50 fairy tale retelling writing prompts

Fairy tales have captivated audiences for centuries, their timeless themes and memorable characters sparking the imaginations of readers young and old. In recent years, there has been a surge of interest in reimagining these classic stories, giving them a fresh twist to appeal to modern sensibilities. This list of 50 fairy tale retelling writing prompts is designed to inspire writers to explore new and creative ways to adapt these beloved tales.

From classic stories like Cinderella and Snow White to lesser-known tales like The Juniper Tree and The Red Shoes, these prompts cover a wide range of fairy tales from around the world. Each prompt takes a familiar story and transplants it into a new setting or genre, challenging writers to think outside the box and explore the boundless possibilities of storytelling.

Whether you’re interested in science fiction, horror, romance, or political satire, there’s a prompt on this list that will spark your creativity. Some prompts reimagine fairy tale characters as spies, hackers, or superheroes, while others transpose the stories into dystopian or post-apocalyptic settings. Still others explore the darker aspects of these tales, delving into themes of revenge, obsession, and the consequences of unchecked power.

As you read through these prompts, let your imagination run wild. Consider how you might adapt the characters, settings, and themes of these classic stories to create something entirely new and original. Think about the message you want to convey and the emotions you want to evoke in your readers.

Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just starting out, these fairy tale retelling writing prompts are sure to provide you with plenty of inspiration for your next story. So grab a pen and paper, or open up your favorite writing app, and let these prompts guide you on a journey through the enchanting world of fairy tales. Who knows what kind of magic you might create?

Here are 50 fairy tale retelling writing prompts:

1. Cinderella as a spy who must infiltrate the royal ball to complete a mission.
2. Little Red Riding Hood as a post-apocalyptic survivor in a world overrun by werewolves.
3. Hansel and Gretel as adult siblings who return to the witch’s gingerbread house for revenge.
4. The Little Mermaid as a selkie who falls in love with a human and must choose between land and sea.
5. Rapunzel as a hacker who uses her coding skills to escape from a virtual prison.
6. Snow White as a vampire who must hide her true nature from the seven dwarves.
7. The Pied Piper as a modern-day musician who uses his music to control people’s minds.
8. Goldilocks as a time traveler who stumbles upon the three bears’ house in different eras.
9. Sleeping Beauty as a patient in a coma who must navigate a dangerous dreamworld to wake up.
10. The Three Little Pigs as architects in a world where houses are built to withstand monster attacks.
11. The Gingerbread Man as a robot who becomes self-aware and tries to escape its creator.
12. Jack and the Beanstalk as a space explorer who discovers a giant alien species on a distant planet.
13. The Ugly Duckling as a superhero who embraces their unique powers to save the world.
14. Pinocchio as an android who yearns to become human.
15. The Emperor’s New Clothes as a political satire set in a world where appearance is everything.
16. The Princess and the Pea as a reality TV show where contestants compete for the hand of a prince.
17. The Frog Prince as a scientist who accidentally turns himself into a frog and must find a way to reverse the process.
18. Beauty and the Beast as a romance between two AI programs.
19. Rumpelstiltskin as a lawyer who helps a woman win a custody battle in exchange for her firstborn child.
20. The Pied Piper as a dystopian tale where music is used as a weapon to control the masses.
21. The Snow Queen as an evil queen who uses magic to bring eternal winter to the land.
22. The Little Match Girl as a time traveler who uses matches to glimpse into different eras.
23. The Tortoise and the Hare as a race between a superhero and their nemesis.
24. The Elves and the Shoemaker as a story about a struggling business owner who receives help from unexpected sources.
25. The Steadfast Tin Soldier as a robot soldier who falls in love with a human commander.
26. The Snow Queen as a tale of two sisters with ice powers who must save their kingdom from eternal winter.
27. The Wild Swans as a story about a princess who turns her brothers into swans to protect them from an evil curse.
28. The Goose Girl as a tale of a princess who must disguise herself as a goose girl to escape an arranged marriage.
29. The Juniper Tree as a horror story about a cursed tree that grants wishes with deadly consequences.
30. The Nightingale as a story about an emperor who becomes obsessed with a robotic bird.
31. The Red Shoes as a tale of a cursed pair of shoes that force the wearer to dance until they die.
32. The Little Mermaid as a science fiction story about a mermaid who falls in love with a human astronaut.
33. Hansel and Gretel as a post-apocalyptic tale where food is scarce and cannibalism is rampant.
34. Rapunzel as a story about a girl with magical hair who is trapped in a tower by an evil queen.
35. The Three Billy Goats Gruff as a tale of three brothers who must outsmart a troll to cross a bridge.
36. The Pied Piper as a superhero who uses music to fight crime and save the day.
37. The Snow Queen as a tale of a queen with ice powers who must save her kingdom from a eternal summer.
38. The Ugly Duckling as a story about a misfit who learns to embrace their uniqueness and find their place in the world.
39. The Little Match Girl as a tale of a homeless girl who uses matches to glimpse into a better life.
40. The Frog Prince as a story about a prince who is cursed to live as a frog until he learns to love.
41. Beauty and the Beast as a tale of a girl who falls in love with a beast and helps him break a curse.
42. The Emperor’s New Clothes as a story about a vain emperor who is tricked into wearing invisible clothes.
43. The Little Mermaid as a tale of a mermaid who trades her voice for legs to be with the man she loves.
44. The Gingerbread Man as a story about a living cookie who runs away from those who want to eat him.
45. Jack and the Beanstalk as a tale of a boy who climbs a giant beanstalk and discovers a world of giants.
46. Goldilocks and the Three Bears as a story about a girl who stumbles upon a bear family’s home.
47. The Three Little Pigs as a tale of three pigs who must outsmart a big bad wolf to survive.
48. Sleeping Beauty as a story about a princess who is cursed to sleep for a hundred years.
49. Snow White as a tale of a princess who escapes her evil stepmother and lives with seven dwarves.
50. Cinderella as a story about a girl who attends a royal ball with the help of her fairy godmother.

In conclusion, this list of 50 fairy tale retelling writing prompts is a treasure trove of inspiration for writers looking to put a fresh spin on classic stories. By reimagining these timeless tales in new and unexpected ways, writers can explore a wide range of genres, themes, and emotions, and create stories that resonate with modern audiences.

Whether you’re drawn to the idea of a post-apocalyptic Little Red Riding Hood, a science fiction twist on The Little Mermaid, or a political satire based on The Emperor’s New Clothes, these prompts offer endless possibilities for creative exploration. They challenge writers to think beyond the familiar tropes and archetypes of these stories and to dig deeper into the underlying themes and messages.

Of course, retelling a classic fairy tale is no easy feat. It requires a deep understanding of the original story, as well as the skill and imagination to create something new and original while still honoring the spirit of the tale. But for writers who are up for the challenge, the rewards can be immense. A well-crafted fairy tale retelling can offer a fresh perspective on a beloved story, and introduce it to a whole new generation of readers.

So if you’re feeling inspired by these prompts, don’t hesitate to dive in and start writing. Let your imagination run wild, and see where these classic tales can take you. Whether you’re writing for children or adults, there’s a fairy tale retelling out there waiting to be told.

And who knows? Maybe one day, your own retelling will become a classic in its own right, inspiring future generations of writers to put their own spin on these timeless tales. So go ahead and pick a prompt, and let the magic of storytelling take you on a journey through the enchanting world of fairy tales. If you enjoyed these writing prompts, we have many more on our site.