Before you attempt to write a fairy tale -- or as a break when working on one -- try reading a few classic fairy tales, like “Snow White” or “Cinderella.” Even picture books with a fairy tale theme can be useful. Pay attention to what these timeless stories have in common, which may help you decide what to include in your own fairy tale. Analyzing existing fairy tales can also help you in creating a successful structure for your story, since the structure used in the first fairy tale you read will often be repeated in several others.
If you’re looking for content for your fairy tale, make a list of all the common elements that appear across many genre texts. For example, fairy tales generally feature a hero or heroine, so decide what your hero and heroine will be like. The protagonist should have a nemesis for him to struggle against, and this often forms the basis of the story’s plot. This evil could be a sorcerer, an ogre or a dragon, for instance. Add magic, too, found in enchanted swords and curses, for instance. You’ll want a satisfying ending, too — many fairy tales end in characters getting married, resulting in the common happily ever after ending.
Where and when you set your fairy tale can have a major effect on its plot and the ideas found within. Sometimes a traditional setting can work well. You could, for example, set your story in a castle or magical forest. Putting a fresh twist on the traditional can add impact, too. So your castle might hover in the sky, or your forest could be located under the sea. The time period in which your fairy tale takes place is equally important. Consider a fairy tale based in Victorian England, or perhaps a story rooted in the prehistoric era.
Most fairy tales contain a message for the reader. Typically, this message contains a lesson about how to be a better person. The message might involve the virtue of being selfless, perhaps, or teach the reader about why it’s important to help other people. This message often forms the core of the story, and influences the plot. If you’re stuck for ideas, ask yourself what your tale’s message is and work from there.