Bringing New Life to Old Tales: A Writer’s Guide to Retelling a Story

How to Craft a Fresh Take on Classic Tales

Retelling a story can breathe new life into well-loved tales, inviting readers to explore familiar themes through fresh perspectives and unique twists. Whether it’s a fairy tale, myth, historical event, or a beloved literary classic, a retelling gives writers a chance to build on universal stories while injecting them with their voice, creativity, and relevance for a contemporary audience.

In this post, we’ll walk through what makes a story ripe for a retelling, how to research for authenticity, planning tips to make the story uniquely yours, and popular examples of successful retellings to spark your own ideas.

What Stories Are “Retellable”?

One of the most exciting aspects of crafting a retelling is the broad range of stories you can choose from. While some genres like fairy tales and myths are classic choices, historical events, cultural legends, and even classic novels can provide a rich foundation for reimagination.

Fairy Tales and Folktales

Fairy tales are perennial favorites for retellings because they often feature universal themes—love, sacrifice, heroism, and the battle between good and evil. Classic stories like Cinderella, Snow White, and Beauty and the Beast are so ingrained in popular culture that they offer endless opportunities for unique twists. For instance, in Cinder by Marissa Meyer, Cinderella is reimagined in a futuristic world where she is a cyborg.

Mythology

Ancient myths provide a treasure trove of stories, from Greek mythology and Norse sagas to Hindu and Egyptian myths. Modern interpretations can draw out themes of resilience, transformation, and fate. For example, Circe by Madeline Miller reexamines Greek mythology from the perspective of Circe, a minor goddess in Homer’s Odyssey, giving her a complex, empowering backstory.

Historical Events and Figures

History offers countless inspiring stories of heroism, love, and tragedy. In a historical retelling, authors can explore different perspectives, filling in gaps that traditional narratives may overlook. A notable example is The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller, which reimagines the Greek hero Achilles’ life from the perspective of his close companion, Patroclus.

Classic Literature

Retelling classic literature allows writers to address modern issues within historical settings or present an alternative viewpoint. Jean Rhys’s Wide Sargasso Sea, for example, tells the story of Jane Eyre’s “madwoman in the attic,” offering a post-colonial perspective on the character of Bertha Mason.

Why Are Retellings So Popular?

Retellings offer readers a blend of the familiar and the novel. According to a study on narrative psychology, stories that draw on well-known plots often resonate deeply with readers because they tap into archetypal themes. By reinterpreting universal stories, authors can engage readers through familiar narratives while introducing new themes, diversities, and complexities that make the story relevant to today’s world.

Successfully Retelling a Story

Writing a retelling requires thoughtful research to understand and respect the original story. Here’s how to prepare:

1. Understand the Source Material

Start by immersing yourself in the original work. Read it carefully, taking note of the main plot points, themes, character motivations, and underlying messages. Even if you’re deviating from the original storyline, knowing the source material in detail helps ground your work and allows you to decide which elements to honor and which to alter.

2. Explore Cultural and Historical Context

If you’re retelling a story from a specific cultural or historical background, dive into research on that context. For example, if you’re reimagining a Norse myth, understanding the beliefs and values of ancient Norse culture will help you create an authentic story. Similarly, if you’re setting a retelling in a historical period, look into the era’s social, political, and economic aspects to accurately reflect the setting.

3. Engage with Previous Retellings

Knowing what other authors have done with similar source material can provide insight and help you create a fresh angle. Look for other retellings and note the elements they emphasize, alter, or add. This step can prevent unintentional repetition and ensure your work brings something original to the genre.

4. Consider Themes, Motifs, and Symbolism

Retellings often highlight certain themes more strongly or explore motifs in new ways. Research recurring symbols and themes in the original work and think about how they could be relevant in a modern context or for your intended audience.

How to Write and Plan a Retelling

Creating a compelling retelling starts with strategic planning. Here’s how to bring your unique version to life:

Choose Your Perspective

A simple shift in perspective can completely alter a story. Decide whose point of view best serves your retelling—perhaps it’s a side character, a marginalized voice, or even an antagonist. Shifting perspective can shed new light on the story and raise questions that make readers reconsider the original work.

