Nested Loops: Stories Within Stories
The Princess Bride begins with a grandfather reading a book to his sick grandson. Inside that book is the story of Westley and Buttercup. But that story contains another story-the legend of the Dread Pirate Roberts. Three stories, nested inside each other like Russian dolls. This technique-nested loop narrative-is one of the most elegant ways to add depth, resonance, and meaning to your stories. But it’s also one of the easiest to mess up. ...