Girl on Her Own Horse

Have you been paying attention to the evolution of the Cinderella story? If you’ve watched the Disney blockbuster, Frozen, then you have. Young girls and women are no longer waiting around for a man to come by on his horse, sweep them off their feet, and give them shoes.

Okay, I doubt any of us would turn down the shoes!

My point is that women are now taking the reins of their own stories and rejecting the Cinderella trope of changing themselves into someone new. In many, dare I say most, of these stories the prince doesn’t pay attention to the Cinderella character in her ordinary world of working 9-5pm with grime under her nails and threadbare clothes. He doesn’t look her way until she gets magicked into expertly applied makeup, a binding, shape-shifting corset, and brand new shoes.

My first notice of this was in the film Working Girl. This 80’s retelling of the Cinderella story featured a bright secretary who had dreams of entering the boardroom with a briefcase instead of coffee. When her wicked boss steals her idea, the secretary seizes an opportunity to steal into a high profile business meeting by pretending that she’s her boss, while also wearing her boss’s dress and shoes. Melanie Griffith, as the secretary, uses Harrison Ford’s charming character to get her into the board room’s door. When the business deal goes south, Griffith doesn’t wait for the knight in a business suite to rescue her. Instead, she shows off her ‘head for business and bod for sin’ in order to win a business deal, thwart her boss, and get her man.

A decade later Drew Barrymore retold the Cinderella story in Ever After. In a pivotal scene when Barrymore’s character, Danielle, has been taken prisoner by the evil Pierre Le Pieu, the audience holds their breath as the prince leaps onto his horse and heads off to rescue her. But Danielle picks up not one, but two swords, and swashbuckles her way to an escape. As she’s walking out of the castle a free woman, the prince arrives moments too late with her shoe in hand.

Nearly another decade later came another retelling with Penelope. Penelope is an heiress born under a curse that can only be broken in the face of true love. The problem? Penelope’s face doesn’t inspire sonnets and poems as much as it does a hankering for breakfast meats. Penelope’s snout nose has caused her to be rejected her whole life, including rejection from her own mother. When she finally finds a man willing to tolerate her looks and break the curse, she comes to the realization that she likes herself just the way she is. And just like that, the curse is broken and Penelope’s outside matches her glowing inside.

In today’s stories, women don’t wait around for men on horses. They take the reins, defend themselves, and declare love to their own reflections. They’re now even qualified to deliver true love’s kiss to their own sisters as we saw in the blockbuster Frozen.

So what's a hero to do?

EVER AFTER

The shift towards heroines who are self-reliant and empowered, as opposed to traditional damsels in distress, has become increasingly prevalent.

In "Ever After," for example, Danielle de Barbarac is portrayed as a heroine who is not just waiting for a prince to rescue her. She is intelligent, resourceful, and possesses a strength of character that enables her to navigate and overcome the challenges she faces. This portrayal deviates from the classic Cinderella archetype, where the protagonist is often passive and reliant on external forces for her salvation.

This trend reflects broader social changes, where there's a growing emphasis on female empowerment and independence. Modern audiences often seek characters who mirror these values, preferring heroines who are active agents in their own stories rather than passive recipients of fate or rescue.

In the realm of romance writing, this evolution can be particularly impactful. It allows for richer, more complex character development and more dynamic relationship dynamics. Instead of a relationship being the sole resolution to the heroine's problems, it becomes a part of her journey, where she retains her agency and individuality.

Incorporating empowered heroines into your romance novels could add depth and resonate with contemporary readers who appreciate seeing strong, independent characters navigate love and life. It's a narrative choice that can make stories not just about finding love, but also about personal growth and empowerment.

PENELOPE

"Penelope" is a great example of this trend in modern fairytales where the heroine takes charge of her own destiny. In this 2006 film, Christina Ricci plays Penelope, a young woman cursed with the face of a pig. According to the curse, only the love of 'one of her own kind' can break it.

Traditionally, in fairytales, this would mean Penelope needs to find true love with a man who accepts her as she is. However, the film cleverly subverts this trope. Instead of relying on someone else's love to break the curse, Penelope learns to accept and love herself for who she is. This act of self-acceptance and self-love is what ultimately breaks the curse.

This narrative shift is significant in contemporary storytelling. It moves away from the idea that a woman needs to be saved or validated by external love, especially romantic love. Instead, it emphasizes the importance of self-empowerment, self-acceptance, and the idea that personal transformation and fulfillment come from within.

Incorporating such themes into your romance writing could add a layer of depth and empowerment, appealing to readers who value characters with agency and self-resilience. It also allows for a broader exploration of love, not just as a romantic concept but as a force for personal growth and self-acceptance. This approach can create more relatable, inspiring, and multifaceted characters, enriching the narrative and providing a fresh perspective on traditional romantic themes.

FROZEN

"Frozen" is indeed a standout example of how modern storytelling, especially in the context of fairytales and animated films, has shifted to highlight strong, independent female characters. This 2013 Disney film, inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's "The Snow Queen," focuses on the bond between two sisters, Elsa and Anna, which is a refreshing deviation from traditional fairytale narratives that often center around romantic love.

In "Frozen," the central theme is the love between the two sisters, rather than a romantic relationship. Elsa, the elder sister, struggles with her magical powers to control ice and snow, which she fears will harm others, especially her younger sister, Anna. Throughout the film, both characters exhibit strength, bravery, and determination. Anna's quest to find Elsa and save their kingdom from eternal winter, and Elsa's journey towards understanding and controlling her powers, highlight their individual growth and the strength of their sisterly bond.

This narrative choice emphasizes the idea that heroism and strength are not exclusively found in romantic relationships or male saviors. Instead, it showcases the power of familial love and the importance of self-acceptance. Elsa's journey, in particular, is about coming to terms with her identity and embracing her abilities, rather than seeking validation or rescue from a romantic partner.

In your romance writing, exploring themes of familial bonds and self-empowerment can add rich layers to the narrative. While romantic love is central to the genre, incorporating elements where characters find strength and validation within themselves or through non-romantic relationships can create more nuanced and relatable stories. This approach not only broadens the scope of traditional romance but also resonates with contemporary audiences who appreciate diverse representations of love and strength.