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Today's Fairy Tale Fortnight interview totally makes my day. Because it is with the author of my number one most anticipated release of 2012 and will be followed by a review of the book! I cannot even begin to describe how happy I am that Alethea, author of the soon to be released Enchanted agreed to be part of Fairy Tale Fortnight! So check out her awesome interview and then enter the giveaway of WIN that she is donating!What do you make of the resurgence in popularity for fairy tales? (Once Upon a Time, Grimm, Mirror Mirror, Snow White and the Huntsmen, all within a very short time)? Do you see it as a trend that will sort of peter out, or is it just getting started?
J. R. R. Tolkien once said (and fairy tale scholar Jack Zipes agrees) that fairy tales were 100% guaranteed moneymakers. In these times of extreme economic crisis, doesn't it make sense to bet on a Sure Thing? Even Mama wouldn't disagree with that.
I believe this is a trend that started once upon a time in sixteenth-century Italy. We're definitely on the crest of a fairy tale tidal wave right now. I hope that wave continues for a very, very long time...or until we all live happily ever after. Whichever comes first.
What impact do you think fairy tales have on society (especially with the same tales popping up in various forms in every society)?
Over the years, fairy tales as a whole have been both teaching tools and "urban" legends at the same time. They are typically pro-cleverness, anti-laziness, and sometimes even end more realistically than happily. I think the more unadulterated fairy tales that children are read as part of their growing-up process, the more traditional values they will have, and the better off our society would be.
But we live in a world now where children are protected from such terribly, bloody things. Fairy tales are neutered and spoon-fed by Disney, and our children are reading Facebook news links before bedtime. Because THAT seems like the best way to mold our future society. *rolls eyes*
Book in a Tweet: Your fairy tale in 140 characters or less?Every beloved fairy tale originated with the Woodcutter family. Enchanted is Sunday Woodcutter's story.
Favorite fairy tales: "The Goose Girl" and "Snow White & Rose Red."
Most underrated fairy tale? Every one that hasn't been made into a Disney film: "The Foundling," "Master Maid," "The Seven Swans," "The Little Match Girl," "Tom Thumb"...
Most overrated fairy tale? "Snow White." Every retelling of this tale concentrates so much on the evilness of the queen and not really Snow White herself. (The jury's still out on OUaT, but it's decidedly Regina-centric.) At the end of the Grimm tale, Snow White invites the queen to her wedding and makes her dance in red-hot iron shoes. Doesn't exactly fit the Lily White Mary Sue Princess she's always portrayed as, does it?
Last year we asked everyone’s fairy tale hero/heroine name; this year, we want to know your fairy tale villain name:
According to the online Fairy Tale Name Generator, I am EVIL STEPMOTHER. Ha! Is that even possible?
Using that name, give us a line from your villainous fairy tale:
"Once Upon a Time, a fairy godmother married a widowed prince with two lovely daughters. While the sun shone she was loving and kind, but when the sun set, she locked herself in the tower room and became THE EVIL STEPMOTHER."
If a genie granted you 3 wishes, what would they be?
1. That the Enchanted series continue on long enough for me to tell the stories of all seven Woodcutter sisters
2. That we all be doomed to a happy life
3. The genie's freedom (I am no fairy tale dummy!)
Best way to read fairy tales?
In bed, to a child. Fairy tales are all the more magical when told.
If one of your books was being turned into a movie and you could cast 1 character, which character would you cast and who would play them?
It's funny you should ask! I am a huge movie buff and a fan of many actors, not the least of which is Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje. I was writing the last half of Enchanted right about the same time they killed the character of Mr. Eko on the TV show Lost. I was furious! So furious, in fact, that I immediately resurrected him in my book...and thus, Jolicoeur was born. I would be tickled pink if someday a production company 1.) turned Enchanted into a film and 2.) cast Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as Jolicoeur.
If a genie granted you 3 wishes, what would they be?
1. That the Enchanted series continue on long enough for me to tell the stories of all seven Woodcutter sisters
2. That we all be doomed to a happy life
3. The genie's freedom (I am no fairy tale dummy!)
Best way to read fairy tales?
In bed, to a child. Fairy tales are all the more magical when told.
If one of your books was being turned into a movie and you could cast 1 character, which character would you cast and who would play them?
It's funny you should ask! I am a huge movie buff and a fan of many actors, not the least of which is Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje. I was writing the last half of Enchanted right about the same time they killed the character of Mr. Eko on the TV show Lost. I was furious! So furious, in fact, that I immediately resurrected him in my book...and thus, Jolicoeur was born. I would be tickled pink if someday a production company 1.) turned Enchanted into a film and 2.) cast Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as Jolicoeur.
P.S.-- I kind of come off like I hate Disney in this, but I really don't .Well, okay..I sort of don't.
PPS -- I didn't really get to mention THE WONDERLAND ALPHABET -- it would be cool if perhaps you could find a way to sneak it in somehow. Stories like Alice in Wonderland and Peter Pan are very much fairy tales to today's generation, I think.
PPS -- I didn't really get to mention THE WONDERLAND ALPHABET -- it would be cool if perhaps you could find a way to sneak it in somehow. Stories like Alice in Wonderland and Peter Pan are very much fairy tales to today's generation, I think.
