Fables are among the stories that have existed from the ancient times along with myths, legends, and epics. Like hand-me-downs, fables are also being passed on to generations after generations either through oral tradition or written pieces. These tales are made up of lessons that aim to teach both children and adults in the easiest and entertaining ways possible. The common lessons that these stories contain are those significant values in life, such as courage, kindness, bravery, thoughtfulness, patience, forgiveness, etc. They also convey themes about family, friendship, love, and more.
What also makes fable a notable aspect of literature is its use of animals, forces of nature, and inanimate objects as characters, which makes it more enjoyable to read. Children are usually the target readers of fables but little did they know that adults also read fables no matter how old they get. The morals that these tales implant to the minds of the readers are the most significant factor why they are still being patronized until this moment.
People who write fables are referred to as fabulists. Aesop is among the most prominent fabulist in the avenue of literature with works that have been read by children from all over the world and in different times. But everyone can be a fabulist; all it takes is the will to write and the motivation to teach people values that they often overlooked. If you want to write a fable, specifically a modern one, then worry not! Written below are the steps that will guide you on how to write a modern fable.
Determine the lesson to be conveyed in the story
Know what your story is all about. Every tale is unique in its own little way. All you need to do is to identify what lesson you want your fable to center on and send to the readers. It can be the usual lessons, such as happiness, honesty, love, and patience. You can add some twists and turns so that the moral will have more substance than it ought to have. Aside from the common virtues that almost all fables possess, you may also incorporate the issues that the society is facing today and make your story an instrument to educate the readers and make an impact to their lives.
Outline the plot and other necessary elements
Outlining is necessary for it serves as the framework of your fable. Crafting an outline is not difficult for bullet points and phrases will do as long as the thought is there. The plot is consist of five aspects, which are the introduction, rising action, climax, falling action, and exposition. You may write these elements as subtopics and proceed on putting the details to each of them. Afterward, include the other important elements of the story, such as characters, conflict, setting, and theme. Pay attention even to the tiniest detail of each factor so that you can craft an engaging and beautiful story.
Let the characters do their job
Characters are always among the most crucial elements a tale must possess. They are not mere decorations your story, instead they are the ones that move your tale forward. Regardless of what your chosen characters are — inanimate objects, animals, or etc., you must always give them the power to complete your piece. Give them life, let them live, and watch them fulfill their purposes. Without you knowing it, you have already molded an inspiring character that will touch millions of lives in the future.
Make the necessary fixes
Proofreading is always necessary. It is like wiping the windows twice because you want the glass to look clearer and shinier. So, conduct a run-through on your masterpiece in order to spot some errors that need editing, such as spelling mistakes, grammar errors, etc. You can also make others read your draft so that you will know if your fable is captivating enough. With this tactic, you can edit some parts to make sure that all elements of your story perfectly fit each other and that there are no plot holes.
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