Comments on: Old Bones, New Flesh: Building a novel from a fairy tale concept

By: lunch hour links for writers – 11-18-09 « helluo librorum

lunch hour links for writers – 11-18-09 « helluo librorum — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:18:21 +0000

[...] story ideas? Build a novel from a fairy tale. Writer Unboxed gives you all the tips you need for Old Bones, New Flesh: Building a Novel from a Fairy Tale Concept by Juliet [...]

By: Juliet

Juliet — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 01:42:16 +0000

It is just possible my US editor was correct when she pushed me in the direction of fantasy-romance. A lot of my longterm readers are telling me they especially liked this book.

By: Barbara Samuel O'Neal

Barbara Samuel O'Neal — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 03:40:02 +0000

Wonderful post. I love your lists of what to keep and what to discard and now I cannot wait to read this novel!
Barbara Samuel O’Neal´s last blog ..The Elegant Joy of Dogness

By: Marilee Rose

Marilee Rose — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:52:04 +0000

I just finished reading Hearts Blood last night. It was wonderful. Truly magical in every aspect. I wish I could say more without giving anything away for other readers, but I will say that this book has to be one of my favorite Juliet Marillier books. Juliet, I must say your books always have me on the edge of my seat until the very end. Thank you for another great story. I look forward to being enchanted once again when your works in progress are completed.

By: Emma

Emma — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 23:34:22 +0000

I finished Heart’s Blood last night and thought it was excellent, especially the way the fairy tale elements contributed to the story–enough of them to be fun and keep the reader guessing, not enough to dominate or spoil the story. For instance, I was expecting the climax to involve Cillian leading a mob of Whistling Tor villagers up the hill to get rid of Anluan, (a la Gaston in the Disney movie)… but the actual climactic moments were so much better. And I really appreciated the lack of magical beautification: “say ‘I love you’ to an ugly guy and he will *poof* transform into a gorgeous hunk” works much better for Disney than in a novel for adults.

By: Samantha Clark

Samantha Clark — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 04:16:46 +0000

Thanks. Great post. Very interesting. Having a plan definitely helps me, even if it’s just a plan for the next few chapters, but a plan for the whole book is better.

Good luck with Heart’s Blood. It sounds awesome. I love fairy tale-type stories.

By: Elle Riley

Elle Riley — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:41:13 +0000

The great thing about fairy tales is they are a perfect example of the correct way to structure a story. I’ve been learning a lot about story structure lately (via the blog http://www.storyfix.com) and it’s amazing to see that pretty much all books follow this formula.

Thanks for this creative breakdown of how to adapt a fairy tale for use in a modern novel!
Elle Riley´s last blog ..In Life, Attitude is EVERYTHING!

By: Kristan

Kristan — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:56:37 +0000

(Oops, hit enter too soon!)

I really like this “keep/discard” idea — I think it could be helpful for me even in going from 1st draft to 2nd.

I’m also curious to know more about how you “nearly lost my faith in the project” and how you managed to revive that faith/passion. I know you touched on it a bit (the plan, the writing group) but it’s something I worry about a lot with my stories (whether I have reason to or not).
Kristan´s last blog ..Overwhelmed, underfocused

By: Kristan

Kristan — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:54:08 +0000

“One of the things I enjoy most about this site is the way authors explain the method of their craft.”

I agree completely. Especially since there are so many authors and each works in his/her own unique way.
Kristan´s last blog ..Overwhelmed, underfocused

By: britnie

britnie — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:32:24 +0000

I can’t wait to read this book! I really love books based on fairy tales, and you always do an amazing job of writing stories that capture me!

By: Maya

Maya — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:19:28 +0000

I also love books based on fairy tales. In fact, the two WIPs that I kick around are both inspired by stories, although the one I am focused on is based on a Biblical story. The structure of a fairy tale/story gives my stories a natural structure.
Maya´s last blog ..A creepy piece of history

By: Holly T.

Holly T. — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:08:53 +0000

Can’t wait to read it–I think fairy tales are sooooo fascinating.

For other fairy tale folks out there: There are some amazing and little known fairy tales ripe for the rewriting. I just did a piece on the “Best 5 Books: Academic Studies of Fairy Tales”–any of the titles there would be great place to start for some brainstorming plot lines.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704107204574469330250583264.html
(Was really bummed that the Little Red Riding Hood description was cut on the website: it’s a gorgeous book.)

By: Eliza Evans

Eliza Evans — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:13:56 +0000

Thanks for the peek into your process! I am such a sucker for Beauty and the Beast stories.
Eliza Evans´s last blog ..Here is a letter I just emailed to Amazon.com

By: Juliet

Juliet — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:26:51 +0000

Pen, it should be available in New Zealand bookshops now, though you may have to ask. Sometimes the release there does lag behind Australia by a month or so, but it’s supposed to be released on the same day in Australia and NZ.

By: Marilee Rose

Marilee Rose — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:50:31 +0000

I am so excited! I am making my tea and reading tonight!!