How to Start a Fractured Fairytale

Have you ever wondered if you could make an old tale sparkle in a new way? Have you ever wanted to transform yet honor such a tale? 

I have, so I studied how to write a fractured tale, which is a retelling of a fable, fairy tale, or nursery rhyme in a fresh way. This story type blends creativity and nostalgia as well as tradition and modernity. The end result is a spellbinding story for readers of all ages!

After years of brainstorming, writing, and revising, my brother and I submitted “The Runaway Toilet Paper,” a humorous Halloween reimagining of “The Runaway Pancake” and “The Gingerbread Man.” I was thrilled when Starspun Lit accepted our story for publication in its Halloween Special Edition 2025.

While writing a fractured tale may not be as easy as saying “abracadabra” or waving a magic wand, I have a few tips for getting started.

1. Read a wide variety of contemporary reimaginings of fairy tales and nursery rhymes. Some of my favorite examples are Sue Fliess’s “The Princess and the Petri Dish,” Tara Lazar’s “Little Red Gliding Hood,” Dan Santat’s “After the Fall (How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again),” and Tammi Sauer’s “Mary Had a Little Glam.”

2. Think about how you can add your unique spin to a familiar story in the public domain. The public domain includes creative works that are not protected by copyright law. In other words, these works can be freely used. Do you want to switch the story’s point of view or setting (time and place)? Do you want to change the main character’s background, gender, or occupation? Do you want to alter the ending? Do you want to pick up years after the story ended? Do you want to mash up stories or genres? Do you want to convey a new message?

3. Acknowledge the original story. Can you keep the spirit of the original story’s title but change a word or two? Can you keep the spirit of the original story’s refrain but update the word choice and sentence structure?

I hope that these ideas may support your writing endeavors. I know firsthand that the path to publication can be confusing and even frustrating at times, so sharing insights and encouragement is helpful. Undoubtedly, composing a fractured tale takes diligence and patience, but seeing it resonate with a reader is nothing short of magical.