Fairy tales surround us from a very early age. Whether we read them or watch them on the screen they are part of our culture and, as the huge popularity of Frozen and remakes such as Cinderella attest, are likely to remain so.
Some Kind of Woner
But the fairy tales of my childhood, while holding a nostalgic spot in my heart, have little relevance to a modern society, or to a dating world of today that includes Tinder and online dating. Cinderella might have turned out quite differently with a mobile phone in hand! So here's why I love to read, and write, modern-day fairy tales:
Sometimes, we just need a happy ending.
I love to read all kinds of books, but the great comfort with reading romance or modern-day fairy tales is that you are guaranteed a HEA (Happily Ever After). Knowing that the story will end happily despite all the trials and hardships the characters go through, is uplifting and emotionally satisfying. There are plenty of books out there that deal with reality but, like many of my readers, I have more than enough reality in my life and there are times when I just want my reading to be a happy experience.
Everybody loves a good villain.
Villains are wonderful, whether you're rooting for their downfall as they cackle evilly or whether you're realizing that a villain can be as complex and misunderstood as an anti-hero. See the recent film Maleficent for an example of how we're reclaiming our villains. Complex, dark characters can be fascinating and a reminder that being bad can be a lot more fun than being good!
Bad boys can make good 'princes' too.
Modern romances and fairy-tales expand our definition of Prince Charming. In my latest book, Some Kind of Wonderful, my hero Zach comes from the wrong side of the tracks. He might not seem the most obvious princely material but dig a little deeper and he has plenty of heroic qualities. And who doesn't love a bad boy once in a while?
'Princesses' can rescue themselves and more!
Often we think of Disney princesses as delicate and in need of rescuing. Modern fairy-tales let our princesses have careers, homes of their own, and dreams beyond marriage. My current heroine Brittany, a fiery archaeologist who travels the world, has friendships that sustain her and a whole plan for her life. Love is a welcome and rich addition in her life, but it doesn't define her as a person.
Going beyond 'happily ever after'.
It's traditional to begin a fairy tale with 'Once upon a time' and end with 'and they lived happily ever after', but we all know that reality is often very different and that marriage doesn't end all problems. Modern fairy tales should have some relevance to today's society and in Some Kind of Wonderful Zach and Brittany were married for just ten days before it ended in disaster. The story starts years later, when they meet again. Real relationships need more than a marriage to last forever.
They are updated versions of today's society.
Sometimes 'Prince Charming' is actually another princess, like Neil Gaiman and Chris Riddell's The Sleeper and the Spindle. Life is diverse, and our modern-day fairy tales should reflect that.
The magic of change and transformation
Where children believe in magic, as adults we sometimes lose this sense of wonder. And yet modern-day fairy tales remind us of the magic of transformation; maybe not a frog or beast literally transforming into a prince, but the magic of two people finding a connection and enduring love. Love can change us, and make us stronger and happier.
They can surprise you
Fairy-tales are called 'classics' for a reason. They are well-worn patterns that we love, but modern fairy-tales can offer surprises. Frozen gave us, along with the addictive tune of 'Let it go', a Disney princess who didn't find - or even want - a prince. It was a surprise, and a reminder that fairy tales are also adventure stories and that the heroine's journey isn't all about finding a Prince.
They let us dream
Fairy tales, romance, fantasy - many genres of literature are dismissed as 'pure escapism' but why is escapism a bad thing? Fairy tales, both modern and classic, inspire us to dream and hope. Hope is a powerful motivator, driving both the characters and the reader through the story.
They celebrate the power of imagination
Fairy stories, old or modern, are one of the most creative forms of story telling and a form we've been enjoying for centuries. They should be celebrated!