Dark Fairytales & Creative Writing (Series) – Workshop

Originally written in 1740, 'Beauty and the Beast' is a timeless story of love, longing and sacrifice.

In this online writing workshop, Bernadette Russell explores this French fairytale and invites students to craft their own kindred creative pieces. Bernadette discusses the story's most important themes, such as the nature of beauty and beastliness, the conflict of wildness and domesticity, and the tension between betrayal and forgiveness. Students also consider its vivid concepts and motifs – a mythical landscape in which roses thrive on blood, children are abandoned in forests, animals talk, and both danger and opportunity beckon. Bernadette then gives a retelling of the original story, after which participants are invited to create their own tales using timed guided prompts. Note: you are invited but not obliged to share your work. This is a kind, fun and supportive environment in which to experiment with ideas safely.

Ideal for anyone interested…