Writing Resources from Fifteen Minutes of Fiction

Rewrite a Fairy Tale

Once upon a time, a long time ago, in a land far away, there lived a beautiful princess name Annabelle. Annabelle was sweet, kind, and a bada$$. Her mother died when she was very young and her father remarried a shrewish woman with two mean-girl daughters.

The shrewish stepmother and mean-girl daughters tried to boss Annabelle around, but Annabelle was having none of it. She stood her ground and her bullies (like all bullies) were cowards and, after some juvenile name calling, would slink off into the dark recesses of the castle.

One day it was announced that the Prince was throwing a ball, and all the ladies of the kingdom were invited. The mean-girls and their mother were apoplectic with excitement. There was great hustle and bustle as they prepared their gowns, hair, and accessories for the big night.

Annabelle looked on, amused. She had no intentions of going to the ball and being paraded in front of the prince like a piece of meat. The mean-girls began to tease her but she threw them the side-eye and they scurried off like frightened mice.

The big night finally arrived and the shrewish mother and the mean-girls left in a tornado of lace, hairspray, and perfume. Annabelle settled into her favorite chair, chuckled to herself, and continued reading the complete works of Shakespeare.

After awhile, Annabelle noticed a fluttering light seeping in through the open window. A moment later a woman dressed in what looked like gossamer, floated into the room. Startled, Annabelle gasped.

"Woah!" she said. "Whattup? Who are you?"

"Child, I am your Fairy Godmother. I've come to ask you why you're not at the ball. Do you need a dress? A carriage? Some glass slippers? With a wave of my wand I can conjure them for you."

Annabelle, recovering from her shock replied, "Thanks, but no thanks. I have no interest in balls or princes"

Fairy Godmother looked confused and befuddled. "But isn't it every young woman's dream to marry a prince?" she asked.

"Only in Fairy Tales", Annabelle said with a smile.

Fairy Godmother furrowed her brow, "I see", she said. "Well, what is it you do want? Ask, and it is yours."

Annabelle didn't miss a beat. "I want to go to college," she replied. "But they won't let me in because I'm a woman."

The Fairy Godmother thought for a moment then looked at Annabelle. "If that is what you truly want then you shall have it." She waved her wand over Annabelle and glittering sparks showered over her. "You'll get your acceptance letter to Braniac University in the morning post." With a last glance at Annabelle, Fairy Godmother floated out the window.

Annabelle settled back into her chair. "It's about time," she said.

More writing by this author

Blogs on This Site