I read a blog recently arguing that romance fiction was the modern-day fairy tale. Instead of a dragon or evil stepmothers, the woman is faced with monstrous credit card debt or a boss from hell. As cutesy as the comparison is, all I have to say is this: Just because the a story has a happily-ever-after, it doesn’t make it a fairy tale. Satisfying, long-term relationships occur in real life, too.
Another point I’d like to make is that fairy tales aren’t bad for your health or state of mind (despite what my twin sister may say). I’d also mention that while men like The Grimm Brothers are the most famous fairy tale authors, women created fairy tales, too. Centuries ago females weren’t allowed to voice their opinion, but a woman could speak out against society in the form of a fairy tale. These stories were shared by women, handed down from mother to daughter.
A woman’s role in society has changed and the fairy tale has evolved along with it. However, they did not transform into a romance novel. The target audience for the fairy tale is the children, and the stories reflect today’s sensibilities. Disney princesses are becoming the center of the story instead of the fairies or talking mice saving the day. More important, fairy tale as literature still has value.
When I wrote Red-Hot and Royal, I wanted to tell the story of three modern-day women who met their princes. I didn’t follow any specific fairy tale because I didn’t think those stories fit in today’s world. The women in Red-Hot and Royal aren’t damsels in distress and they aren’t as pure as snow. They don’t fit the requirements of fairy tale princesses from way back when, but they are the kind of women who can face today’s challenges and rule the world.
Red-Hot and Royal was a finalist for the CRW’s Award of Excellence and it won the Winter Rose Award. I have one signed copy to give away to a reader. For a chance to win, just answer this question:
What is your favorite fairy tale?
Tell me in the comment section before Tuesday, October 6 at midnight Pacific Time. I will pick one reader to receive a signed copy of Red-Hot and Royal. Contest rules, guidelines and fine print can be found here. Good luck!
**Update: Congratulations to Stephanie, commenter #8. She won a signed copy of Red-Hot and Royal. I can’t decide which is my favorite fairy tale, but thanks to everyone for sharing theirs!**
I love Beauty and the Beast and Sleeping Beauty.
Cinderella
Beauty and the Beast.
beauty and th ebeast is great
and snow white
Sleeping Beauty is my all time fav…
I like both “Beauty and the Beast” and “Snow White and the Seven Dwarves” too. If I had to pick just one it would have to be “Snow White and the Seven Dwarves”.
My favorite fairy tale has to be Cinderella!
I think it would have to be either Cinderella or The Beauty and the Beast.
I never said they were bad for your state of mind. I love fairy tales. I simply said that they weren’t exactly full of girl power (damsels in distress and all that jazz). I like that modern ones have more of being your own hero and meeting your prince charming on even ground
But Cinderella is still the best of all times
Even thought I am a Sr Citizen (66), My favorite fairy tale (since age 6) is Cinderella….And I am still waiting on my prince charming. LOL.. Of course I realize he will be much older than the original Prince Charming in the book. But I have a very loud doorbell and will not miss him when he stops by..
Thanks for the opportunity to win. I have not read any of your books but I do intend to go to the book store and find “The Year of Living Shamelessly” and begin reading ASAP.
Brenda
I think it’s Beauty and the Beast.
beauty and beast. of course,
Cinderella!
Snow White and the Seven Dwarves
My favorite fairy tale is Cinderella.
Hugssss
LindaH
Hi Susanna!
I think my very favorite Fairy Tale is Beauty and the Beast. There is just something so awesome about being able to see what everyone else has missed to the ‘prince’ underneath!
P.S. ‘Jen – the Twin’, if you think about it, all of those heroines were strong in their own right! Just imagine what they had to go through before the prince arived!!
Beauty and the Beast.
My favourite fairy tale is probably Jack and the Beanstalk. I enjoyed knowing that the beans could grow like they did, and that a little boy was daring enough to climb that beanstalk. What has stayed with me all these years, though, is, “Fee-fi-fo-fum, I smell the blood of an Englishman.” Thank goodness we don’t talk like that anymore, but at the time, I enjoyed chanting the rhyme.
“Puss in Boots” is my favorite fairy tale.
I like “The Little Match Girl” too.