What a fabulous interview! Seriously! LOVE! And would that I were a genie that I could grant your first wish! I would love to read more of the Woodcutter sister's stories! I absolutely loved the allusions to the various fairy tales!
____________________________________________Alright! GIVEAWAY TIME!!
Because Alethea is MADE OF WIN she has donated an awesome gift basket full of Enchanted goodness and Fairy Tale win.
She has donated a finished, signed copy of Enchanted to one lucky winner along with other fun swag and surprise gifts.
TO ENTER: Use the Rafflecopter form below. There are extra entries available for commenting on Enchanted related posts on Ashley's blog- Basically Amazing Books, Misty's blog- The Book Rat and Bonnie's blog- A Backward's Story. The Rafflecopter widget is the same on all three blogs. You can enter through any of our blogs, but you must visit and comment on each individual post for the extra entries.
Giveaway is US only. Ends May 7th.
Visit:
Ashley's Blog Misty's Blog Bonnie's Blog
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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| Click the button to be taken to the Fairy Tale Fortnight Main Page & Schedule (button image via) |
"I think the more unadulterated fairy tales that children are read as part of their growing-up process, the more traditional values they will have, and the better off our society would be."
ReplyDeleteBrilliant. There aren't many things out there anymore that teach traditional values, so fairy tales are becoming an even more vital part of a child's upbringing, IMO.
I can't wait to read this book I have read so many wonder things about it and I love fairy tale retelling!!! Some of my favorite authors that do great retelling are Jessica Day George and Shannon Hale!!!!
ReplyDeleteI completely agree that the best way to read fairy tales is to a child. I read lots of fairy tales to my 5 year old sister and she loves them! Fairy tales are so important to a child's development. They teach us how to solve problems in creative ways and add a bit of magic to our lives!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Alethea, fairytales are more magical when told!
ReplyDeleteLily
so say we all!
"Once Upon a Time, a fairy godmother married a widowed prince with two lovely daughters. While the sun shone she was loving and kind, but when the sun set, she locked herself in the tower room and became THE EVIL STEPMOTHER." Now THAT is a story I want to read!! Also, I really hope she is right and we are on the crest of a Fairy Tale wave in new books. I love fairy tales and re-tellings. I'm particularly fond of Ugly Duckling re-tellings. I remember my mom crying when she read me The Little Match-Girl at bedtime. It was part of a big anthology of fairy tales that she would read to me. A re-telling of that would be good too.
ReplyDeleteI do agree about the need to preserve the old fairy tales in their original form that Alethea alludes to. The Disneyfication of classic children's stories is OK, if that's what people want their kids to read or watch but the original versions should be preserved as well
ReplyDeleteYes! We should all be doomed to a happy life :D lol Fairy tales are the best when told to you...agreed.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Snow White is the most overrated fairytale.
ReplyDeleteWell, Disney knows how to take a story and make it profitable that's for sure! Some of their stories I had never heard before they came out in movies.
ReplyDeleteLike the Little Mermaid, I still haven't read the original story.
But, according to you, we'll be riding the crest of the fairy tale wave for a long time because happily ever after only happens in fairy tales.
And you should always let the genie out of the bottle and give them their freedom. Cause you know about Karma! And Fairy Tales!
Heather
I hadn't thought about fairytales as a sure thing, but they really are. I'm just thankful for the resurgence.
ReplyDeleteI had a friend tell me once that I needed a reality check and to get my head outta fairy tales so much...Obviously, she is a poor blighted soul who never had the chance to EXPERIENCE fairy tales. It breaks my heart. Fairy tales are essential to life, I love them. Immensely. MY children will grow up with fairy tales. They're necessary, just as you say. Though I've got a considerable weakness for certain of Disney's tellings ;o)
ReplyDeleteI agree about Snow White - she so gets on my nerves in most variations. I'm not always crazy about Cinderella either...
Thanks for the awesomesauce giveaway!
::crossing fingers::
Until I read this interview I hadn't realized how many fairy tales begin with the woodcutter's family or at least have the main setting out in the woods somewhere. Now I'll have to think back on all my faves to see just how many fit in with one of those characteristics!
ReplyDeleteThe cover as seen on Bonnie's blog, is gorgeous. That sleeping woman seems content and the frog adds the "fair tale" connection that might not be there otherwise. I hadn't even notice the frog until I read about it in Bonnie's comments!
ReplyDeleteI am so excited to read Enchanted, and I can't help but agree that I'd love to see in continue long enough to get all seven sister's stories in there. Alethea shared some really great thoughts on fairy tales and society. I particularly agree that we shouldn't be sheltering kids from the 'real' stories and their gore--these are the ones that have true morals!
ReplyDeleteI would love a full series of all the sisters!
ReplyDeleteThis story sounds fabulous! I totally agree about fairy tales that aren't considered as such like Alice in Wonderland. Alice in Wonderland is one of my absolute favorites.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read this book.
Oh, and Evil Stepmother? lol
ReplyDeleteThat's so awesome that she cast "Mr. Eko" as a character in Enchanted. I love cross-fictional-universe happy endings.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great giveaway!
ReplyDelete(and I don't much like Snow White either!)
ReplyDeleteAmazing interview! Lucky you for interviewing an amazing author! ;)
ReplyDeleteGreat interview! I totally agree, the best place to read fairy tales is in bed. Thanks for the interview. :)
ReplyDelete