Reimagine the Stories the World Already Knows
What if the Big Bad Wolf wasn't the villain?
What if Cinderella lived in a cyberpunk city?
What if Medusa was the heroine?
What if King Arthur returned in modern-day Washington, D.C.?
Stories based on fairy tales, myths, and legends have captivated readers for generations. From Wicked to countless retellings of Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, Hades and Persephone, Robin Hood, and Arthurian legends, writers continue to discover new ways to breathe fresh life into timeless tales.
In Writing Fractured Fairy Tales, you'll learn how to transform familiar stories into something uniquely your own. Whether you want to tell a classic tale from the antagonist's point of view, move the story to a different time period, blend genres, challenge assumptions, or create an entirely new interpretation, this workshop will give you the tools to do it.
This workshop is designed for fiction writers of all genres, including fantasy, science fiction, romance, mystery, suspense, horror, historical fiction, and young adult fiction.
By the End of This Workshop, You'll Have:
✔ A deeper understanding of fairy tales, myths, and legends
✔ Techniques for transforming classic stories into original fiction
✔ A toolkit of creative approaches for retelling familiar tales
✔ A completed story project or substantial work-in-progress
✔ Ideas for future fractured fairy tale stories
Perfect For Writers Who Love:
- Fairy tale retellings
- Mythological fiction
- Arthurian legends
- Folklore-inspired stories
- Fantasy and urban fantasy
- Romance retellings
- Dark fairy tales
- Historical reimaginings
- Science fiction adaptations of classic stories
The Story Has Been Told Before.
Now it's your turn to tell it differently.
Imagine Writing...
- A cyberpunk Cinderella battling corporate tyranny
- A romantic suspense version of Little Red Riding Hood
- A mystery where Snow White investigates her own attempted murder
- A space opera inspired by King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table
- A horror retelling of Hansel and Gretel
- A contemporary romance based on Beauty and the Beast
- Medusa's story told from her point of view
- A gender-swapped Robin Hood legend.
Join us for Writing Fractured Fairy Tales and discover how to transform familiar stories into unforgettable fiction.
Workshop starts Monday, July 6, 2026.
What You'll Learn
Week 1: Understanding the Originals
Lesson 1: What Is a Fractured Fairy Tale? Understanding the Originals
- What makes a story recognizable as a fairy tale, myth, or legend
- Common themes, archetypes, and story structures
- How successful retellings honor the source while creating something new
Lesson 2: Why Fracture the Tale? Choosing Your Source
- Selecting the right tale for your project
- Finding stories with strong creative potential
- Identifying the elements you want to preserve, alter, or challenge
Week 1 Story Project
- Begin developing your own fractured tale
Week 2: Changing the Story
Lesson 3: Playing with POV; Twisting Time and Place
- Tell the story from a different character's perspective
- Move the tale into a new historical period or modern setting
- Explore how changing context transforms meaning
Lesson 4: Rewriting Roles; Blending Genres
- Swap heroes and villains
- Reinvent character motivations
- Blend fairy tales with mystery, romance, horror, science fiction, urban fantasy, and more
Week 2 Story Project
- Create and expand your fractured tale concept
Week 3: Deepening the Magic
Lesson 5: Voice and Tone in Fractured Tales; Themes Reimagined
- Develop a unique narrative voice
- Explore darker, lighter, humorous, romantic, or suspenseful approaches
- Reimagine themes for contemporary audiences
Lesson 6: Building New Conflicts; Magical Systems and Logic
- Create compelling stakes and tension
- Design magical systems that support your story
- Build worlds that feel fresh and believable
Week 3 Story Project
- Draft key scenes from your fractured tale
Week 4: Creating Your Own Signature Retelling
Lesson 7: Culturally Inclusive Retellings; Dialogue Between Past and Present
- Approach retellings with thoughtfulness and respect
- Explore diverse cultural influences
- Connect ancient stories to modern concerns
Lesson 8: Crafting Your Own Fractured Tale; Sharing and Reflecting
- Bring all the pieces together
- Refine your concept and story
- Identify future directions for your project
Week 4 Story Project
- Complete a polished fractured tale or detailed story plan