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Q&A Will it push away a reader if I start my book with the frame story?

Like any similar technique the outcome of using a frame story depends on the quality of the execution. If the frame ties well to the main narrative and the switch in perspective makes sense to the...

posted 6y ago by motosubatsu‭  ·  last activity 5y ago by System‭

Answer
#4: Attribution notice removed by user avatar System‭ · 2019-12-13T15:32:54Z (almost 5 years ago)
Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/40526
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
#3: Attribution notice added by user avatar System‭ · 2019-12-08T10:18:01Z (almost 5 years ago)
Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/40526
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
#2: Initial revision by (deleted user) · 2019-12-08T10:18:01Z (almost 5 years ago)
Like any similar technique the outcome of using a frame story depends on the quality of the execution.

If the frame ties well to the main narrative and the switch in perspective makes sense to the reader - IMO it also needs to bring value to the telling of the main narrative. Whether that's simply to set tone or whether it's to provide the reader with knowledge or perspective that the main narrative's point of view is unable to do cleanly but that is required to properly appreciate the main narrative.

The important thing is to ask yourself _why_ you are doing the frame - and what the main narrative loses if left without it.

#1: Imported from external source by user avatar System‭ · 2018-12-05T11:49:12Z (almost 6 years ago)
Original score: 1