The story that I’m currently working on has some back story, but I was thinking of just using it as my first few chapters and not do a prologue, that leads into the story. Btw, it’s a revenge story and I was thinking that instead of writing a blurb about the revenge in a prologue that I’d just make the first chapters about what brought the need for revenge about. So is it better to write a prologue or just start the story
Prologue or no Prologue
- Thread starter silvergarma
- Start date
- Joined
- Apr 27, 2006
- Messages
- 7,508
- Reaction score
- 800
- Location
- Winter Haven, Florida
- Website
- www.donaldmichaelplatt.com
Having read many posts on AW regarding this topic, I suggest you ignore most comments and be concerned only about the person to whom you submit. Try to learn if he/she is put off or not by prologues, which may require an epilogue. Also see how many HF novels on the shelves have prologues and epilogues.
Many will say they skip prologues when they read. IMNSHO, so sad for them. It is the powers who be that matter.
Many will say they skip prologues when they read. IMNSHO, so sad for them. It is the powers who be that matter.
Last edited:
The prologue is there for a reason in my opinion, I always read it. It has a connection to the story.
A very good example in prologues - Clive Cussler. Not exactly historical but his double-historical prologue is the intrigue for the story.
A very good example in prologues - Clive Cussler. Not exactly historical but his double-historical prologue is the intrigue for the story.
I used to prologue all the time, until I started just making any "Prologue" into "Chapter 1." And, often, it's the first thing to go when I'm editing. So now my prologuing days are behind me, and I feel it's best to just dive into things.
Still, by all means write one and experiment with it. Cussler does very well with using his prologues as a hook, and it may just work out for you.
Still, by all means write one and experiment with it. Cussler does very well with using his prologues as a hook, and it may just work out for you.
- Joined
- Nov 19, 2009
- Messages
- 4,859
- Reaction score
- 408
- Location
- Home Sweet Home
- Website
- bookewyrme.straydreamers.com
I sort of feel that if there's a significant time jump between your first chapter and your second (as compared to the time-jumps throughout the rest of the story) then the first chapter ought to be a prologue. Just my 2c.
To prologue or make it the first chapter?
Doesn't matter so long as either one hooks the reader. Now with that said, if the prologue is mostly back story that does not advance the story, then what purpose does it serve other than as an info dump or history lesson. In some genre's, this works. In others, not...
Research who ever you submit to. Once accepted, you can always discuss adding the prologue if you have cut it out...
Doesn't matter so long as either one hooks the reader. Now with that said, if the prologue is mostly back story that does not advance the story, then what purpose does it serve other than as an info dump or history lesson. In some genre's, this works. In others, not...
Research who ever you submit to. Once accepted, you can always discuss adding the prologue if you have cut it out...
- Joined
- Feb 11, 2005
- Messages
- 43,746
- Reaction score
- 8,654
- Location
- Los Angeles
- Website
- www.amazon.com
- Joined
- Jul 7, 2006
- Messages
- 15,285
- Reaction score
- 5,629
- Age
- 60
- Location
- Australia
- Website
- www.australianflavour.net
I have a gap of years between my first chapter and second and have had a few conversations with beta's regarding wether or not it should be a prologue. I have had no clear consensous on the matter and have left it as my first chapter.
I;ve used prolgues and not preologues
Prologues work if: it sets up a mystery, it's a different POV from the main poeple (particularly if we see this person in the novel, but not his pov) estra interesting stuff
They do not work if: It's an essay on how the world was made/why the gods hate each other/any other kind of dump'
A prologue should work as any other chapter - intrigue, conflict etc. BUT it should also be um, not unnecessary, bit it the reader doesn't read it, they wil still enjoy the book ( yet they might get something extra from the prologue.)
Prologues work if: it sets up a mystery, it's a different POV from the main poeple (particularly if we see this person in the novel, but not his pov) estra interesting stuff
They do not work if: It's an essay on how the world was made/why the gods hate each other/any other kind of dump'
A prologue should work as any other chapter - intrigue, conflict etc. BUT it should also be um, not unnecessary, bit it the reader doesn't read it, they wil still enjoy the book ( yet they might get something extra from the prologue.)
In the WIP I'm planning, I was tempted to start at an earlier point. I have now decided against it. I now start with James I riding to Durham to take power as King of Scots and take revenge against the Albany Stewarts for their role in his prolonged stint as a hostage of the English King.
I will reveal the backstory - the murder of his elder brother; his kidnapping and life as a hostage; Albany's refusal to pay a ransom; and the courtship of his queen - as I plot the story of his struggles to consolidate the Stewart throne and control the Clans.
I will reveal the backstory - the murder of his elder brother; his kidnapping and life as a hostage; Albany's refusal to pay a ransom; and the courtship of his queen - as I plot the story of his struggles to consolidate the Stewart throne and control the Clans.