How to Write a Meta story

That’s so Meta? What in the world does this even mean? I feel so out of the loop. It’s one of those words that you’re like, yeah, okay and you have a sense of what it means, but when I think about it, I have no idea what they’re talking about.

So, let’s break it down. (I have a point that’s connected to writing, I promise) According to dictionary.com Meta means:

1. pertaining to or noting a story, conversation, character, etc., that consciously references or comments upon its own subject or features, often in the form of parody:
2. pertaining to or noting an abstract, high-level analysis or commentary, especially one that consciously references something of its own type.

noun

1. a consciously and playfully self-referential story, conversation, etc.:
2. an abstract, high-level analysis or commentary

Photo by J Meza Photography on Unsplash

So, it is self-aware in a way. Thinking of it that way you could look at all stories as being Meta because the story should be self-aware. All the elements need to be aware of one another to weave a meaningful story but that might be stretching. But the idea of a Meta story, I think, needs to be utilized more. Tell me if you’ve had this conversation with yourself: