Summary

The website content encourages modern writers to draw inspiration from Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol by exploring various adaptations and suggesting the creation of new, contemporary versions of the classic tale.

Abstract

The article "Writers: Take Inspiration from Charles Dickens!" discusses the enduring influence of Dickens' A Christmas Carol on modern fiction, highlighting several film adaptations that have reimagined the story in different settings and eras. It mentions movies like "The Ghosts of Girlfriends Past," "The Man Who Invented Christmas," "Scrooged," "A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong," and an animated version by Disney, each offering a unique twist on the original narrative. The piece challenges writers to consider how they might reinterpret the classic in today's world of smartphones and global connectivity, suggesting that there are countless ways to retell the story, from changing the setting and characters to altering the plot entirely. The article concludes with a call to writers to experiment with the tale's elements and create fresh, engaging narratives that resonate with modern audiences.

Opinions

The author, Susie Kearley, expresses a personal appreciation for adaptations of A Christmas Carol, particularly those that offer new perspectives on the classic story.
Kearley finds the 2009 film "The Ghosts of Girlfriends Past" to be an interesting modern interpretation, especially in its portrayal of the protagonist's transformation.
The author views "The Man Who Invented Christmas" as a compelling exploration of Charles Dickens' creative process and the origins of his famous Christmas tale.
While acknowledging the various adaptations, Kearley admits to not being a fan of "A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong," suggesting it may not appeal to everyone's sense of humor.
The article suggests that the key to successful adaptations lies in the portrayal of the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future, which are central to every retelling.
Kearley encourages writers to think creatively about how to adapt A Christmas Carol for contemporary or futuristic settings, emphasizing the potential for innovation in storytelling.
The author's enthusiasm for the subject is clear, as she invites writers to explore the classic tale's themes and characters in new and exciting ways.

Writers: Take Inspiration from Charles Dickens!

Modern fiction based on classic tales

Image from Dickens’ A Christmas Carol — Date 1915, from Wikimedia Commons. Public domain.

Have you ever felt inspired to write a work of fiction inspired by the classics? Your own version of Scrooge, or a modern interpretation of Frankenstein, perhaps?

Some of my favourite adaptations of classic literature are based on Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.

The 2009 movie The Ghosts of Girlfriends Past follows Connor, a womaniser, as he’s visited by ghosts of the past, present and future. The spirits explore his pursuit of meaningless relationships and shallow lifestyle. When he sees what he’s missing by avoiding commitment in relationships, he starts to regret his decisions.

His future is lonely and miserable, with just one mourner at his funeral. Connor decides to change his ways and reconciles with his first love.

In 2017, The Man Who Invented Christmas was released, exploring the Christmas Carol story through the life of Charles Dickens. In the movie, Dickens is lacking inspiration and struggling to come up with ideas. Then he finds inspiration from a group of children telling ghost stories and by miserable misers he sees around him.

The experiences combine to give him an idea for a Christmas ghost story and the character of Scrooge. You see how the story comes together and the characters fall into place.

The 1988 movie Scrooged, starring Bill Murray, follows a profit-obsessed businessman in the 1980s, who is visited by three ghosts. It’s all set in a modern television studio, with all the trappings of modern life.

The Scrooge character pushes away his girlfriend because he’s too busy making money. The ghosts are a little different from the original Dicken’s tale, with a gruesome zombie taxi driver as the ghost of Christmas past.

A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong (2017) is a theatrical production that tells the tale of a Christmas dramatics production that descends into mayhem. All very silly, with some ridiculous antics. Probably an acquired taste — not my kind of humour.

The ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future are key to every adaptation. There have been many straight retellings too, from a musical adaptation called Scrooge, to retellings of the original story. Here’s Scrooge, the musical!

There are even animated films of the Christmas Carol story, including one with the voice of Jim Carrey by Disney — I haven’t seen this one yet!

Modern writers draw from the classic literature in many different ways. Some do straight rewrites, telling the original story in modern prose. Some change the time or the place, adding a new twist. Others change the characters and the location. Some change the plot!

How would you tackle a modern retelling of A Christmas Carol in a world of smart phones and global connectivity? Could you turn this old classic into a modern day, or even futuristic tale?

Think of a new setting for Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol story. What would your three ghosts reveal?