Implementing framing devices in novels

Hi Writer's Block Tropers!

I'm writing a historical fantasy novel that makes somewhat extensive use of a frame story structure. I've got some parts in the middle of the novel written, but I've wrestled with the opening for some time.

I haven't seen framing devices that often in more contemporary literature, but many of the older stories I've read and enjoyed feature it. Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is the first one that comes to mind.

As I'm roughing out the first chapter, and thus officially setting up the frame story I have planned out, I found myself wondering if anyone here had any thoughts on frame stories, or any advice they'd be willing to share. If you've used a framing device in anything you've written, is it something you'd be up for discussing?

Thanks guys!

I havent used one myself, but some relatively recent examples I can think of include Anne Rice's "Interview with the Vampire", Isaic Asimov's "Foundation" trilogy, and, of course, "The Princess Bride".

The Laundry Files does it quite well, especially with the later novels: they're presented as Bob's (informal) service memoirs. This means that when needed, in-universe documents can be inserted or excerpted, a practice I'm personally quite fond of. Interestingly, there are also segments when the POV shifts away from Bob—which is when many characters sound subtly different, including Bob himself when he shows up. (Stross has hinted that Bob's not entirely reliable as a narrator; the next book out is from the POV of his wife, and should prove interesting in the contrasts.)