Prologue becoming short story.

AshleyEpidemic · Apr 13, 2013

I wrote a novel and after a few drafts I had a lovely prologue. I'm now thinking of dropping the prologue because it directly relates to a plot line I removed emphasis. However, I think it could be an interesting short story. Is this something that is frowned upon or a case of if it works why not?

JustSarah · Apr 13, 2013

You could consider having that as a short story in the same world, that takes place just before the main novel? Instead of a prologue.

Not an exact comparison, but I like to think of it as the short film before the main Pixar movie.

shadowwalker · Apr 13, 2013

Why not?

AshleyEpidemic · Apr 13, 2013

Thanks, just wanted to make sure it wasn't a ridiculous idea.

Buffysquirrel · Apr 14, 2013

That's fine.

SophieB · Apr 26, 2013

You could always "change the names to protect the innocent", i.e. let the former-prologue-short-story be about characters other than the ones in your novel.

Jamesaritchie · Apr 27, 2013

A short story is a short story, whether it's a prologue or not. And it's your universe, your characters, so you can sell all or any part independently. Editors only care about how much it pleases readers, not about its origins.

Dyfedd Rex · May 19, 2013

If it can stand on its own, go for it. I have several shorts that started as prologues or chapters I cut from larger works. They require a bit more care in editing and breaking off from the original work, but every character or tale needs their back-story, even if it is only as a reference for you in dealing with them in the future.

jaksen · May 20, 2013

Who would know - or care - if it's a prologue, except you?

And all the people you tell.

Prologue becoming short story.

AshleyEpidemic

Did you see my bag?

JustSarah

shadowwalker

empty-nester!

AshleyEpidemic

Did you see my bag?

Buffysquirrel

SophieB

Novels with a side of science.

Jamesaritchie

Dyfedd Rex

jaksen

Caped Codder