Fresh Fiction Blog | Serena Chase | The Formula for a Fairy Tale

Have you noticed how fairy tales are simply everywhere lately? Humankind just can't seem to quench their desire for the sort of escape fairy tales provide. We find them in films such as Snow White & the Huntsman and Jack the Giant Slayer, on television shows like Grimm and Once Upon a Time, or in a books, such as my debut fantasy, THE RYN, and its sequel, THE REMEDY. What keeps these old familiar stories so fresh in our imaginations? What makes us so willing to spend our hard-earned money to see or read the next version of something so very "done?"

To answer those questions, we have to look at the antique tomes from whence these stories came and acknowledge which of the many beautiful and sordid stories stuck a chord that lingered.

Older versions of fairy tales are often rife with frightening imagery, brutal violence, and main characters whose ends are often worse than their beginnings. In many cases, these old tales exacted quite a high price in order for the hero or heroine to reach even a mildly happy ending— if a happy ending was allowed at all. But are those brutal and violent, or sad and defeatist tales the stories we best remember?

No. They are not.

Anything from a biographical exposé to an athlete's rise to stardom can be referred to as "a Cinderella story." We recognize the reference because, even without a wedding, we know that some sort of romantic ideal has been achieved. And we love it. Our hearts have been captured by stories with resounding victories. We simply adore a good-wins-against-all-odds story, especially if it results in a wedding (or its metaphorical equivalent) at the end.

In fiction, critics may refer to this sort of plot as a "formula"—and perhaps it is. But there is a reason people patent formulas, isn't there? Formulas are patented because maybe, just maybe, someone has found something so earthshatteringly awesome that the world simply cannot do without it.

As authors, readers, and human beings who long to be victorious over the darkness both without and within, we are excessively blessed by what fairy tales have given society as a whole. Perhaps English writer, philosopher, and poet G.K. Chesterton said it best: "Fairytales are more than true; not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten."

We can't help ourselves: we want to win. And we can win, within the constructs of a fairy tale. Regardless of whatever tragic, comic, or romantic leanings a particular story may contain, fairy tales serve as a most pleasing escape for readers—and an entirely fertile compost from which a fiction author can dust off the old tales, twist them about a bit, and freshen them up for a new audience.

Told as romantic fantasy, the Eyes of E'veria series has an epic scope that stretches one fairy tale across two novels. THE RYN and THE REMEDY, released in March and April of 2013, respectively, are based on a less-familiar Grimm tale, Snow White & Rose Red (not to be confused with Snow White, an entirely different story.) And while there are touches of the Grimm tale throughout, like many authors who find their inspiration in the revamping of tales-already-told, I changed things up a bit. I switched around some power-roles, expanded the fantasy world, and upped the stakes from being quite individual in nature (as most classic fairy tales tend to be) to having the outcome decide the survival of an entire Kingdom. Additionally, because this is, of course, a fairy tale, the heroine garners a portion of her strength from the love she discovers along the way.

Though not everything I write has such blatant a foundation in fairy tales as the Eyes of E'veria series, I cannot foresee a day when some aspect of that "formula" fails to superimpose itself over the stories I create. It's who I am as an author and as a woman.

If you listen closely, you'll hear the world crying out for a happily ever after. As an author, I'm determined to help others close the distance between themselves and that elusive ideal, through fiction. As long as there are hearts beating within the chests of humankind, the fairy tale formula will continue to be resurrected, reinvented, refreshed and released into our hands. Long may it reign.

