To Prologue or Not to Prologue?

Sunshine13 · Aug 6, 2008

Simple subject line.

My original first chapter started 3 years prior to the second chapter. I ended up cutting it out and starting My first chapter where I started in the 2nd chapter (sticking with me here?)

Anyway, it was mentioned perhaps to have my old Ch. 1 as a prologue. Thoughts on this? I've never been a prologue reader/writer. And I'm writing the rest of the ms as if it didn't have the prologue so you wouldn't have to read it to get everything, but I wondered anyways.

??

kzmiller · Aug 6, 2008

Anything that you can cut, do. I'd say leave it out if you can do without it. The important thing is that if the earlier material has a stronger hook, you may want to leave it for that reason and hope that most readers will read it.

Gillhoughly · Aug 6, 2008

If you're not a prologue reader/writer, then you might not write a good one and it will show in the words.

Write what turns you on. If a prologue leaves you cold you can work its information into the main body of the book.

I skip reading them unless they're by a writer who knows what he or she is doing. Alas, not many do so I get PO'd and my first thought is "Why don't you start the story already?" Some writers drop them in "just because", which is very silly to me. One actually told me "But my fans are ravenous for more of my words and this was how I was able to deliver." (Had to save my watch that day.)

As a reader, I like to settle in and get a handle on the characters who will carry me through the next 400 pages. What I hate is to try to get a handle on a situation and characters that abruptly end in a few pages, leaving me adrift and once again trying to get a handle on whatever is in chapter one.

Some read-aholics LOVE prologues. They would probably adore a book made up of nothing but prologues, but I never have liked the danged things.

Plunge into that story! Give me an opening that will make me forget I'm on a subway full of smelly, whacked-out serial killers. (That's how my first book sold. The editor missed her stop home and decided she had to read the rest of my book.)

Good luck!

scheherazade · Aug 6, 2008

Hmm... prologues are usually annoying. I see them a lot in more genre-style novels, where the author takes you right to the middle of the action, really gets you biting on the story, and then takes you back in chapter 1 to the beginning of things. I find that trick to be pretty annoying - you see it a lot in non-fiction books (biographies, especially) and it annoys me. Sometimes it can be stylistically interesting - I think Fight Club may have started with a prologue or at least a prologue-like structure (even the movie begins near the climax, and then takes you back to the beginning) and in that case it makes up for a beginning that might've been dull. But that's probably an exception to the rule.

On the other hand, I don't think it's wise to use a historical prologue. If you want to tell material that comes before your next chapter, then you should make it your first chapter, or save it for a flashback or other retrospective place later in the story. I find it particularly annoying when the prologue takes place years or centuries before the story... boring!

Your intuition is probably right - start the story at the strongest point to grab your reader's attention. If you need to give them background material, work it in throughout the story, rather than boring them with a prologue. It's better they have some curiosity about the past, than they put down your book altogether because the prologue doesn't draw them in as well as your first chapter might have.

Jenifer · Aug 6, 2008

I am not a fan of the prologue. Get to the juicy bits already!

I don't read them... or write them. I skip 'em and read the book as if they weren't there. I'd rather find out about characters/events as the book races along. Prologues leave me feeling bogged down and stagnant and if you're going to feel that way, there'd better damn well be a swamp monster involved. But Gill is spot on. It's possible I haven't read a good one yet (just as possible that I've missed good ones by skipping them on principal).

Your particular situation depends on the story. Why is there a three-year gap? What happened? Does your original first chapter include information that couldn't be introduced in other ways, such as telling character quirks and chunks of their histories dispersed throughout?

Can the rest of the work stand alone, or does it need a prologue to stop the squeak?

CBumpkin · Aug 6, 2008

Statistically, most readers skip prologues. Personally, I read them because the author took the time to write it and felt it was important. Sometimes they're boring and sometimes they help. The worst thing is a long one.

Gillhoughly gave great advice that I've heard agents say, "If you're not a prologue reader yourself, don't write them because most people skip them." Many prologues are also just backstory (which is why most people skip them) and you risk boring your reader. At that point, the author already has points taken off by the reader when they've only just started to read.

