Unleashing the Power of Public Domain: Using Timeless Stories in Your Writing?

Introduce Your Idea

So you wish to start your new story but need to know where to start. This week we are going to expand on the subject with fairy tales or older classics that can be used and taken that have fallen into the public domain. The public domain is a treasure trove of dragon’s horde of timeless stories, characters, and themes to create new and exciting stories. They can include fairy tales of historical events, and the public domain offers a wealth of resources that will inspire your writing.

What starting Point?

Now, the only sad thing is that you can’t be lazy. Or can you? Things generally fall into the public domain in the USA after 90 years of the original author’s death. That doesn’t include parodies and all other legalese you can jump throughout your journey. That is for your research and how much you want to take from a story to make your own.

I am going to once again give reference to the movie Aliens being pitched as Jaws in space. You need to understand what angle and vision your story will take.

Need and Example?

Disney films nearly all started out from works that were within the public domain as well. We recognize those stories as Disney from the style and twist that they had on telling and showing the stories themselves. Fairy tales and myths have been passed down from generation to generation, capturing our imaginations and captivating our hearts. But what of it? If we don’t put a modern spin on these timeless stories and make them more relevant to today’s audiences, really, what needs to be done? This is exactly what re-imagining classic tales is all about. Some people fall into a trap about modernizing anything, and it will be better or a hit, but that is not always the case. Some writers go back and revamp something with new paint, but it falls apart as fast as tofu made in China goods. The important part is to understand what audience and who you are writing for. Respect some of the source materials if it is a reboot or retelling. Though if it is a different story that takes key materials, then have at it.

One way you could put a new spin on a classic tale is to change the setting. For example, you could take the classic story of “Cinderella” and set it in a modern-day city, complete with smartphones and high-tech gadgets. This would give the story a fresh and contemporary feel while still maintaining its core themes of perseverance and the power of inner beauty. However, this has been done with the concept of a teen flick or rom-com. It might have been better to make it futurist or completely change it while keeping it the same in the horror-comedy that is Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. The important part is in understanding yourself and what you want to write. There is plenty of fan fiction in the world today, but you need to understand that the majority of that is driven by patrons, and those that donate money and are not comically sold works or have other legal issues. That is why homework is still an issue, even more so out of school.

Another way to re-imagine a classic tale is to switch up the characters. You could change the gender of the protagonist or make the villain the hero. This would not only bring a new perspective to the story, but it would also challenge societal norms and expectations. But that is pretty common as of late because sympathetic villains and anti-hero stories are becoming the norm as of late. Marvel is gender-swapping many characters, or you could look at the Fate/Stay series from Japan that changed King Author into a woman portraying as a man during their mortal rule as king. You just need to have your own spin, and it makes sense to the world you are writing.

You can also add a new twist to a classic tale by incorporating elements of different genres. For instance, you could add a science fiction twist to “Snow White” by having the evil queen use technology to control the kingdom. This would add a new level of excitement and interest to the story.

Concluding thoughts…..

In conclusion, re-imagining classic tales can be a fun and creative way to breathe new life into timeless stories. It allows us to explore new perspectives, themes, and settings, making these tales even more relevant and appealing to modern audiences. So, why not pick your favorite classic tale and start re-imagining it today? Or make something new on the spot? Remember to be as creative or lazy as you want to be, but legal issues could follow.