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Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/36748
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/36748
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

I never use flashback, I always use a frame, so obviously I think that works better.

There are several ways to use a frame; as a report to a superior, a story to a friend or lover, explaining something to a new acquaintance, business or work partner, or lover, even a letter or briefing: Your MC reads a letter, or attends a briefing, that informs them of a situation they must address. In Star Wars, the hologram of Princess Leia is one such framing:

> General Kenobi. Years ago, you served my father in the Clone Wars. Now he begs you to help him in his struggle against the Empire. I regret that I am unable to present my father's request to you in person, but my ship has fallen under attack and I'm afraid my mission to bring you to Alderaan has failed. I have placed information vital to the survival of the Rebellion into the memory systems of this R2 unit. My father will know how to retrieve it. You must see this droid safely delivered to him on Alderaan. This is our most desperate hour. Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi. You're my only hope.  
> _Star Wars; 1977, George Lucas._

Such things can be used to increase intimacy (bring people closer together), or even cause a rift (drive them apart). In this case, this new knowledge causes Luke to refuse this call to action, to Obi-Wan's chagrin. (Obviously not for long).

**_That Said,_** +1 Mark:

> ## Darkness and danger are not interesting unless they happen to someone we care about.

All of my stories open with the main character doing relatively unimportant things and dealing with a relatively unimportant issue, as my route to introducing the reader to the MC, who has a problem (so there will be **some** conflict to sustain reader interest) but in a non-life threatening situation: Their status quo world. That is how I get them into the story, not with a flash-bang, which I found always falls flat. You can do that pretty quick, just not (for a novel or movie with all new characters) in the first 5% of the story; typically not in the first 10%.

Original score: 1