If you have a moment, Deb Salisbury is discussing her Writing Goals for 2011 for the Sisterhood blog. Have a look see!As for today's post, I got the idea for this post from Patti Lacy's blog. Her new book, The Rhythm of Secrets (now available on Amazon! Woot!) is a framed story.
*cracks knuckles*
Cool, huh?
Some well known framed stories include:
Canterbury Tales
Wuthering HeightsMary Shelley's Frankenstein
50 comments:
I guess the movie "Princess Bride" is kind of like a framed story, except it's a movie.
The novel I'm working on, STOTRY FOR A SHIPWRIGHT, is a framed story--a story within a story version. I guess you'll have to wait till it's published before you can add it to your list :)
How fascinating!!! I love it!! I'm going to go check out Patti's book so I can add it to my list!
My next YA book is a framed story. The first chapter takes place down the line, then the second chapter starts back in time to guide you to where the first chapter came from before continuing with the story. Chapter one introduces the story problem, which otherwise wouldn't show up until about half way into the book.
This isn't to be confused with the device that was used in Twilight, though. The prologue (or whatever it was called) was used to demonstrate that it had a gripping climax and to cover for a not-so- exciting chapter one. ;)
I guess if I read the definition correctly, my latest out to query is a framed story. Wow, who knew I could do something like that and I didn't even know what I was doing.
If done well, I love that concept and really enjoy movies or books set up like that. I love Catch Me if you Can with Leo DiCaprio. One of my favorites1
Heart of Darkness?
I love this literary device! I'd never dare use it so yay for Patti Lacy!!!
Take care
x
It's like the dream within a dream sequence, LOL!
Nice post! :D
For a middle grade book, WHERE THE MOUNTAIN MEETS THE MOON by Grace Lin is a framed story.
(So is the book I am working on right now, out in 2012...The Seven Tales of Trinket!)
Shelley
I have never heard of this type of writing before--very cool!
First it was False Documents and now Framed Stories, I learn something new every time I visit your blog Lydia :)
I love framed stories--they give me a feeling that I'm sitting by the fire and the narrator is telling me a story (especially Wuthering Heights--you need to imagine sitting by a fire when you read that book...cold, rainy moors...icky/brrrr).
I enjoy reading framed stories. Of course I'm drawing a blank on any other titles :)
I haven't thought of this. Thanks for bringing it up. Must ponder.
Wuthering Heights - love!!
"The Usual Suspects" (sort of).
One of my WiPs that I haven't worked on in over a year is a framed story--it's a fun but sometimes complicated thing to write!
The Princess Bride is also a book, so it is a framed story!
I've never read Wuthering Heights, but I had no idea it was a framed story. I will still never read it (most likely), but now I have more ammunition to pretend like I have :).
I guess I am aware of the concept, but didn't know the term "framed story." Oh, the things I learn on your blog! :)
A few years ago, my son begged me to read "Holes", but I dragged my feet. Then the movie came out and I was really intrigued with how they framed two comletely different stories, then brought them together at the end. I thought it was brilliant and went right home and tried it out. It was so fun! Now, I love reading framed stories! Great blog!
If done well, this technique can be so powerful and memorable. The one framed story that's in my head is Shakespeare's TAMING OF THE SHREW -- which is rather a play within a play. :)
My short story "Hellebore" is sort of a framed story. It's a fun format because you can connect the two seperate story lines with themes and other fancy things. :)
Another famous author who used this technique was William Shakespeare in TAMING OF THE SHREW; although he never finished the story he used to frame the story of the Shrew. Some people have guessed he never intended to complete that story, while others believe he decided not to after finishing the story about the Shrew b/c it was strong enough to stand on its own. Still, others would argue the piece, as a whole, was never actually completed.
Another famous author who used this technique was William Shakespeare in TAMING OF THE SHREW; although he never finished the story he used to frame the story of the Shrew. Some people have guessed he never intended to complete that story, while others believe he decided not to after finishing the story about the Shrew b/c it was strong enough to stand on its own. Still, others would argue the piece, as a whole, was never actually completed.
I haven't tried the technique myself, but it is an appealing idea. Cool!
I have enough trouble with un-framed stories! :) I can see myself getting turned around... and around... and around...
Interesting concept, though.
Wow, I never even knew what they were! That is cool! With the mentions I completely get what you mean. I'd love to try writing one some day!
Framed stories are a fantastic medium with so much potential and surprisingly little representation. You should get on that Lydia!
Hey, what a complex yet cool idea! There are probably many variations and varying complexities of it, too. Happy Wednesday to ya!
Sounds like a challenge, I need to give it a try sometime.
Now I'm curious. I have never heard of this term before. ANd I want to read Patti's latest book!
JRM loves these. I'm pretty sure those Quicksilver (Neal Stephenson) books are frame stories. I haven't read them. nerds~ ;p <3
Interesting concept--I'm going to have to get more familiar with it! Thanks for bringing the subject up :-)
Princess Bride is a great example! So's Edward Scissorhands.
Actually, my first book (the one currently on the shelf collecting dust) utilized a bit of this technique. Ironically, it was a sequence of blog post that told a story. :)
I never knew that is what they were called. Canterbury Tales was my favorite high school read!
That's why I love your blog--you teach me new stuff every week! :)
I've never heard of this. I'm so excited to find another new, interesting book. :)
Actually, I think a framed story would be really fun to write. It's something to think about....
The Book of One Thousand and One Nights!
hi miss lydia! wow more cool stuff for me to learn. i didnt ever hear of it but now i know what it is and for sure i read books and saw movies thats got it.
...hugs from lenny
Gosh I'd never heard that term before, interesting :O)
I have thought about writing one, but I don't have any good ideas for one; just the idea that i want to do one at some point.
THE MONSTRUMOLOGIST is a framed story, I think, if the way it starts is any hint. You should check it out. The first two chapters are awesome, but I already had so many books on the go I had to put it on top of my TBR pile.
The Book Thief. Top of mind because I read it recently...It's narrated by Death, with stories of a girl in Nazi Germany. It's a good read, if you haven't picked it up already.
Huh, I guess my newest ms fits that "framework" *groans at own bad joke*
Framed stories aren't common, and I think that's what makes them fun. I'll check out the Rhythm of Secrets -- sounds interesting!
Framed stories. Never heard that term used before but by your explanation i can see Wuthering Heights and Frankenstein fitting that mould. So interesting. It would be good to try it.
If any of your readers here missed N R Williams' blog tour because of the time difference (I posted late) it is now up:
The Treasures of Carmelidrium blog tour
Thanks Lydia.
Denise :)
I like how James Hilton's Lost Horizon and the tale of Shangri La was framed by a skillful Prologue and Epilogue.
Hi Lydia. It's been awhile since I've been here. Thanks for your comment on L'Aussie's Flashquake blog about my post. I appreciate it.
Nancy
N. R. Williams, fantasy author
The League of Five, my junior high reading club, was given birth by a framed novel : BEAU GESTE. So framed stories have always been near and dear to my heart, Roland
hello!
Great post - I like
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