What All Writers Can Learn from Folktales (Writing Exercise)

Folktales ignite our imaginations and reveal facets of human nature. In any story, writers design challenges that force their characters to confront their worst fears and insecurities. Here, you’ll find a folktale-inspired writing exercise wherein you can craft a story around a character’s flaws and an event or mystical being that challenges that flaw.

Joe Webb’s YouTube channel:

“The Bwca” folktale, narrated by Daniel Morden:

Check out my other collaborations with Joe Webb on his channel!
+ Writing stories from the same prompt:

Background Music by Vindsvept:
+ “Alone”
+ “The Journey Home”
+ “Leaving the Dream”
+ “Keeper of the Forest”

Features of Folktales (0:00)
Crafting a Folktale (3:09)
Case Study: The Green Knight (6:46)
Writing Exercise (9:26)
The Ugly One and the Beautiful One (11:50)

[WalesRebel]

The story of the sisters at the end was beautifully written!! The plot twist at the end sent chills down my spine

[DamienZshadow]

My people are Circassian and we originate from the Caucasus mountains. It was said that one of our tribes, the Shapsug (my mother's side) used to throw their elderly off the sides of cliffs when they could no longer provide for themselves. A day came when the young man had to tie his father up and drag him to the top of a cliff. As he did so, his father bumped his head and laughed. His son asked him how he could laugh in such a dire situation. He said that he remembered how he did the same thing to his father and now it was his turn to pay the same price. The son felt terrible and could not go through with it. The father pleaded for him to continue with his duty or he would bring shame to his family but the son decided to hide his father in the attic instead.

Not long after, nobleman arrived in the Village and claimed to give away a great part of land, gold and his daughter's hand in marriage to the wisest in the village who could identify the first moment of Daybreak. The son told his father about this and his father advised him to not look towards the east where the sun was Rising but instead to the opposite in the West. Unsure why, the son did exactly as his father said and immediately noticed the sunlight gleaming on the clouds to the West and declared it before anyone looking to the east would notice. When the nobleman asked how he came up with such a plan, the son admitted that she had protected his father who had given him the advice. The nobleman then declared that the Shapsug where to end their tradition and allow the elderly to be protected and respected for their wisdom.

[lakeshagadson]

they need to teach me folktales in group litercy

[macolof]

I love your videos not just for the content, which is excellent, but also for the soothing tone of your voice. Like for many, anxiety can really squeeze and suffocate, but listening to your soft voice really has a calming effect. I would love to hear you read stories, audiobooks etc. Thank you

[lesliemoiseauthor]

As a folklorist and published writer, I was so excited to see this. I love how the various forms provide templates for writers.

[Jasonwolf]

A folktare I've long loved, and adapted to my own setting is the story of Jack O'Lantern. A classic warning tale about trying to just outsmart every problem, instead of facing the consequences.

Like Jack, Direk of Aerlain was a trickster, but he was no drunk. He was a storyteller and sage, a collector of knowledge. When it was his time to die, the sage, knowing Death's nature as a fellow keeper of stories, made a final request. He would ask to share his entire life story with Death, who was more than intirgued in the sage's tale. When the sage finished speaking, Death rose to take him, but the Sage simply held up a hand,

"My story has not ended yet. I still breath do I not? I still speak do I not? You cannot kill me until my story is done."

Death nodded, and turned away, "Very well, but know the best stories know when to end."

The sage walked away thinking himself clever. His sense of pride began to wane, and unease grow when he noticed he couldn't sleep, a small thruuming throughout his body made it impossible. Still he managed and pressed on. Years passed and the sage realized he had not aged. Soon it was decades, and the sage could no longer continue. Those he knew had grown old and died. His works were seen as outdated and replaced. He pleaded with Death, that his story was over.

Death replied, "Your story has just begun. Go, live the life you clung to so preciously. When the mountains fall, the seas dry, the very ground crumbles from under your feet, the last spark of energy dies, when there are no more stories to tell. Then we will reach The End."

[erinparry-bennee]

There’s something so magical about folktales. Great video, I love all these collaborations between you two!

[paperboy]

A large inspiration for my projects are myths and folk tales! From characters, to concepts, to names and symbolism, it’s all over my writing if you know how to look.

Edit: I had to think on my favorite folk tale for a bit and I think I have to settle for either The Snow Queen or The Creation tale from Philippine folklore.

The former is a strange coming of age tale between a girl and a boy, focusing on the girl as she looked for the boy whisked away by the Snow Queen who had hypnotized him.

The latter is one from my grandparents’ homeland about how groups/tribes of people came to be with their cultures via salt and clay.

