Right now I'm working on two novels, one a fantasy and the other a suspense/romance/mystery thing. And, they both have prologues. I've debated about using prologues on both of them and came to the decision that, yes, using a prologue on them was fine. I decided my prologues did give the reader info that was needed, that would enhance the story, make it a bit better for the reader just starting the book.
Then, as I got more along in the revising process, I came to the conclusion that I really didn't need a prologue on the fantasy novel after all. The info I give out can be woven in later. So, now I've got to get rid of the prologues and do some tweaking.
What about you? How do you feel about prologues? Do you read them or just skip over and start with chapter one? Have you pondered the issue of using a prologue in your own writing and if so, what did you decide?
Here's a great article on prologues.
4 comments:
I had to ask the same question about my novel. In the end, I decided to take the prologue out. I felt that anything that I explained in the prologue could be dealt with in the first chapter.
I remember reading a book recently (the title is not coming up in my mind! Darn it!) but the prologue was important because it showed a scene that became relevant later. The main character's mom was killed when she was a baby and we are reading from the perspective of this particular character who lost her mom. How the mom died becomes important because this character is trying to find out about how her mom died.
And I definitely read prologues! I figure if it has an important snippet in the life of the character's I'm about to read, I'll pay attention!
I remember reading a book recently (the title is not coming up in my mind! Darn it!) but the prologue was important because it showed a scene that became relevant later. The main character's mom was killed when she was a baby and we are reading from the perspective of this particular character who lost her mom. How the mom died becomes important because this character is trying to find out about how her mom died.
And I definitely read prologues! I figure if it has an important snippet in the life of the character's I'm about to read, I'll pay attention!
Hi, Jean.
I've been considering a prologue for This Brilliant Darkness, as well, which I hope to have finished in a few weeks (after seven years!). I think it would help set expectations for where the book is going (multi-viewpoints, dreamscapes, etc.)
Anyway, just stopped by to say hello. I found you on twitter. I, too, am a homeschooling mom and am working on two books! One dark fantasy, the other urban fantasy. Have you published a book yet? I have been a freelance writer for centuries, but fiction is a different animal altogether.
If you're interested, find me at @LesleaTash (me) or @RedTashBooks (pen name), and the same two IDs on facebook, etc. Would love to keep in touch! I am not much of a blog reader anymore (time!).
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