As Jenifer said, get to the action. That's your beginning. If the action doesn't start until chapter 3, then chapter 3 should probably be chapter 1. Yes, there are exceptions, as there are with everything, but the exceptions must be written very, very well.

johnzakour · Aug 7, 2008

Not a big fan of prologues. In today's world of "MTV attention spans" I feel that with a prologue I run the risk of losing the reader right off the bat. Either that or they will skip the prologue so I'm just using up trees with words that could be better used elsewhere.

But that's just me...

Alpha Echo · Aug 7, 2008

I do not understand why so many people on here are against prologues. I've never skipped them when reading, and my latest WIP has a very short one (about 3 pages double spaced). The prologue is set 10 years before Chapter One, and I think it's necessary. Although since so many people claim that so many other people skip prologues altogether, perhaps I'll call it something else.

I never met anyone so against prologues until I joined AW, and honestly, it kinda annoys me. I admit that I've read a few that were unnecessary, but I've also read some that really grab your attention and get you hooked and make you really, really want to start reading Chapter One.

I say that if you don't need it, then yeah, don't have it. But if you feel for some reason that it's necessary, write a good, short, tight prologue.

Mr Flibble · Aug 7, 2008

I have to say I like prologues IF they are done in a certain way.

for instance, I'm not a big fan of the 'This is what has happened in the world till now' 40 page chunk of info dumping ( a la Concerning Hobbits) - the story doesn't need it, and it would be better served as an appendix or the info being drip fed into the story. I don't read these prologues.

However a short, snappy and action orientated prologue ( that is relevant to the story at hand) I actually like. I love prologues like these, especially if they set up a bit of mystery about the following story. .

Enraptured · Aug 7, 2008

I'm surprised that so many people skip prologues; I've never even considered skipping the prologue. I think it depends on what the story needs... which, admittedly, can be hard to figure out. In the situation you're describing, it sounds like you've already described the events of the prologue in the novel, and seeing it in more detail isn't strictly necessary... but I would have to read the story to know for sure.

What I don't like is prologues that give an overview of the world - basically a giant infodump. That strikes me as the writer not wanting to figure out how to weave that information into the story in a way that won't bore the reader.

But if you're going to bring the chapter back either way, then I would definitely say do it as a prologue. Since it's separate in time from the rest of the story, it would be less disorienting to have it as a prologue rather than a first chapter.

Telstar · Aug 7, 2008

scheherazade said:
Hmm... prologues are usually annoying. I see them a lot in more genre-style novels, where the author takes you right to the middle of the action, really gets you biting on the story, and then takes you back in chapter 1 to the beginning of things. I find that trick to be pretty annoying

I agree with this.
Most prologues I have checked in fantasy novels (thats my genre) are either boring or use the trick you have suggested or put some exposition that is not really linked with the beginning of the story (and i dont mean only the first chapter).

But when prologues are smartly done, catching and entertaining, I love them. The reason why to use a prologue instead of the first chapter is if the content is separated by time, POV, a frame, or another valid reason that it works better this way.

Telstar · Aug 7, 2008

johnzakour said:
Not a big fan of prologues. In today's world of "MTV attention spans" I feel that with a prologue I run the risk of losing the reader right off the bat. Either that or they will skip the prologue so I'm just using up trees with words that could be better used elsewhere.

But that's just me...

I hope that my readers who skept the prologue will go back to it when later a certain character is introduced in the story...

quickWit · Aug 7, 2008

ChristaCarol13 said:
My original first chapter started 3 years prior to the second chapter. I ended up cutting it out and starting My first chapter where I started in the 2nd chapter (sticking with me here?)

If an eastbound train leaves Chicago going 75 mph at the same time a westbound train leaves New York going 70 mph...

Although I always read prologues, I'd say if you can work the content in your prologue into the body of your MS without hurting the overall work I'd go that way.

