A Cheat Sheet for Fairy Tale Lovers

What on earth is a “Cheat Sheet for Fairy Tale Lovers”? you may be wondering. Recently, a reader emailed me about a special project. Her family is reading aloud all the books that have been published so far in Rapunzel’s journey. For school, they are also researching the different fairy tales that Rapunzel and her friends get mixed up with. She asked if I could provide her with a cheat sheet of the fairy tales I use in each book.

I’m only too happy to provide that with a little insight as to why I chose those fairy tales and what you might expect as the series nears its end. So, buckle up as we explore some of my favorite fairy tales.

Fairy Tale Lovers’ FAVORITE Retellings

Not surprisingly, the best-loved of all fairy tales in Western culture have become popularized by Disney’s animated films. Since Snow White and the Seven Dwarves was released in 1937, Disney has taken fairy tales and retold them with happy endings. This is their brand, even if the first recorded tales didn’t have a happy ending. You can probably guess the top four: Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, Snow White, and Sleeping Beauty.

I’ll admit, I didn’t go near a single one of these well-loved stories for this series. Why? I’m not sure. Maybe I thought they already had enough books dedicated to them or (more likely) I couldn’t come up with a new way to reinvent their stories. I wanted to do something a little different when I first started writing. Funny thing is that I now have an interesting idea involving all of the four major fairy tales, but I’m going to save that idea for the next series I write.

The Hole in Rapunzel

When I began writing the first book in my series waaaaay back in 2003 (I didn’t publish it right away), I wanted to retell Rapunzel’s story by exploring the hole in the plot. It hadn’t yet been made into a movie by Disney, so I felt safe. Now, we all know every story is supposed to have a beginning, a middle, and an end. But Rapunzel’s middle doesn’t really exist. She is imprisoned in her tower by a witch, meets a man who climbs her braid, falls in love with said man and loses him. About two years later she finds him again. He’s blind, but her tears bring back his sight. Oh, and she might have twins with her, depending on which version you’re reading.

I couldn’t help being frustrated when I would read this story. I loved the idea, but what happened to her while they were separated? Where did she go? Who did she meet? How did that change her? Also, was she super-shy or maybe even awkward from all those years in her tower alone?

After some research, I realized if I wanted an answer to these questions, I’d have to discover it myself. So, I plunked myself down and began typing away. That short story became a long book that I eventually split up and turned into The Journey series.

Lesser Known Fairy Tales

In writing Rapunzel’s story, it seemed only natural for her to “happen upon” other fairy tale characters in the middle of their own stories. At first, I relied heavily on the works of the Brother’s Grimm and Hans Christian Andersen. But before long, my mind was composing original stories out of fairy tale elements. Evil, grief, greed, jealousy, and fear all seemed to rise up to greet Rapunzel as she journeyed along.

There was also the supernatural element inherit in most of these fairy tales. They had been told to children in order to encourage them to trust their parents and obey God. But if Rapunzel had been raised by a bitter witch, wouldn’t she have been taught to hate and distrust God? Many of the stories I began weaving into Rapunzel’s tale encounter the Christian God. His strange love story perplexes Rapunzel, how He sent His son to die for the sins of the people He created.

My Rapunzel struggles with all she learns in the world beyond her tower. It takes three books for her to really sort out what she believes and who she trusts. But once she has discovered this, she has also created a new family for herself. In that family are others from different fairy tales who are likewise weighing out what they believe in the face of evil and loss. The question of whether or not people can be redeemed becomes paramount. And, just so you know, I’m now wrestling with whether or not villains can be redeemed in these last two books I am writing.

A Cheat Sheet for Fairy Tale Lovers {WARNING: Spoilers ahead!}

Part of the fun and surprise of writing this series has been seeing what fairytales pop-up. I never want to spoil the fun of discovering those fairy tale myseries. So, if you haven’t read the books yet, you can grab the first one free and the second for 0.99 USD. But, if you have, read on for the cheatsheet for fairy tale lovers.

I tried to annotate the original source if I could verify it. Some are stories that I heard at different points and I don’t have an exact reference. If I have not specifically listed a story that you liked, then it was probably original from me.

I hope this helps and that you enjoy the journey. It has, thus far, been the joy of my life to bring Rapunzel’s misadventures to life for you.

Before the Tower, free book 0Rapunzel’s backstory, The Brother’s Grimm (found in the whole book)Beyond the Tower, book 1Rapunzel, The Brother’s Grimm and other versions (found in chapters 1-5)Princess in Disguise, The Brother’s Grimm (found in chapters 6-9)The Rose Elf, Hans Christian Anderson (found in chapter 12)Bear Prince (found in chapters 13-14)Bluebeard (found in chapters 15-21)The Emperor’s New Clothes, Hans Christian Anderson (found in chapter 17)The Soldier (found in chapter 28)The True Daughter (found in chapter 31)The Maiden Without Hands, The Brother’s Grimm (found in chapter 32)Amidst the Castles, book 2The Shoes That Were Danced to Pieces, The Brother’s Grimm (found in chapters 1-3)The Goose Girl, The Brother’s Grimm (found in chapters 1-3)The Pink, The Brother’s Grimm (found in chapters 4-6)Wild Swans, Hans Christian Anderson (found in chapters 9-11)The Princess and the Pea, Hans Christian Anderson (found in chapter 16)Rapunzel, The Brother’s Grimm (found in chapters 22-26)Within the Spell, book 3The Fisher King, Arthurian legend (found in whole book, especially chapter 5)Rapunzel from Paul’s perspective, The Brother’s Grimm (found in chapter 5)The Bonnie Swans, traditional medieval lyrics I first came across in the music by Loreena McKinnet in her album, The Mask and the Mirror (found in chapter 13)The Poor Man and the Rich Man, The Brother’s Grimm (found in chapter 25)Under the Curse, book 4The Pink (found in the whole book)Among the Kingdoms, book 5 coming in 2021The Goose Girl, The Brother’s Grimm (found in the whole book)

Photo credit: Colton Sturgeon, Gaman Alice, and JacQueline Vaughn Roe.

About JacQueline

Author of  The Journey series, a young adult fantasy retelling Rapunzel’s misadventures. She also wrote  Memoirs of a Headcase: Held by the God of Hope, which chronicles her battle with chronic pain and depression. JacQueline uses her writing to share stories of hope and joy. Any affiliate links used on this website will provide additional income to JacQueline to keep her writing healthy at no additional cost to you.

JacQueline currently lives in North Alabama with her karate husband and three book-crazy kids. All of her writing is from her own experience and based on her opinion. Do not substitute it for a professional therapist.

JacQueline has been writing all her life and loves meeting others who think writing is living. As an author coach, helping other writers on their journey gives her joy. Schedule your free coaching call to learn what steps you should take next now.

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