I'm writing a prologue...!

ZannaPerry · Sep 27, 2007

I have finally decided last night that I am in need of a prologue. My story is half way finished (so excited!) with much completed scene after scene, and I have come to conclusion that it simply will not work without a prologue.

Way back when I first came to this website, I was told it'd be better to leave out a prologue unless you absolutely had to have one....and really to decide if you need one when the story is more developed. Well....

I DO NEED ONE!

It fits perfect. I love it! I actually love it!! :hooray:

Okay....done ranting.

Will Lavender · Sep 27, 2007

Hey, whatever gets the reader interested.

I've seen a lot of anti-prologue rants on AW, and I've joined in a few. But hell, it seems that every novel you pick up has a prologue. Mystery authors seem to love 'em.

Good luck with the book.

a_sharp · Sep 27, 2007

What's wrong with a prologue if it fits your story? And particularly if you love it. There's a place for prologues (generally at the beginning) as long as you don't feel the need for it on every project. I haven't read all the rants that may have been posted earlier, but you can't always put that stuff in the rest of the book. It's your call, you made it, you like it, stet.

Azraelsbane · Sep 27, 2007

That's awesome that you found something to make your book work better (I hope it really does

). I understand why so many people are anti-prologue. I actually had one person read my prologue and say "This isn't a prologue, because prologues are long, boring infodumps." :e2smack:

I didn't come around to my prologue until I was nearly finished with my novel, so I understand your position.

I actually ripped my prologue from book four of my series, and in my opinion (and about 99.9% of my beta readers) it worked great.

Good luck with yours, and don't let the anti-prologue crowd get you down. If it's intriguing and has conflict, you should be fine.

narnia · Sep 27, 2007

I'm using one! It's short and spooky (I hope), and is something that happens near the end of the book. The timeline is ~ 6 -7 months, my prologue happens in December and then the action starts in the previous June.

Abd I like mine, too! :tongue

ZannaPerry · Sep 27, 2007

I've just been going on and on inside my head debating whether or not to have a prologue. If it would make sense, but it does. My light bulb practically knocked me out of bed last night. A great feeling that I am finally onto something again!

mscelina · Sep 27, 2007

the trick to a good prologue is to make it an action scene that directly affects your plot as opposed to a infodump regarding history. Personally, I like prologues if they're done well. But the ones that tell me the history of a brand new fantasy world or explains oodles of sci-fi technology make me snore.

lkp · Sep 27, 2007

I think for a prologue to work, it has to have some kind of immediate payoff in the first few pages of the first chapter. I am in general part of the anti-prologue camp. but one example of a prologue that is interesting, gives crucial information, and gives the reader an immediate payoff is Garth Nix's prologue in Sabriel. I can't imagine the book without it.

ZannaPerry · Sep 27, 2007

My prologue is action, and it evolves into the first chapter. It makes sense to both the reader and the writer to both just go...."ahhhhh ha!" Makes sense now!

Ava Jarvis · Sep 27, 2007

How do you know the prologue isn't really chapter 1 or part thereof? Is it just the time differential?

Actually, it's probably time and/or subject.

Not that this has ever stopped me from naming all matter "Chapter 1" and onwards.

ZannaPerry · Sep 27, 2007

Like I said I've been going crazy with how to begin my story initially because I just feel I have a lot to say. And everyday my WIP is taking me for a ride, instead of the other way around. I'll get ideas at the craziest times of the day. And it would work to have a prologue with what I'm cooking up right now. The prologue is what will sent off my story, and then chapter one will continue on with the action, the suspense, the craziness!...I think it's the best way and I am sticking with it.

I'm writing a prologue...!

ZannaPerry

^ Just Me & a Sharpie

Will Lavender

Everything is what it seems.

a_sharp

Somebody give me an A

Azraelsbane

Agony is defeat

narnia

ZannaPerry

^ Just Me & a Sharpie

mscelina

Teh doommobile, drivin' rite by you

lkp

ZannaPerry

^ Just Me & a Sharpie

Ava Jarvis

Too stupid to know fear

ZannaPerry

^ Just Me & a Sharpie