[JoeWebb-TheStoryteller]

This is such a magical video! I love how it turned out :D

[joehebert]

That was fabulous. Very thought provoking.

[barbarabunn]

Thank you. My favorite folktale is about a king with no children who presents a challenge to the children of the kingdom. The child that can grow the nicest flower from the seed they are given in the next year will become king/queen. The seeds were previously boiled and were unproductive. It tested honesty and humility in a way that children can understand. Children these days go through so much with their peers about what is expected at that age by the child and his peers. The reward comes when the child doesn't give in to this as his peers did. I enjoyed this and will look up Joe Webb. Thanks again I do love your tutorials.

[lillydevil]

Could you possibly do a video on character flaws? <3

[cjpreach]

"Enchanting Education" - that's what I just experienced. Brava, Diane.

[irene]

I'm so happy every time you upload a new video. THANKS! 😃

[luisac]

Thank you!! My favorite days are the ones where you post a video

[zhadebarnet]

Cannot effectively convey how much i loved this video ❤

[prof.toussaintosborne]

This channel produces so much great and useful information.

[gnarthdarkanen]

While I usually scour for creatures and characters from Folklore, even more than the stories themselves, finding their concepts useful to exemplify a visual or dramatic personification of the very virtues or vices in question... There is one, off the top of my head, I have grown rather fond of over the years...

It's about a Buddhist monastery, and a brotherhood of monks that live there. The elder among them has been around for decades, and his struggles to continue keeping up with the other brothers and the goings on have gotten markedly more difficult. Everyone knew what was coming, and the decisions that had to be made, but he was a fine leader, and they didn't want to rush him. Deep down, each one of them wanted the position when he was gone, and somewhere in there, they knew the concepts of envy and pride were the kinds of things he'd almost certainly notice for any of them bringing up the subject. Other than occasional murmurs when a couple of them might argue about who's responsibilities were already larger or were being more keenly or efficiently seen to... If you've ever known any group of adults in a communal living arrangement, it's not hard to understand that even monks with their vows aren't so much freed from the same kinds of conversations...

Nevertheless, a day comes when the Elder declares over breakfast that he's arrived at the consideration that he needs to choose his replacement so training can begin. It might not be inhumanly complicated, but duties are duties. He thought it only fair to forewarn someone of their new arrangements and what it entails before he dies. The others mostly hastened to assure him of their patience about his choice, and that he still had time in this life. He could take his time to pick among them. He was quick to assure them that there would be a test, and he could only make his choice upon everyone's completion. It wouldn't take long.

SO he calls the first of the seven to a small room, and in the middle of the room is a vase resting quietly on a small stool. It was a fine vase for the purposes, but plain and unspectacular. This was a monastery, after all, and humility was practiced in all aspects, including in the decorative possessions kept there.

"What can you tell me about this vase?" The Elder asked simply of the brother, a wave of his hand gesturing to the very vase on the stool...

One by one, each of the brothers waxed or waned, they explained and analyzed through rhetoric, lyrics, and poetry. Each one explored the various aspects of the care of the craftsman who must've created it, or the grace and symmetry of its form and the delicacy of its material. They admired it's mystery and the careful manipulations of positive and negative space... even finding a profound eloquence and beauty in the decision not to so much as add glaze before firing it, so it didn't even glisten in the light...

AND then, the last brother, the Cook, was sent into the room. A ladle was dripping and still steaming in his hand as he reluctantly trudged in and glared down at the Elder and the Vase.

"What can YOU tell me about this vase, Brother Cook?" The Elder wanted to know, and waved his hand as with the others.

The Cook glared to the vase and back to the Elder a time or two, and then snatched the vase up with a grunt and hurled it against the wall, where it exploded into thousands of pieces. "I can tell you I've got soup foaming up and about to drown out the fire!" AND he promptly whirled and left the room.

At dinner, the Elder announced, the Cook would be his replacement, and training would begin as soon as he found someone to help in the kitchen...

{For those who don't know... In Buddhism, while they do practice meditation and lean heavily into growing one's consciousness, they also stress NOT to press for so much development as to deny the ordinary and daily aspects... chopping wood, carrying water, or taking care of yourself.}

BUT... yeah, I've always rather enjoyed the telling, no matter who retells it. It IS allowed to be a fun tale. ;o)

[fulldivemedia]

You are such a good natured person, I wish you a long happy life ^^

[rodgilley-writer]

This video was incredibly entertaining! Educational as well. The two of you did an amazing job of blending entertainment and knowledge. Very well done!!!