Melanie Dickerson here. I’m so excited to be a part of Novel Teen, the blog for fans of Young Adult fiction with a Christian world view. I will be posting once or twice a month, and for my very first post, I want to celebrate with a GIVEAWAY! I’m giving away a copy of my novel, The Healer’s Apprentice, releasing September 3rd from Zondervan, to one person who comments on this blog post.
People often ask me where I get my ideas for my books. The original idea for The Healer’s Apprentice came to me while my daughters were watching Sleeping Beauty. I was thinking that the prince’s actions weren’t very true-to-life. Okay, I know, it’s a fairy tale. But I got to thinking, what if this basic premise actually happened? What if a guy, who was used to getting everything he wanted, who was betrothed and honor- and duty-bound to marry another woman, fell in love with a peasant girl? How would he react? Those thoughts led to lots of other thoughts, and eventually, some four years later, they led to a finished novel that a publisher wanted to publish.
My love for all things medieval also played a part in the story, as the story is set in 1387 in a fictional town I modeled after Hildesheim, Germany. I spent six weeks in Hildesheim and fell in love with the medieval architecture. Sigh. You can see a panoramic view of the medieval town square Here: http://www.panorama-cities.net/hildesheim/market_place_5c.html
And here is a trailer for The Healer’s Apprentice:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2m9-Ap4IZE]
So, I’m curious. Have you read any fairy tale retellings? If yes, what was your favorite? If not, would you be interested in reading a fairy tale retelling—a story based on a well-known fairy tale? Leave a comment, with your email address in an anti-SPAM form, something like this: melaniedickerson [at] yahoo [dot] net, and you will be in the drawing for an autographed copy of The Healer’s Apprentice as soon as I receive my author copies.
To find out more about The Healer’s Apprentice, visit my website, www.melaniedickerson.com.
Hi Melanie! Great post and I love, love, love the book trailer! Thanks for sharing.
Hi Melanie!!!!! I’m so excited about your new group blog! That is awesome! I absolutely love your trailer and the premise for your book and would LOVE LOVE LOVE a chance to win a copy!
I am having a hard time thinking of fairy tale remakes, but lately I’ve watched a few movies with my daughter like Sydney White…the retelling of Snow White. I cannot think of any right now, though I know I’ve seen more. 🙂
Thanks, Heather!
I will be announcing a winner of a copy of The Healer’s Apprentice on Friday, June 11th!
Melanie, I love the book trailer! It’s like a movie preview 😀
As for you question about fairy tale retellings, I read “Ella Enchanted” along with my daughter. I confess to liking the movie better. The book was an interesting retelling but the movie gave Ella and Char stronger motives for their actions and bigger obstacles to overcome. Ever since seeing the movie and reading the book I’ve had occassional thoughts about rewriting a fairy tale. But nothing ever quite hits me as “do-able”, at least for my capabilities. Although I love fantasy fiction (ya’ know, elves and stuff), I can’t seem to create a fantasy world on my own. And I don’t know enough about medieval history to be accurate. So my hat goes off to you for taking the challenge and getting a published book out of it! I’m looking forward to reading it in the fall. And maybe I can get a few of my daughter’s friends interested as well.
Blessings,
Tammy Doherty
tdinishowen(at)charter(dot)net
Thanks, Sherrinda, for stopping by!
One of my favorite fairy tale retellings is Beauty by Robin McKinley. It’s a retelling of Beauty and the Beast. There are others out now that have a fairy tale feel but aren’t based on a certain fairy tale. There’s Ella Enchanted, which I also liked.
Hi Melanie,
can’t wait for your book to come out. I’m afraid I haven’t read anything like fairy tales lately. But just wanted to tell you how proud I am of you for your accomplishments.
Melanie, you book looks wonderful. The trailer is great too. I look forward to reading it and having my daughter read it also. I will pass along your website to my daughter. I see lots of books on your site that I think she would really enjoy. I would love to win a copy of your book. I do not believe I have read any fairytale retellings so yours sounds like it will definitely be worth reading.
pleblanc_1{at}charter{dot}net
I really enjoyed the trailer. The book sounds like it will be great. I haven’t read any retelling of a fairy tale but this one sounds interesting. I would like to read it.
Hey, Melanie! Great blog!! I just sent the link to my daughter.
I guess one of my favorites (in movie form, anyway) is Beauty and the Beast.
Please enter me in the drawing for the book! I promise to let my daughter read it first. Well… maybe I shouldn’t promise that! LOL But at least I’ll promise to pass it along to her if I win. (Of course you know I’ll be buying it if I don’t win.) I don’t know when I’ve looked more forward to a book! 🙂
missytippens [at] aol . com
I SO, SO , SO love reading about the mideavel times. Not sure I’ve read a fairytale retelling, but this would be a great start.
Thanks, Tammy, Patty, Karen, and Christine.
Tammy, I really liked the movie Ella Enchanted. Very different from the book, wasn’t it? I liked both.
Please leave your contact information for the drawing! Thanks!
