On Fairy Tales

Hello and welcome to my end-of-month newsletter blog post!

You can read last month’s newsletter here.

Following the very loose pattern I decided to set, these posts are a chance for me to update you on my writing projects and/or write about one of the things I love: Fairy Tales.

I have a beautifully illustrated collection of Grimm’s Fairy Tales, and what has always struck me about the original versions of Grimm’s stories for children is how… dark they are.

They’re certainly not the abbreviated or altered, kid-friendly versions that have been retold throughout the years with endings that are truly “happily ever after.”

Now, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with retelling fairy tales that are less dark than their original counterparts to children. Some subject matters don’t need to be broached until later in life. But it’s a fine line, isn’t it?

The last thing storytellers want to do is to remove all conflict from fairy tales altogether.

A story in which nothing bad at all ever happens—a story in which there are no consequences, or people who do villainous things—won’t be doing children any favors.

So too with fairy tales that always end happily ever after for the protagonists. Or have unrealistic morals woven into such stories that suggest that good things happen to good children who behave, and bad things happen to bad children who do not…

In fact, such stories might be detrimental if children do not realize that they are not an accurate reflection of reality.

Should fairy tales reflect reality? To some extent, I’d argue yes. The reflection can be pale, but it should still be present nonetheless.

I think it was G.K. Chesterton who once said that fairy tales exist not only to teach children that dragons exist, but also that they can be beaten as well. (I think it was something along those lines, anyway. It’s close enough.)

That’s important. Children need stories with some elements of darkness in them because the world we live in can be a dark and scary place. But they also need stories with elements of light and bravery and kindness, where good overcomes evil through great cost, because the world we live in has those elements too.

The fairy tale that can balance both is a fine fairy tale indeed. Scratch that, the fairy tale that can balance both is a fine story, plain and simple.

It’s certainly the sort of story that I’d be honored to read.

Anything new to look for in December?

Well, A Lamplighter’s Tale, the second book in my whimsical fantasy series, Tales of Minz, has been released on Amazon. This series makes a perfect Christmas gift for the fantasy enthusiast in your life from age 12-112! (It’s probably good for 113+ aged individuals as well if you know any.) Looking for other great Christmas gift ideas? Check out my other books, perfect for readers of all ages!

The two final posts to read in my Poking Fun at Fantasy Tropes blog series are coming out soon—look for them in December!

Later in December, keep an eye out for a lengthier post that I’ve decided to call an “Ebenezer Post” in reference to the classic character of Ebenezer Scrooge and his brush with the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future.

There’ll be no bah, humbugs, Christmas carols, or free Christmas turkeys, but I will sit down and type up what 2024 looked like from a writing perspective, what I’m currently working on, and what I’ll Lord-willing be working on in the new year.

With that in mind…

I appreciate your support in reading what I write and I value your input as well! I want to make your experience here in this cozy corner of the internet as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. Looking ahead to 2025, what would you like to see more of on this website?

If you have ideas or suggestions, please fill out the form!

Until next time,

Al