Comment to win

The Ryn
Eyes of E’veria
#1.0
March 2013

The Remedy
Eyes of E’veria
#2.0
May 2013

Comments

I think to bring the human touch back into life vs all this online interaction, call center and robotic service we are all trying to make our lives a bit more romantic and fairy tales remind us of our youth, romance and open some possibilities.
(Darci Paice 12:43pm June 2, 2013)

Love HEA. Problem is life doesn't always turn out that way. Maybe that's
why we all read them. An escape from our own problems!!!
(Vicki Hancock 1:00pm June 2, 2013)

I like a happliy ever after book and movie.
Cinderella and Snow White classics never go out of style.
Appreciate the giveaway.
(Leona Olson 1:58pm June 2, 2013)

I so enjoyed your post and loved the following-

G.K. Chesterton said it best: "Fairytales are more than true;
not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they
tell us that dragons can be beaten."
(G. Bisbjerg 2:34pm June 2, 2013)

Life doesn't provide HEA like fairy tales. We love fairy tales because they give us hope that we will find true love and live happily ever after. We just see or hear too many negative relationships in today's times that a HEA is very much needed indeed.
(Kai Wong 4:32pm June 2, 2013)

I've always enjoyed fairy tales since I was young. There's something magical and mystical about these stories and they take us on an adventure. Your books look wonderful!
(Linda Luinstra 5:33pm June 2, 2013)

Sounds like some good entertainment! Thanks for the chance to win!
(Sally Hannoush 5:47pm June 2, 2013)

I read romance because of the HEA; though life is not and never will be so obvious, there is still many HEA stories in our hearts!
(Diane Sadler 5:48pm June 2, 2013)

Yes, I too believe that the world is crying out for a happily
ever after. Thank You for helping make our dreams come true
with your books: THE RYN and THE REMEDY. They both sound like
fantastic books to read and win too. Thank You very much.
Cecilia CECE
(Cecilia Dunbar Hernandez 9:03pm June 2, 2013)

A person is never too old to read fairy tales, and I'm glad to see that you're resurrecting some!! I love the fact that you've put a fresh spin on them as well, to bring them up-to-date for adult readers, too!! I had a taste of something similar by Gregory Maguire who put his own spin on the Wizard of Oz characters, as well as the Witches, and it was quite the adventure!! I'm really looking forward to reading what you've done with your books!!
(Peggy Roberson 9:21pm June 2, 2013)

I love happy endings in books because life doesn't always give us happy endings. However people don't have to settle for unhappiness and we decide that things could be better. Books like your help us realize that it is possible.
(Kathleen Yohanna 10:31pm June 2, 2013)

love the cover the book sounds really good love to read it
(Denise Smith 11:55pm June 2, 2013)

Who does love HEA...with my busy life style and little time to read, well I find a story line this this very soothing.
(Bonnie Capuano 8:08am June 3, 2013)

I enjoy reading and buy tons of books for the nook. There is nothing like a hand-held book too.
(Brianna Herrera 11:31am June 3, 2013)

Wanda, Debbie, Terri, Kathleen, Peggy, Cecilia, Mary, Dana,
Denise, Bonnie, Sharon, May, Brianna: thanks so much for
stopping by and commenting!!! I do hope you'll enjoy the
books. Thanks for the sweet compliments, sweet words, and YES,
we are NEVER too old for fairytales!!! ~Serena
(Serena Chase 5:09pm June 3, 2013)

Looking forward to reading these books :) The covers are beautiful.
(Aimee Robison 6:14pm June 3, 2013)

No matter how jaded we become or how many ugly tragedies strike, we all want a happy outcome to every story. I think it's something we hold onto ESPECIALLY in the constantly darkening times we are living in. I can remember when the evening news used to have one feel good story on it and now there doesn't seem to be enough time to touch on all the devastation and destruction surrounding us. Just give me the feel good, happily ever afters and it makes things seem just a little bit brighter.
Good luck and happy writing!
(Tracie Travis 9:15pm June 3, 2013)

The books sound fascinating, would love the chance to win them.
(Christine Schultz 10:39pm June 3, 2013)

Books sounds great, love to win and when done i take them to my local library and donate so many more can enjoy them also...thanks
(Kimberly Hoefs 11:57pm June 3, 2013)

This series is amazing! Everyone needs to read it! :)
(Lisa Medeiros 9:39am June 5, 2013)

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