I think I’d enjoy a fairy-tale retelling, but I haven’t read any yet. This one sounds interesting! clp1777(at)aol(dot)com
Thanks, Missy! How cool that you can share it with your daughter! 🙂 I can’t wait to hear what you both think of it!
Hi, Stephanie! Another medieval fan! All those castles and knights and women in beautiful dresses. What’s not to love?
Thanks, Courtney, for stopping by!
a wonderful posting….thanks for the chance to read this fabulous novel 🙂
Thanks for the link you posted at HisWriters. Your book sounds fascinating!
What a wonderful book trailer! I definitely want to read your book and review it for my website.
Thanks!
Amy
artsyrockerchick at aim dot com
My youth group kids would love this book. Put me/us into the drawing!
Thanks!
Ann Lee Miller
Hi, Melanie! I love your work and this looks like it would be a wonderful teen novel! I would love a chance at winning it!! Thanks for the chance!
Thanks Karenk, Carrie, and Amy for stopping by and leaving a comment! I hope you like the Novel Teen and will be subscribing and coming back often!
Hey Mrs. Melanie, your friend Darlo told me about your book giveaway that I might be interested in. I have not read any of your books but I plan on reading it if I win the giveaway. thank you so much.
Sincerely,
Jody Vickers
P.S. I hope God helps you to bring this book to new hieghts in your life. Also that He will bring it to more teenagers hearts.
Oh, I really want to read this book, the trailer alone has me SO intriguied!! Please enter me in the giveaway, this book looks fantastic!
caseymh18(at)gmail(dot)com
Melanie, I have a friend who teaches creative writing to a group of teen girls. One of her students FINALLED in the FHL Touched by Love Contest.
I sent her the link. I hope the girls find your blog and get even more in touch with great Christian YA writing.
WOW! I’m hooked! I’ve never read a fairy tale retelling, but I think it’s a fantastic idea to give a classic fairy tale a new twist with a Christian faith based message. Awesome! I’d love, Love, LOVE to read your book. Pick me! Pick me! 🙂
dancerchick(at)cimexico(dot)org
Yay, Ann and Molly! Thanks for leaving a comment! 🙂
Thank you so much, Jody!
Case, thanks for your kind words!
Thanks, Mary! Send ’em my way!
I truly value the need for our children to explore fantasy – what other way to learn to dream and contemplate about the complexities of God. Tree Girl by Thomas A Barron is a retelling of sorts from the medieval tales of Merlin. Though some of this fantasy is a little out there for my appreciation, I do like how the author seems to portray a deep value for children/young people. Barron also places importance on parents and the knowledge of where we come from, which is a welcome alternative from today’s cultural message for young people to rebel and not respect or value their parents. I love it when there is a valuable life-lesson or faith message intertwined in the stories that fill the impressionable minds of our young people. This was one thing I looked for when helping my now grown children select reading for entertainment. I also liked material that incorporated historical facts. Though I’ve not read any of your previous books, I am drawn to know of your story-telling and would like to get to know and possibly share your stories with young girls in my junior high youth ministry small group who might be challenged by alternative reading entertainment.
All the best as you seek to entertain, inspire and incorporate a clean healthy message in your stories.
L Faith
ldfaith at gmail dot com
Hi Melanie!
Your book sounds awesome! I love fairy tail retellings and I’ve read quite a few. I think my favorite is probably Beauty, a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, by Robin McKinley. Although, I also really enjoyed The Whispered Kiss, another retelling of Beauty and the Beast, by Marcia Lynn McClure.
Please, please, please enter me in your drawing. My e-mail address is kristenbivens[at]hotmail[dot]com.
Melanie,
Nice blog post. My girls read both Ella Enchanted and Beauty, and preferred Beauty.
One that I read to the kids for homeschool (I read to them nightly) was Princess Academy. I’m not sure whether that’s a loose retelling of Princess and the Pea or not, but it was certainly good, a Newberry winner I think. (Silver?)
Another Princess and the Pea redo was ‘The Princess Test’ which the girls and my wife have read, and they liked.
I am sure there is a solid market for such fairy tale retellings. Who doesn’t like those old stories and their values, and want a fuller, richer experience than the short candy Disney usually doles out?
I expect when I get a copy of it I will be reading it to my family at night. I’m sure it’s age-appropriate for young teen…
Oh, and since I’m another contributor here I expect I’m not in the running for a free copy. 🙂
Oh wow! I think I just found a new addiction.This site is fabulous.
I don’t recall reading any fairytale retellings, which is odd considering I love fairytales.
I’d love to be in your drawing. I have a teenager that would really like this book, and of course, being the history nut I am, I would too.
christinainspirationals [at] gmail [dot] com
I have not read any fairy tale retellings – yet. I’d love to win your book. Thanks! luscofamily @ ortelco. net
I just did the drawing! The winner is Courtney! Congrats, Courtney! I’ve sent you an email so you can contact me privately with your mailing address.
What a great idea for a book!