Prologue

[melissa love]

How important to you as an author to have a prologue in your book? Do you feel you need to have one or not?

I have written one book with one and one without one. I decided in my third book not to have one. I am also an avid reader and sometimes I skip pages that have the prologue in it.

[Sarah E.]

As an avid reader who blogs about books, I think you are asking a very good question! I used to automatically skip a book's prologue but now I find I like reading them because they offer a window into what to expect in the future pages of the book. I think it depends on how the prologue is written, if its too long then I think the reader might lose their interest in their eagerness to get to the rest of the story but then again maybe some readers like longer prologues. I'm sorry this isn't much help but I think it really depends on the person, some people like prologues, others don't but I guess it couldn't hurt to write one for all the people who like prologues, those who don't will just skip it anyways.

-Sarah

http://laceandlavenderhints.blogspot.ca

[melissa love]

thanks for the feed back. I find that some prologue might give the book away. Thanks

[Irina Shapiro]

I've had a prologue in several of my books because I wanted to capture the reader's attention.  I think a prologue only serves its purpose if it intrigues the reader.  Otherwise, it's just as great to start with Chapter 1.

Irina

www.irinashapiro.com

 

[Richard Lee Byers]

I completely agree. Include a prologue if it provides the most effective hook for a particular book. Otherwise, don't.

[melissa love]

I agree too. I usually let my summary do the talking, but good point.

[Joe Perrone Jr.]

A prologue only works when it's necessary.  To just "add a prologue" is to miss the point.  A prologue (Greek πρόλογος prologos, from the word pro (before) and lógos, word) is an opening to a story that establishes the setting and gives background details, often some earlier story that ties into the main one, and other miscellaneous information.  If you write a novel where there is a transition from one time period to another, for instance, it might be helpful to have a prologue.  if there is a character involved in present-day events whose childhood development might factor into his or her behavior, a prologue might be in order to establish a basis for his present-day behavior.

The same is true for epilogues, which help to tie up a lot of loose ends at the end of a novel.  I like both prologues and epilogues, when used appropriately.

[Danny Dean]

Yes, Mr. Perrone, you nailed it. In my opinion, that's exactly what a prologue should do. I do think, however, that all loose ends should be tied up in the body of the story, and the epilogue should play off of, or otherwise be complimentary to the prologue. That's what I did in my book, and it seemed to give it a stronger ending. Just my opinion. 

[melissa love]

That is an excellent point. I could see why you would use a prologue in that instant. Thanks

[M Cid D'Angelo]

I feel that prologues can be inane and unnecessary; however, sometimes, especially when it comes to a mood-setter, a prologue can be useful.

 

The main problem with prologues, IMO, is that the author tries to tell to o much; it becomes a Victorian-Age device where the author tries to set up a story that does not need setting up.

 

Many times a pologue event can be just a Chapter 1 or an opening scene without the ponderous title of PROLOGUE.

 

Epilogues too can be highly unnecessary. If you are writing a series, you can have a cliffhanger or a lead off that will entice the reader to go on, but an epilogue is usually highly inane.

 

If you choose to use a prologue, make it short!

[melissa love]

I agree with your statement about the how long or short a prologue could be. If I read have a book and the prologue is too long (two pages), then I will skip it.

[Danny Dean]

I think that prologues and epilogues are a matter of personal preference. Most of the older writers that I've respected through the years have a prologue and an epilogue. I decided to have both in my book. They gave me an opportunity to set the ending of the story up before it even gets started. In the epilogue, I ended the prologue, which in effect gave me two endings to the story and allowed me to set-up some of the characters and scenarios for a stand-alone sequel. The end result of this is that people have loved the ending to the story. (Personally, I read every "jot and tittle" of a book, from cover to cover.)

[C.B. Haight]

I am with you, I don't skip over things. If you do you might miss an important factor.