any other retellings or adaptations that have been done. This will give you a good understanding of the story and help you figure out what you want to do differently.
- Keep the core elements: While you can make changes and put your own spin on things, it’s important to keep the core elements of the story intact. These are what make the tale recognizable and relatable.
- Focus on character development: Use the opportunity to explore the characters in more depth. Give them new motivations, backstories, and goals to make them more dynamic and interesting.
- Experiment with different settings: Don’t be afraid to change up the setting of the story. This can add a whole new dimension to the retelling and make it feel fresh and exciting.
- Have a clear theme: Decide on a theme or message that you want to explore in your retelling. This will give your story direction and make it more engaging for readers.
Retellings can be a challenging but rewarding genre to explore as a writer. Whether you’re retelling an old tale or putting a new twist on a familiar story, the key is to stay true to the essence of the original while adding your own unique voice and perspective. With these tips and a little creativity, you can write a retelling that will captivate readers and leave them wanting more.
About the Author Charis Negley
Charis Negley is an author who has written 5 retellings of classic tales. She has a pro pen for retelling old stories in new and different ways, taking them to new settings and themes. Charis Negley knows how to keep things interesting by adding her own unique twist to each retelling.
When you read one of Charis Negley’s retellings, you can expect to be taken on a journey to a whole new place and time. She does an amazing job at setting the scene and making you feel like you’re right there in the story. Her attention to detail and ability to bring characters to life is what makes her retellings so captivating.
One of the essential things Charis Negley does when writing a retelling is to figure out the theme or message she wants to convey. She believes that retellings should not only entertain, but also make people think. She chooses themes that resonate with a wide range of readers, especially those who are looking for a fresh take on a familiar tale.
Charis Negley also believes that the characters in a retelling should have depth and be relatable. She often adds new layers to old characters or introduces new ones to the story. This helps to keep the retelling engaging and adds a new perspective to the tale.
One of the tips Charis Negley suggests for anyone looking to write a retelling is to do your research. Reading multiple versions of the original story, as well as other retellings, can give you a good sense of what has already been done and help you find your own unique voice.
Charis Negley’s love for retellings started at a young age, and she has been writing them ever since. She enjoys the challenge of taking a well-known story and putting her own spin on it. Charis Negley’s goal is to entertain and inspire readers with her retellings, and she hopes that they will leave her books feeling happily ever after.
For more information about the author, you can visit Charis Negley’s website or follow her on social media.
Sources
When it comes to writing retellings, there are several sources you can draw inspiration from. Here are 5 essential sources:
1. Old Tales: The most obvious and traditional source for retellings is old fairy tales and folktales. These stories like Cinderella or Red Riding Hood have been told and retold for generations, and their themes and characters have become deeply ingrained in our cultural consciousness.
2. Books: Another great source of inspiration for retellings is other books within the same genre. If you’re writing a retelling of a fantasy novel, for example, you might take inspiration from other fantasy novels and incorporate elements from their settings or themes into your own story.
3. Movies and TV shows: Retellings are not limited to just books; you can also draw inspiration from movies and TV shows. Many movies and TV shows have adopted the fairy tale format in their own way, such as the post-apocalyptic setting of “The Hunger Games” or the modern twist on classic characters like in “Once Upon a Time.”
4. History and Mythology: Historical events and mythical stories can also be great sources for retellings. Taking an event or figure from history and reimagining it in a new context can create a compelling and unique retelling. Similarly, drawing inspiration from ancient myths and legends can add depth and richness to your retelling.
5. Personal Experiences: Finally, don’t underestimate the power of your own personal experiences. You can draw inspiration from the places you’ve been, the people you’ve met, and the things you’ve observed. Your unique perspective can bring a fresh and original take to a retelling.
When writing a retelling, keep in mind that while these sources provide inspiration, it’s important to put your own unique twist on the story. Pay attention to the themes and settings that resonate with you, and find a way to retell the tale that feels true to your own voice and vision as an author.
