Retelling Shakespeare’s plays in a new way is a writerly tradition. With the new West Side Story, we’re even getting remakes of retellings! In an article for Writer’s Digest, Alana Quintana Albertson, author of Ramón and Julieta (a reimagining of guess which play?), offers ten tips for reusing Shakespeare’s stories in a fresh way. They include:
- Read the original. This editor hopes you’ve read some already, but if not, read some of the plays. Understand the characters and look for elements that intrigue you.
- Watch an adaptation. Shakespeare is meant to be performed live. As you watch, pay attention to what you’re feeling. What may you laugh, cry, cringe? Try to capture those emotions in your story.
- Think it through. To be sure you don’t waste time on a project like this, time to think about what you want to say before you start writing. Do you have something fresh to bring to the table? Can you make it personal? Is there a part you want to reinvent?
- Pre-write. Make a list of the elements you want to keep and what you want to add or change.
- Plot. In a re-telling, your plot will resemble the original, but doesn’t have to be a copy. For modern audiences, plan out your characters’ motivations and goals, as well as the conflicts and character arcs. It was fine for Shakespeare to withhold the backstory of the Capulet/Montague feud, but your readers will probably want something more, especially if you are updating the era.
