It turns out researchers believe the origins of many fairy tales go back thousands of years, long before written history, and were passed down orally for generations. If you look at most classic fairy tales, what you find are cautionary tales--don't travel through the woods alone, don't take candy from strangers, look past appearance (both good and bad) to the heart of people, and, of course, never trust a step mother.
Just kidding about that last one. However, human nature being what it is, most people don't like to be preached at. So is the moral of the story what draws us? Or is it something else?
Most fairy tales involve a magical or mystical element or folkloric fantasy creatures like dwarves, dragons, fairies, and so forth. Perhaps it's that which captures our imagination. In more modern times, we've altered the endings so that most fairy tales have a happily ever after aspect to them. (Don't even get me started on The Little Mermaid.). So maybe that's it?
All I can say is that, personally, for me it's all of the above. I'm a paranormal romance writer--so magic, fantasy, and romance, combined with a positive message or something that we can all related to, and, of course, the HEA, and you've totally got me hooked.
What about you? Do you love fairy tales? I'd love to hear your thoughts!
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If you're a lover of fairy tales and legends, I have a new release coming January 29th (on preorder now) that I think you'll love!Co-written with USA Today Bestselling author Nicole Flockton!
Modern-day King Arthur meets Snow White for a surprising happily ever after in this magical mash-up of legends and fairy tales.
5 comments:
Even though I haven't used fairy tales in my stories, I love them. Mythology, too. Congrats on your upcoming release!
I've always loved the magic in fairy tales, something to drag me out of the mundane. And happy endings are always great, although some of those earlier fairy tales definitely didn't promise happily ever afters. :) Congrats on the upcoming release!
I always thought fairy tales were gruesome. Same with some of the nursery rhymes (Rock a Bye, Baby) But, the magic is fun, and the happy-ever-afters are great, too. Wishing you much success with your new release.
I think perhaps fairy tales were a way to hide the horror of the world in magic and fantasy. To make them more palatable. Congrats on the release!
Thanks ladies! I agree. Many of those early fairy tales are definitely gruesome (eating children, ugh). I do confess to preferring the lighter happier versions of the modern era. :) But the magic and the escapism are the best.
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