Introduce a Unique Twist

Adding an unexpected twist is an excellent way to distinguish your retelling. Maybe you want to change the setting, like making Romeo and Juliet a sci-fi story set in space. Alternatively, you might reimagine characters in different roles, like turning the protagonist into an anti-hero or giving a side character a richer, more central narrative.

Establish a Fresh Setting

Changing the story’s setting opens up new possibilities for symbolism, conflicts, and atmosphere. For instance, you could adapt a Greek myth to a contemporary urban environment or set a fairy tale in a future dystopian world. Such changes invite readers to see familiar characters in new contexts.

Define Your Themes

Themes are the emotional backbone of any retelling. What do you want readers to take away from your story? Retellings are often vehicles for exploring timeless issues—identity, justice, love, or power—but they can also tackle contemporary concerns like mental health, environmentalism, or social inequality.

Consider the Tone and Style

A retelling can range in tone from dark and gritty to light-hearted and humorous. Decide early on if you want to keep the original’s tone or go in a new direction. For instance, where The Odyssey is a grand, sweeping epic, The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood takes a more sardonic, reflective tone, as told from the perspective of Odysseus’s wife, Penelope.

Examples of Popular Retellings

Studying successful retellings can provide inspiration and demonstrate the diverse ways writers can approach classic tales. Here are a few well-known examples:

Wicked by Gregory Maguire – A retelling of The Wizard of Oz from the Wicked Witch’s perspective, which explores themes of morality and perception.

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith – This quirky twist on Jane Austen’s classic combines romance with supernatural horror, reinterpreting the regency period with a unique tone.

The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden – This retelling of Russian folklore weaves a richly atmospheric story that blends myth with historical fiction.

These works are great examples of how authors can take well-known tales and add unique cultural, thematic, or genre-based spins to captivate readers.

Common Concerns About Retelling a Story

When undertaking a retelling, there are a few common concerns that often arise, especially when balancing respect for the original story with the desire to create something fresh and unique. Here are some key points to consider:

Straying Too Far from the Original Story

One concern many writers have is how closely they should stick to the original narrative. It’s true that some retellings borrow heavily from the source material, but others take a more creative approach, only maintaining the core themes, characters, or setting. The key to a successful retelling is making sure the essence of the original story is respected, even if the plot takes a different direction. Remember, retellings are about interpretation and exploration, not mere reproduction.

Avoiding the Trap of Imitation

Writers often worry that their retelling will end up being too similar to the original, or even a direct copy. The best way to avoid this is by focusing on what you bring to the story. What unique perspective can you offer that hasn’t been explored before? How can you infuse your personal style and voice into the narrative? A strong retelling always adds something new to the original—whether it’s a shift in viewpoint, a twist on the theme, or a reimagining of the setting.

Respecting the Source Material

It’s important to remember that a retelling doesn’t require a strict adherence to the original plot. Many successful retellings deviate significantly from their source material, offering fresh takes on themes and characters that resonate with modern audiences. As long as you stay true to the spirit of the original story and honor its cultural or historical significance, there’s plenty of room for innovation. The challenge is to find a way to tell the story in a way that feels both familiar and new.

By keeping these considerations in mind, you can confidently craft a retelling that speaks to both the original and your own creative vision!

Retellings offer a rewarding challenge for writers. Not only do they invite you to interact with beloved narratives in a fresh way, but they also encourage you to bring a piece of yourself to the storytelling. If you’re considering a retelling, start with what inspires you most about the original, explore a perspective or twist that’s uniquely yours, and bring that classic tale to life for a whole new generation of readers. Happy writing!

Erin K. Larson-Burnett, Production Manager at Atmosphere Press (submit your manuscript here!), is a born-and-raised Southerner currently living in Katy, Texas, with her husband and their small domestic zoo. She is an avid ink drinker who lives and breathes books—during the day, she works remotely with authors around the world, honing and perfecting books published through Atmosphere Press. By night, she crafts her own stories…or at least tries to. The Bear & the Rose is her debut novel.