Steps to Writing a Frame Narrative

Christine Bartsch reports:

"A frame story, also referred to in literature as a frame narrative, is in essence a story within a story. These tales involve a narrator in one setting telling another story that takes place in a different time and place...When writing with a narrative frame, the complexity of juggling multiple settings, time periods and characters requires careful planning and a deliberate structure...Even in its simplest form, the structure of a frame story is more complex tha[n] a straightforward tale with a linear beginning, middle and end. This complexity adds needless confusion to the story if there isn’t a clear reason behind the frame narrative structure. However, in many stories, the frame narrative structure is vital to the telling of the story. When writing a frame narrative, you must first determine why the structure is necessary...Picking a point of view is only one aspect to consider when determining which character should act as narrator. You must also consider how the narrator's presence in the frame story affects the main story...Frame story narrators also require special consideration in regard to their reliability as storytellers...Given the complexity of telling stories within stories, it becomes necessary to first fully structure each story independently before weaving them together into one tale. If not, story details become lost or neglected, leaving the reader confused. Writing each narrative as its own independent story also reveals any plot holes and allows you to see how each story builds and arcs, as well as revealing redundant story beats. This exercise also helps to determine which character should tell each part of the story and when...Since the frame structure provides narrative distance from the events of the main story, the narrator is in a position to comment on and give meaning to the tale being relayed secondhand. This commentary can be interjected throughout the story, allowing the narrator to clarify and interpret the tale as he tells it, rather than saving all reflection and moralizing for the end. Narrator interjections may also be used to foreshadow impending events and update the reader on events unfolding in the frame story."