Good luck!

rosiecotton · Aug 7, 2008

I don't mind a good, vital prologue, but hate them when used to camouflage the fact that nothing exciting or interesting is going to happen in the first few chapters. It's like, "Hey, I'll give 'em a wham-bam (but totally unnecessary) prologue with tons of action/high intrigue/spooky events and then no one will think the start of my novel is boring." Cut to opening of chapter one....so and so wakes from a bad dream, switches off alarm clock, brushes teeth, stares into the mirror, five pages describing the weather, etc, etc.

citymouse · Aug 7, 2008

I like prologues. I read 'em and I write 'em. I used to skip 'em before I realized what I was missing. The opinions on this are as varied as the stars.

Your question doesn't have a yes/no answer. It's all a matter of taste and style. That said, if you're going to write a prologue be sure you need one.

As an aside, I like epilogues too.

C

Michael Murphy · Aug 7, 2008

My second novel had a prologue that takes place before Chapter one. An important event occurred that triggers the events of the story. I chose to tell it in a scene that was dramatic and emotional. Having the prologue eliminated the need for backstory in the rest of the novel, which increased the pace of the opening chapters. What I don't like are prologues, much like the openings of James Bond movies, where there's an action scene that tells us Bond's still got it, that has nothing to do with the story.

Shadow_Ferret · Aug 7, 2008

I'm anti-prologue. Seems if the stuff is that important they'd have incorporated it into the story.

I remember picking up a book by a rather well-known Sci-Fi author and got it home only to find he had something like 50 pages of prologue. I returned it unread.

If the prologue is well-written (which most of them aren't) I don't have a problem with it. But usually prologues just make my eyes glaze over and I never even make it to the meat of the story. Then I ask myself, what the hell was the writer thinking when he wrote this?

Gillhoughly · Aug 7, 2008

One practical reason to leave out a prologue is when you are sending your 50 sample pages and outline to an agent it should be from the main body of the book.

I'm fairly sure this was backed up by Miss Snark and I've asked my own agent what she likes.

If you must have a prologue, put it in the final MS, but leave it out of the submission process.

You might end up not needing it after all!

They are a holdover from the days before radio, TV, and vid games. People had more time to spare for them.

For me as an editor I see them as a prime place for an inexperienced writer to indulge in telling, not showing, and often doing it rather badly. But even a seasoned word smith can screw up.

The other day I picked up a mega-thriller with bestseller notices, blurbs from famous names, yadda-yadda.

And yes, it had a prologue. I gave it a chance.

I read the first three paragraphs, then skimmed the next 10 pages.

It went on and on and on and ON about this guy (I assumed it was the hero, silly me) standing bravely up to his torture, giving his history, and how bad the guards were, blah-blah-blah.

He seems to be facing a rescue at the end, though! But no, Mr. Nameless is congratulated for holding out for so long, then his rescuer kills him.

Seems the book is about someone else entirely. I was so disgusted I put the danged thing back and won't be reading any more of that writer's sludge.

I guess it is what is popular and what America is reading for pleasure, but ye gods, it's scary!

maestrowork · Aug 7, 2008

This topic has come back over and over again...

But in your case, I think you can safely discard that first chapter -- from my experience, it's mostly just a "backstory" thing writers do before they jump feet first in the water with the story. And if there's anything you REALLY need in the first chapter, you can most certainly find a way to insert them into your main story (dialogue, flashbacks, etc.) Trust me, your ms. would be stronger without a backstory type prologue.

To me, prologues have specific uses: set the tone, build the world, etc. But if it's just for backstories, then cut it.

Sunshine13 · Aug 7, 2008

Michael Murphy said:
My second novel had a prologue that takes place before Chapter one. An important event occurred that triggers the events of the story. I chose to tell it in a scene that was dramatic and emotional. Having the prologue eliminated the need for backstory in the rest of the novel, which increased the pace of the opening chapters. What I don't like are prologues, much like the openings of James Bond movies, where there's an action scene that tells us Bond's still got it, that has nothing to do with the story.

