This post is
inspired by one of the many contests posted on Figment*. If you need a little
inspiration for a new picture book manuscript or just want to try out a really
fun writing exercise, this is for you.
First, select a
fairy tale or a classic children’s story.
Here are some examples:
The Old Woman Who Lived in the Shoe
Little Red Riding Hood
The Three Little Pigs
Hansel and Gretel
The Three Bears
The Little Red Hen
The Princess and the Pea
The Tortoise and the
Hare
If you don’t like these choices, look up Mother Goose or Hans
Christian Anderson and select another classic.
Think about
the POV this story is usually told from and retell the story through the eyes
of one of the other characters. Don't forget to use "What if" questions to drive the plot.
Example: The Old Woman Who Lived in the Shoe
This is told
from 3rd person. Try telling it in 1st person from the
Old Lady with all the children. Even better for a pb is to tell it from one of
the children’s POV or in 3rd person sharing the story of one of
those children who has to share a shoe with soo many brothers and sisters.
Example: The Three Little Pigs
This story
is told from 3rd person and makes the “Big Bad Wolf” out to be a
really bad guy. Take his POV. Maybe he has a reason for blowing down their
houses (other than eating them). Time for a “What if” question – What if he
isn’t blowing down the houses but is sneezing instead?
You get the
idea. Now write…
* If you are
a student in HS or College, consider entering your story into the contest on
Figment.com
