Turning Stories Upside Down: What Wicked Teaches Us About Creative Storytelling.

Let’s Explore How Wicked Inspires Us to Create Impactful Content

Yesterday, I shared a piece about the concept of Spolia, I highlighted examples of content that we all know and love that use this concept as a frame work.

If you’re not familiar, it’s a concept from architecture where builders repurpose fragments of older structures—like columns, bricks, or statues—and incorporate them into something new. It’s about honoring what came before while creating something fresh and innovative. But Spolia isn’t just for cathedrals or Roman ruins. It’s a mindset that can transform how we approach storytelling and content creation.

If you’ve seen the movie Wicked—or caught the Broadway show—you’ve witnessed Spolia in action. It takes the iconic Wizard of Oz universe, flips it on its head, and gives us a story that’s both familiar and radically new. It’s not just a prequel or a rehash. It’s a masterclass in how to draw inspiration from an existing work while creating something with its own identity.

And here’s the thing: you can do the same with your content, and I want to inspire you to approach this concept intentionally and guilt-free.

The Art of Borrowing Without Copying

One of the best things about Wicked is how it reimagines a beloved classic. Elphaba (the Wicked Witch of the West) becomes a complex, misunderstood hero. The world of Oz isn’t all sparkly roads and happy endings—it’s political, messy, and layered. Gregory Maguire, who wrote the book the musical is based on, didn’t copy The Wizard of Oz. He built on it, exploring untold stories and asking “what if?”

Think about your favorite content creators, writers, or artists. Chances are, they’re not pulling ideas out of thin air. They’re drawing from what they love; things that inspired them, made them think, or moved them, and remixing those influences into something uniquely theirs.

This is Spolia in storytelling. And it’s not “cheating.” It’s resourceful. It’s smart. It’s how creative worlds expand.

I have put together a lesson to help you create better content… log in if you are part of the Siembra Connect or join for free if this is your first time here.