This is very much what my prologue would be if I did it. It's an important event, that isn't boring, nor is it world building, that happens to the MC that is dramatic and emotional, etc etc. Nothing worth mentioning really happens until 3 years prior which is the reason for the time jump. And manipulating it to not have a time gap just isn't going to work. So that isn't an option.

I could do it both ways, have the prologue, or not have it and add the backstory in the chapters, but I fear what he said -- it may slow it down (probably because I'm just not good at it yet). Hmm...something to think on for sure.

Maestro: Yeah I see your point. I guess my fear is falling into the infodumps. I mean, I've been working on this chapter for a while now and it seems anytime I slip in a backflash or a thought about that event, a reader considers it infodumping. So either I stink at this, or something else.... Blarg.

Jenifer · Aug 7, 2008

Alpha Echo said:
Although since so many people claim that so many other people skip prologues altogether, perhaps I'll call it something else.

I genuinely hope that your readership isn't stupid enough to be fooled by something like that.

Honestly... that would leave me feeling a bit insulted as a reader. Call a duck a duck... add some adverbs if you must, but to deliberately mislead is just dishonest IMO and something I absolutely abhor in a story.

I never met anyone so against prologues until I joined AW, and honestly, it kinda annoys me.

I've got to ask- and please don't think I'm trying to start an argument- but why would the truth of other people's personal preferences annoy you? I would have thought that knowing the likes and dislikes of potential readers would be helpful on some level. Not that you need to write by committee- if you think your book has to have a prologue (or a Mystical Duck-flavored Chapter at the front) then by all means put a prologue in. If you're going to do that anyway (and you should), what we think should matter even less.

I am also against info-dumps and leading the reader by the nose... and so many best-selling writers choose to do those things anyway! Whatcha gonna do? My vote is not and should not be the deciding vote.

maestrowork · Aug 7, 2008

Readers are not against prologues... they're against bad prologues, and many prologues out there are bad.

DeleyanLee · Aug 7, 2008

maestrowork said:
Readers are not against prologues... they're against bad prologues, and many prologues out there are bad.

Ray is my new guru.

Alpha Echo · Aug 7, 2008

Jenifer said:
I genuinely hope that your readership isn't stupid enough to be fooled by something like that. Honestly... that would leave me feeling a bit insulted as a reader. Call a duck a duck... add some adverbs if you must, but to deliberately mislead is just dishonest IMO and something I absolutely abhor in a story.

I've got to ask- and please don't think I'm trying to start an argument- but why would the truth of other people's personal preferences annoy you? I would have thought that knowing the likes and dislikes of potential readers would be helpful on some level. Not that you need to write by committee- if you think your book has to have a prologue (or a Mystical Duck-flavored Chapter at the front) then by all means put a prologue in. If you're going to do that anyway (and you should), what we think should matter even less.

I am also against info-dumps and leading the reader by the nose... and so many best-selling writers choose to do those things anyway! Whatcha gonna do? My vote is not and should not be the deciding vote.

I was only joking about changing the name from "Prologue" to something else. Totally joking.

I was just annoyed because I got beat up for posting a prologue for critique in SYW. I have different opinions from MANY people here, but I was made to feel stupid when I posted my prologue.

I ended up NOT using that prologue, but that's because I turned the story around a bit.

Mr Flibble · Aug 7, 2008

I would have thought that knowing the likes and dislikes of potential readers would be helpful on some level.

Now I'm not trying to be arguementative here either -- but a group of writers is not the same as an average group of readers. As writers we notice things that readers don't, or of they did, don't care about.

When I had some betas look over my MS, I had three people who have proabably read everything in teh genre between them, and three writers. The three writers all said a certain bit jarred ( to varying degrees) because as writers they had noticed it and they thought 'now you shouldn't do that'. You know what? Among the readers they noticed it ( not in the 'pull them out of the story' kind of way), and they liked it - because it was unusual.

What writers think is right and what pure readers like / want are not always one and the same.

Of course as always, it depends on the execution

To Prologue or Not to Prologue?

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