Prologues

Frankie Joe · May 2, 2013

I like the way some authors present a prologue containing enough information to give the reader a glimpse of the entire story. To me these are not spoilers but spark interest in reading the details. My question is; if my novel is written in first person present, would it be a mistake to begin it with a letter from one of the main characters in first person past as a prologue?

Princess Marina · May 2, 2013

I think it's an interesting idea and although I admit to not having enough knowledge to say whether there are reasons why you shouldn't do it, I'd personally be interested how it turns out. If only so we could see the problems it creates. But looking at writing from a fresh perspective can produce some innovative results and certainly will liven up the tedium. Good luck with your concept.

“Writing is a way of talking without being interrupted.”
― Jules Renard

Buffysquirrel · May 2, 2013

Normally I think we'd write letters in the past tense, wouldn't we? So I don't see a reason why the tense would be an issue. Prologues are very much up to the discretion of the individual writer.

MythMonger · May 2, 2013

Some people claim to never read prologues, although I'm not one of them.

Just something to keep in mind.

Roxxsmom · May 2, 2013

I'll read a prologue if it's interesting to me and sucks me in. If it doesn't, though, I don't so much skip it as skip the whole book. I assume if it's there, it's there for a reason.

I ran across this recently, and actually, it's a decent summary of the different purposes prologues can serve and also of when they are and aren't warranted.

http://www.writing-world.com/fiction/prologue.shtml

Buffysquirrel · May 2, 2013

Some of us don't just claim not to read them. We actually don't read them.

CrastersBabies · May 2, 2013

Yay for this turning into a "Some people read them/some people skip them" thread! It's so helpful to the OP with their specific question.

Answer to the OP, prologues are (in a sense) outside of the main story for a reason. Tense or POV choice wouldn't matter, imho.

SevasTra82 · May 2, 2013

I toyed with the idea of a prologue, but they seem to have such a negative light cast upon them that I eventually decided to not write one. I read many reviews and in many places that publishers won't even give your book a shot if they see you added a prologue. The negative disdain that i see for them has caused me to avoid writing one.

It's too bad too, cause I think, if done correctly, prologues can be very impactful to the story. The stereotypes associated with them are a shame, IMO.

Lissibith · May 2, 2013

I'd say, try it. You can always delete or move it if it doesn't work for you or your betas once the story is complete. Heck, you don't even have to present it as a prologue per se

Bufty · May 2, 2013

Nothing wrong with opening with an interesting letter.

The content will be the key and I don't see tense as relevant in any way at all.

Buffysquirrel · May 2, 2013

CrastersBabies said:
Yay for this turning into a "Some people read them/some people skip them" thread! It's so helpful to the OP with their specific question.

And there I was trying to be good at first....

*plonks self on naughty step*

WeaselFire · May 2, 2013

First, why do you have a prologue instead of a first chapter? Second, is the letter, in it's entirety, important enough to include it?

Often letters, and prologues, are a crutch for writers who can't put the story together.

Jeff

katci13 · May 2, 2013

Do it.
It's your story. Do what you want. If it's interesting and adds to the story then write it. Other people's opinion on this really don't matter.

Frankie Joe · May 2, 2013

I agree

Buffysquirrel said:
Some of us don't just claim not to read them. We actually don't read them.

I don't read forewords, intros, nor prologues myself so I digress. I have no intention to title it as such. I thought the letter needed to be isolated from the story in some way because it is in past tense. I am in my third rewrite and put the letter in because the story starts off too blase and I think it needs a little excitement to suck the reader in. I know you might say to rewrite the beginning but the only way to introduce action would be by flashback which I am not fond of. The letter is a device to take the place of a backstory since it is in present tense. If anyone can suggest another way, I'm listening.

njmagas · May 2, 2013

I opened my current WIP with a prologue in letters. I recently decided the whole thing is unnecessary and can be explained in later chapters. Take from that what you will.

Sonsofthepharaohs · May 2, 2013

Put it in, get feedback. Prologues are fine as long as they're necessary and do their job well.

My prologue happens to be awesome, thank you very much

rwm4768 · May 2, 2013

If you do it well, it can work. Of course, there are those people who don't read prologues.

Buffysquirrel · May 3, 2013

Frankie Joe said:
I am in my third rewrite and put the letter in because the story starts off too blase and I think it needs a little excitement to suck the reader in. I know you might say to rewrite the beginning but the only way to introduce action would be by flashback which I am not fond of. The letter is a device to take the place of a backstory since it is in present tense. If anyone can suggest another way, I'm listening.

You don't need action to draw the reader in. What you need is to raise questions in their mind to which they want answers, and the only way to find the answers is to keep reading. You also need to consider the possibility you may have started in the wrong place. Happens a lot.

The_Burning_Quill · May 3, 2013

Just call it 'Chapter One' and write it.

If it is good enough and fits with the story then keep it. If it doesn't cut it then remove it.

You can insist on it being called whatever you want later.

pezerp59 · May 4, 2013

Interesting idea.

The letter as a prologue sounds intriguing and it seems as though it would be a bit of a challenge to pull it off. Excellent concept.

Prologues

Frankie Joe

Conspiracies begin here...

Princess Marina

Princess Marina

Buffysquirrel

MythMonger

Willing to Learn

Roxxsmom

Raised by Wolves

Buffysquirrel

CrastersBabies

Burninator!

SevasTra82

Lissibith

On target

Bufty

Where have the last ten years gone?

Buffysquirrel

WeaselFire

Benefactor Member

katci13

creative genie

Frankie Joe

Conspiracies begin here...

njmagas

Sonsofthepharaohs

Still writing the ancient Egyptian tetralogy

rwm4768

practical experience, FTW

Buffysquirrel

The_Burning_Quill

pezerp59

Inexorable