Today the blog gets a visit from my good friend and fellow classmate Nichole Parks! In honor of the new Cinderella movie, Nichole shares about the ingredients of a successful fairy tale, using Cinderella as an example.
In whatever land you travel, there will be bedtime stories. They are whispered like prayers and as delicate as smoke from a smoldered candle. They open with a beginning which transition to a middle. But if you listen close, you will find they never really end.
Fairytales we call them. Fair, indeed.
For while living forever in a castle with a prince may encapsulate the hopes of a reader, I’m afraid the potion to writing a fairytale romance lies in the very potent never factor.
Never can Cinderella regain her social standing as a maid.
Never can Cinderella attend a royal ball dressed in rags.
Never can Cinderella gain the affection of a prince.
Lock away all dreams in the attic. Throw away the key. Dash every hope but the last. Then start building the forever on the five basics of a fairytale romance.
Love at first sight
Usually, one or both fairytale characters experience love at first sight. From the moment the hero and heroine gaze upon the others face, their connection is instantaneous. This deep, abiding love presents itself in the most innocent way during the first days of their tender romance.
It may not be a fiery passion. But meeting one another ignites something inside that compels the hero that they must see this girl again.
Think of Prince Charming’s dedication to find Cinderella.
Social class differences
Cinderella slept near the cinders.
Prince Charming stewed in the castle.
Time and time again, the hero and heroine fight for acceptance. Sometimes they resort to trickery in order to prove their worth. Perhaps that’s the reason for so many masquerade balls.
Nature
Fairytales deal with the rawest parts of humanity—the glow of hope inside each and every one of us. That with a little faith, hope, and pixie dust we really could fly. Those vulnerable parts are so virile and ripe, it’s no wonder that nature plays such a significant role.
Pumpkins, mice, and birds aren’t magical. They do, however provide a solid organic connection for a story so riveted with supernatural elements.
Magic must end before true love’s test
The clock must strike midnight before a timeless ever after occurs. Because, if you are going to have magic up your sleeves, then your heroes are going to have to roll up their sleeves to work for their heart’s desire.
If the magic never fades, who’s to say true love isn’t a spell?
Princes may dance with the prettiest girl, but it is the heroes who fights for the prettiest girl.
Don’t cripple love with magic. Love is more. A sacrifice will always be stronger than a spell—Beauty and the Beast proves that.
Happily ever after
In whatever land you travel, there will be bedtime stories. They are whispered like prayers and as delicate as smoke from a smoldering candle. They open with a beginning which transition to a middle. But if you listen close, you will find they never really end.
About Nichole: Nichole Parks majors in dark humor and dark chocolate at Taylor University. She makes her headquarters at Zondervan Library where she works remotely as Associate Editor of Splickety Love, blogs at nicholeparks.com , and perfects her application for The Bachelor.
Links:
http://nicholeparks.com/
Kate G. Jameson 
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