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THE WORLD OF THE FAIRYTALE

4/4/2016

The world of the fairytale is more varied than it might seem. It takes in everything from an ill treated step daughter working away clearing away dirt and dust to the inside of a Palace where a royal couple are upset because an annoyed fairy has just cursed their sleeping little princess.

The world of the fairytale looks at what happens to those who are the victims of curses (Sleeping Beauty) to those who are guilty of injustice (see the wicked stepmother's story in Snow White).

So how varied is your fictional world? Is it set in one kind of environment? Who populates that world? Are there class divisions? How wide is that world? What happens to the guilty?

If magic is a feature in your fictional world, how is it used to help people? Or does it get in the way?

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REASONS TO BE GRATEFUL FOR NOT HAVING A FAIRY GODMOTHER

4/4/2016

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You will never, ever have to wear glass slippers. Can you imagine how uncomfortable those must have been? (Re the mistranslation - I'm not that comfortable with fur slippers either. For me, fur generally looks better on the animal concerned. I have no problem at all with fake fur).
You will never, ever use transport you know was once a pumpkin.
Nor will you ever look at a pumpkin again and think I once rode in once of those and then realise just how mad that sounds.
Fairy godmothers usually have enemies of the powerful magical variety. One good way for that enemy to "get at" the fairy godmother in question is to attack those said fairy godmother cares about. This could be you!
No fairy godmother in your life means you're unlikely to be troubled by magic. This is, to paraphrase P.G. Wodehouse, a "good thing". It is also a "safer for you thing" and a "more likely to mean a quiet life for you thing".
If you're unlucky enough to have a fairy godmother like my Eileen in your life, you can be guaranteed she will make your life awkward and that will be long before any enemies show up to cause grief for you.
Your life will not be turned into a Disney film. No fairy godmother = no magic = no fairy tale = no story for Disney to adapt. It also means your life is likely to be far too boring to portray in film. Boring from your viewpoint is good. It means less hassle. And don't we all have enough of that in life without magic putting in an appearance? People forget Harry Potter had the troubles he did because he was magical, not despite it (there is a huge difference).
You won't look at footmen in pictures or film and wonder if they were once vermin.
You won't be expected to go to the ball to dance with someone whom you've never met before and whom you have no idea whether they'll be a good match or not. Is Prince Charming really that charming? See Shrek the Third for further details.
You won't end up in a list by a blogger such as myself who loves writing lists.

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INSPIRATIONAL DOCUMENTS

2/4/2016

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I revisited Salisbury Cathedral today and one of my favourite things to see there is one of the four surviving original copies of the Magna Carta. It is also the best preserved copy (according to Salisbury Cathedral's officers anyway!).

I find it awe inspiring to be able to see one of the most important documents in UK history and world history. A translation of the medieval English is on the outside of the booth the Magna Carta is kept in (to shield it from direct light, no photos are allowed either, though you can take pictures of the Chapter House in which it is kept. See below).

This led me to think about what documents might be important in your fictional world. Would it be an original spell book, the classic fairy tales or other traditional magical work? Can anyone see/have access to these? Who wrote them? What triggered the writing of them?

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BAD THINGS TO COME ACROSS WHEN VISITING A MAGICAL WORLD

2/4/2016

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The sound of a dragon or other monster landing behind you. You hear a strange noise, you turn and there it is... so either run, use a spell to destroy the thing or hope St. George turns up.
The annual convention of the Wicked Witch Society. They tend not to like being interrupted. They also have so many ways of showing their disapproval at that interruption, all of which will be fatal.
A society that likes human sacrifices - and then you show up.
A quest that needs one more to make up the numbers - guess who that muggins will be.
A magical ring with strange inscriptions on it. Leave it alone if you value your life!
A magic lamp or artefact in general. There is always a price to pay with these things. At best you'll get a genie who tries to be too helpful (they're usually in a hurry to get rid of the old three wishes obligations as that sets them free from the curse that shoved them in the magical artefact in the first place). At worse, the genie has been waiting for some muggins to take their place in the magical artefact and then you show up!
A map promising to show you the way to immense riches. It is unlikely to be the only copy and you will have no idea who else is hunting this treasure down. If you like a long healthy life, it is best you leave these maps alone.
Food or drink with labels encouraging you to eat or drink them. Well what else were you going to do with them? Also I'd be very wary of food and drink being left out like that. There is a word for this kind of thing. It's "bait".
A helpful guide who volunteers to show you around the magical world. They've almost certainly got their own agenda (and maybe they are on commission to lead suitable victims to those requiring such things - wicked witch, wizard etc). Ask yourself just why would they want to help someone who has just turned up in their world. What are they getting out of it?
A sword in a stone. It isn't for you, honestly. Leave alone.

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THE WORLD OF THE FAIRYTALE

REASONS TO BE GRATEFUL FOR NOT HAVING A FAIRY GODMOTHER

INSPIRATIONAL DOCUMENTS

BAD THINGS TO COME ACROSS WHEN VISITING A MAGICAL WORLD

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