Frame It Up: Experiments in Short Story Structure

 

By Shelley Burbank

Cliff overhanging Gun Beach, Tumon Bay, Guam

I drafted a short story last summer when I was in Maine. I wanted to write a short crime narrative about my female private investigator character, Olivia Lively. Because I was visiting at a home with no internet, I drafted the story by hand on yellow paper. The solstice inspired me to use June's full moon as part of the setting, and the title Strawberry Moon Mystery seemed perfect.

It took me three tries over the course of a day and night, but I finished the draft at 3 a.m. A few days later, I went back to California where I began to transcribe it into a Google doc. However, I failed to get it all typed up before I came back to Maine and then on to Guam. I figured once I got settled, I'd finish typing it and then work on revising and polishing and maybe even submit it somewhere. (Or offer it as a lead magnet to find new readers for my two books.)

I'm excited about this one because I wrote Strawberry Moon as a frame story. 

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When taking photos, it's sometimes fun to create a "frame" in the foreground in order to highlight something in the background. This creates interest in the whole, as in the above photo I took on Gun Beach. The overhanging cliff hovers over the dimpled sand while framing the blue-green seawater and dark rocks beyond. 

Stories are structured in many different ways, and we writers like to experiment with various plot devices and structures. One of my favorites is the "frame narrative." 

You are probably most familiar with frame narratives in classic literature. The Canterbury Tales collects 24 different stories under one umbrella, or frame, story: Travelling companions amusing each other by telling stories along the way. The Thousand and One Nights is another collection set in one frame. 

Sometimes the frame contains just one story, or perhaps even a story that frames a third story. (I'm giddy just thinking about it!) 

I've experimented with frame stories a few times. Once, I wrote a lengthy short story for a class I was auditing at the University of Maine. The class was Native American & Immigrant Literature and was taught by Rhea Cote Robbins. I wrote about a modern-day character who is told a story by an elder. Within that story was another story. It was complex and probably a little clunky, but I received positive comments from the instructor and like to think there's some good material in there. I'll revisit it someday as I think it would make a good "novel in stories" like Alice Hoffman's The Red Garden.

A second frame-writing adventure wasn't planned. I inadvertently used a frame when I drafted a novel with a very dramatic opening scene which set up the conflict for the main character. I then decided the events leading up to that moment were important enough to include in the narrative. I had a choice: weave in backstory in dribs and drabs or, in the next chapter, go back in time to tell the story chronologically until the events led up to the original scene--which really was the inciting incident for my character's developmental arc and thus the best place to start--and then continue on to the end. 

I did it, but I was never totally happy with it. 

On a second draft, I tried writing the book beginning to end chronologically, but it transformed the story into a different genre, from women's fiction to romance. That's not what I wanted. I wanted the story to be about my heroine's journey, her challenges and growth, not focused on the romantic relationship even though that relationship incited the change she was forced to make in order to thrive. 

No one ever said writing was easy. Stories are puzzles. All the pieces have to fit, and fitting works best when you build in the right order. Figuring out the right order, now, that's the real challenge. 

***

This brings me to the drafting of Strawberry Moon Mystery, the short story I wrote on yellow paper in Maine. Here, Liv goes to a party to celebrate the publication of her client's latest novel and the successful defense of her authorship following a plagiarism claim. Trouble is, Liv felt something was off even though she investigated for the defense. The end brings the missing pieces to light. In the middle, though, I tell the story of her investigation in chronological order from initial client meeting to final report and settling of the claim. 

Now, I could revise and start at that beginning when Liv is approached to do background investigation for the client, make my way to the night of the party, and get to that ending payout scene. But I kind of like the frame. The opening scene of the party being held at a Victorian "cottage" on the coast of Maine, a full Strawberry Moon rising over the sea, and Liv's queasy feeling that something isn't quite right makes me happy. 

I'm hoping it piques the reader's interest, as well. 

However--plot twist--somewhere in between San Diego and Maine and Guam I've misplaced my handwritten draft! Remember, I never did get the whole thing transcribed. I can sort of remember the basics, but I've lost the details. 

Will this author be able to finish her piece? Stay tuned for updates. 

Comfort Reading, Writing and Viewing

 by Sybil Johnson

I recently had a discussion with someone about what kinds of shows and movies brought comfort. Hallmark movies were at the top of their list. While I do enjoy many Hallmark movies (not all alike, btw), my go-to when the world is getting me down is...serial killer documentaries. Don’t know why this is. It probably says loads about me psychologically. Not sure I want anyone to analyze that!

I also find comfort in old episodes of Dark Shadows, baking competition shows and documentaries on ancient history, especially Ancient Egypt. A particular favorite that gives me great comfort is “A Caribbean Mystery”, the version with Helen Hayes as Miss Marple. Also, I adore "Kong: Skull Island'.

In terms of reading, I lean towards cozies, particularly series I’ve read before. I find great comfort in familiar settings and characters. Nonfiction is also a go-to for me as long as it’s not about current events. I lean toward books on history and linguistics.

Writing can also be a comforting activity, particularly writing fiction. I think this is because, as the writer, I have control over every aspect of the story. 

What books and TV shows/movies bring you comfort? Do you find writing comforting:

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In other news, I got to participate in an event at Vroman’s Bookstore in Pasadena, CA for “Angel City Beat”, the Sisters in Crime/LA anthology that I have a story in. It was hosted by the wonderful Naomi Hirahara. She did a great job. Fun was had by all. Here are the authors who were able to attend. 

 

The Smerchek Museum

By Charlotte Hinger

A  while back Michael Chandos broke my heart with his account of determining what to do with his grandfather's war memorabilia. I am so nostalgic about historical artifacts that I nearly volunteered to store them myself. 

I'm sorting through family stuff. My mother's side of the family is Czechoslovakian. Originally from Moravia. We have information going back to the 1700s although my grandparent's generation didn't migrate until the 1800s. There is a fabulous family scrapbook that has been scanned and distributed to all the descendants.


I've taken in a lot of my family's "treasures" simply because I can't stand to throw it away. I have my grandmother's wedding dress from 1900. It is exquisite and the shoulders are about the size of an American Girl doll. I've always referred to them as the "wee Smercheks"


Aunt Helen was an artist. Above is a picture she painted that I've labeled "The Path." I do love it and hung it about my sofa. Her portrait of a farmstead is above my dining room table. It's very well done and she had a great sense of perspective.

Some time ago, I posted a photo of my great-grandmother's rocking chair. A gentleman from my church refinished it and when the mood strikes us, some of my friends are coming over to help with the webbing so I can complete the upholstery. 

The picture above is that of the seven Smerchek sons who arrived from Bohemia in the 1800s. 

Michael is right. The younger generation takes a more minimal approach. They won't be troubled by this compulsion to cling to family memorabilia.