 Fantasy: June 15, 2005 Issue [#422] |
 
Fantasy
This week: Edited by: W.D.Wilcox  
More Newsletters By This Editor 
1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions
Greetings,
I have always asked for your feedback concerning what you would like to see in the Fantasy Newsletter. My hope has been to offer up something of interest to everybody. Some of the comments and ideas I have received so far have been excellent and I would like to share them with the community.
Hello, there.
I submitted a request to the newsletter a few weeks back. I am interested in writing a mini-series for the newsletter about writing fairy-tales, in particular the elements that are involved in each fairy-tale. I have written up a brief proposal, highlighting what I would like to write about. It includes a link to my work for the Ultimate Writing Workshop, where I teach a workshop on fairy-tale, myths, and folklore. I would appreciate it if you could take a look.
I've sent this to you because you are an editor of the newsletter, and I wasn't sure who else to send it to!
Thanks in advance,
Amanda, twyls
And with that in mind, I’d like to feature an article about fairy tales written by twyls. If you write fantasy, if you write children’s stories, and especially if you write fairy tales, this is the newsletter for you. Please enjoy, and keep sending in those cards and letters  ,
Until next time,
{usuer:billwilcox}
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Archetypes: Not Just for Characterization
Archetypes used to confuse me. An apple is not just an apple?
In fiction, the answer is no. The image of the apple has so many layers to it, at least in a world in which the Garden of Eden is a well-known part of us. I have not read Jung myself, but I believe that he argues that archetypes are universal. I know that many do argue this point, as a dream dictionary will label a dream about feces as a money dream, even if the dreamer didn’t have any reason to associate the two. (Please don’t ask me how I know this. )
Early philosophers liked to argue about practically everything, and a good argument grew out of the nature of recognition. How do we know a chair is a chair? One theory was that there is a universal, “perfect” chair. We compare every object to this perfect chair, and when one fits, we label it chair. Now, whether or not you buy this theory, it did help me understand archetypes.
The hidden mind, the psyche, is known to play tricks. The part of the brain that does not understand language relies on images, and imagery, to understand the world. When I say the word, “dog,” almost everyone will picture a dog. When the image holds more connotation, in the case of the apple, it is best described as an archetype.
Let’s keep “apple” as our prime example. The Garden of Eden (which is an archetype all its own) and the myths that surround it teach us that the apple is the forbidden fruit. It is associated with, among many things: seduction; wisdom; a fall from grace; and anything forbidden. It can also be called a religious archetype.
Let’s apply this to fiction, to fairy tales specifically. If your character is eating a piece of fruit, that’s great. She’s having a snack. If your character is eating an apple, suddenly things are happening. She’s about to learn something, and if the lesson isn’t nasty, the outcome certainly will be. She’s been tricked into something, or perhaps she’s the seductress, the sinister one herself.
You could just say this, I guess. You could say, “So-and-so is about to learn about something very important, and she’s not going to like the consequences very much.” Or, “So-and-so is very evil, and is going to trick someone into doing something forbidden soon.” Or, you can play with our minds and plant the hint like a seed. “She looked at the bowl of fruit. She looked at him and smiled. Then she picked up the apple.”
Fairytales are the perfect ground for archetypes. Without them, you have a well-manured orchard with no trees. A plot full of dung. Red-Riding Hood didn’t wear a red riding hood for the fashion. Red means something to us.
Prompt: Pick an object with which you are familiar. Pick something that has some stories to it, some meaning on a psychological level. If you can’t think of anything right away, don’t fret. Think of the best-known biblical tales, or repeated objects in fairy tales. What do you think the object stands for? Your prompt is to use this object in a fairy tale of any length.
I’m going to offer a small GP prize to anyone who sends me a good story with a brief explanation of the archetype they used and why they used it, or what it means. Though Jaren wrote an excellent article on archetypical characters, I’d like you to use an archetypical object, or a specific character. (The initials J.C. pop up in fiction quite a bit…) Have fun with this and use it to explore the deeper reaches of fairy tale magic.
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Elements of Fairy-Tales
1. Use of repetition – 3’s the magic number
2. Use of archetypes – When an apple really isn’t
3. The Hero – Why he’s not flawed
4. The Villain – Why he’s not nice
5. Other characters – Who helps, who hinders
6. Romance – It all ends with a wedding
How to write Fairy-tales
1. POV – How to use the camera
2. Time Frame – Break the Rules
3. The Quest – Where to go, what to do
4. How it All Begins – Three beginnings
5. How it all ends – The rules
6. Use of repetition – Yes, again.
Elements of Fairy-Tales
1. Use of repetition – Three is the magic number
I. A brief introduction
A. Who I am
1. A brief bio, and my background in fairy-tales
B. My objectives for this series of articles
1. To clarify the definition of fairy-tale
2. To define clear elements of fairy-tales
3. To give thorough explanations of each element
II. Psychology of fairy-tales
A. A very brief history of the fairy-tale
1. Old wives tale to Jung
2. Perrault (and contemporaries) and Disney (and contemporaries)
a. Their affect on fairy-tales
B. How the fairy-tale speaks to us
1. Our psyche
a. As individuals
b. As a society
III. Why Three?
A. Traditional reasons
1. The magic of the number three
B. Psychological reasons
1. Repetition and memory
IV. Conclusion
A. Challenge to writers
1. Look into the history of your favorite fairy-tale(s). How far back can you trace the roots? Which cultures can it be found in?
© Copyright 2005 twyls and twin gone for awhile
Editors Picks
Here is a wonderful selection of fairy tales and myths for your enjoyment. As always, please rate and review  .
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Thanks for your FEEDBACK
megsie2584 comments:
Thanks for the newsletter on "World Building."
My 5th grade class read the book, The Giver. One discussion day, my teacher asked us what we thought the time period of the book was, when the events in it took, take, or will take place. I can still remember that question because, to me, it was absurd. The author of that book did such a great job of showing me the world of that story, and I knew it could not be related to time in our world.
Thanks, Meg. It appears ‘The Giver’ is standard fare in grammer schools everywhere. My kids have also read it. I wish I had wrote it...lol.
fictionfreak says:
Thanks for the article discussing travel for your charactors. I was stuck in a rut on how to get my group from one place to the next without putting readers to sleep, but you bailed me out! Many thanks again!
Keep your bowstring taunt and your blade singing...
Write On! I’m sure Akura will be glad to hear her article was well received.
GreySquirrel  comments:
I greatly enjoyed your editorial about world-building and fantasy writing.
-GreySquirrel
Once again, thank Akura for a well written article.
scherpenisse remarks:
Excellent newsletter! Congrats to Akura for providing such a great newsletter with much helpful information. I'll be sure to use it. Thanks!
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