Wednesday 29 May 2019

To Write a Prologue or Not
When I first started novel writing, I remember being told that prologues are not popular with editors and publishing industry professionals and yet some of my favourite authors have started their novels with prologues. 
Here are a two definitions of a prologue:
 - a preliminary discourse; a preface or introductory part of a poem or novel (www.dictionary.com)
- a literary device that functions much like an 'amuse bouche' - it arouses the reader's interest and provides a hint of what's to come (www.masterclass.com)

Prologues are a bit like marmite, I suppose; you either love them or loathe them. The main thing I've found when reading opinions about a prologue is to make sure it:
- is not too long (Readers often report skipping the prologues to get to Chapter 1!)
- does not act as an info-dump
- doesn't only create atmosphere without having much to do with the story.

A good prologue, however, may:
- foreshadow events to come
- provide background information to the central plot and its conflict
- establish a point of view. This may be the central character's or another character who is witness to the event 
- set the tone of the story.

A decision has to be made whether you need a prologue or can go straight to Chapter 1. These are some questions you may have to ask yourself:
-  What information is provided in the prologue? Can it be revealed in smaller amounts later on and have the same impact?
- Does this character's POV come up again? Perhaps it would work better as a first chapter instead?

At the moment my novels all start with a very short cameo scene unrelated to the opening of the novel. I'm happy with the one in 'Whispering Olive Trees' which opens with Sophia Simonides finding a body on the beach near her home. I felt it was important to write a short piece from her POV as, although she is an important character, the rest of the novel is written from Elin and Lexi's viewpoints. When editing 'A Secret Daughter', though, I could see that the prologue wasn't working. I was able, with a few adjustments, to add that scene to another chapter. I have now written a very short prologue to replace it. A crucial character in the novel is Joe Jenkins, but this will be the only occasion where a scene is written from his point of view. We see his reaction at receiving a telegram which will be a vital part of the story later in the novel. I hope it works and at the moment it is staying!
So what am I trying to do here? I suppose that I have given readers a hook, hopefully to intrigue them. I hope that questions will be raised in the readers' minds and they will want to read on to have them answered.

I know this is the effect that prologues have on me as a reader. I feel satisfied when the questions raised in the prologue are answered as I read the book. Last night, I finished an excellent psychological thriller by Linda Huber, 'The Cold, Cold Sea'. The prologue here was disturbing as I read it and played an important part in the story. The novel was a real page turner and I read it in a matter of days. I highly recommend the book.

As a writer, do you include a prologue? Perhaps an editor has suggested that the prologue is not necessary and your novel would be better starting at Chapter 1. As a reader, what do you think of prologues? 

Thank you for reading. I'd love it if you left a comment telling us what you think.

You may also follow me on Twitter @JanBayLit and on my Jan Baynham Writer page.

18 comments:

  1. I think a good prologue can work wonders, Jan, and I am reminded of one I read years ago in a book by Helen Van Slyke, which was about someone who had died. All the way through the story, it seemed that a particular person was going to die (and therefore become the person from the prologue), but what happened was completely different and unexpected. Now that was a good prologue! And I agree with you about Linda Huber's The Cold Cold Sea being an excellent book. I found it enthralling too. A complex and absorbing book.

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    1. Thank you, Sue - especially for such a prompt reply! It's because of your recommendation that I read 'The Cold, Cold Sea'. It certainly won't be the last book of Linda's I read. The unexpected element in her book was brilliant I felt. Shall look up Helen Van Slyke's books.

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  2. Thanks for the mention, Jan, so glad you enjoyed The Cold Cold Sea. I like prologues, especially the kind that foreshadow furture events, but I know that some readers do skip them, so maybe there's an argument for just making them Chapter One, where possible. Good luck with A Secret Daughter, I'll watch out for it.

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    1. Thank you, Linda. I hope it works now. The prologue in 'The Cold, Cold Sea' was brilliant because of how the novel ends.

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  3. There was a time when I believed, if you could write a good prologue, you could write a good first chapter. Ghostbird doesn't have one - it just has a three line legend, setting the mood. With Snow Sisters I knew I wanted to introduce the voice of the ghost at the very beginning so her words became a short (just over half a page) prologue. And having done a similar thing in Wild Spinning Girls, I guess I've become a prologue writer!

    As a reader, if they're succinct & pertinent & serve the story, I love them.

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    1. Thanks, Carol. Yes, I checked both 'Ghostbird' and 'Snowsisters' before writing this. In fact, a number of the Honno books have brilliant prologues. I'm looking forward to reading the one in 'Wild Spinning Girls'.

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    2. Wow! I'll tell the gang!
      I'm everso excited for you & Whispering Olive Trees... xXx

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  4. I have only used a prologue in one of my six novels. It was intended as an 'amuse bouche' and I THINK it works. If in two minds, maybe include it in your first draft and see how it sits/fits. You can easily discard.

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    1. Thanks, Jo. Yes, I can always decide in future drafts. It was clear that the first prologue wasn't working even though I'd kept it very short. It sits much better as part of a chapter.

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  5. I agree with you, Jan, about the length or relevance being a real put-off for some readers (me included!). I have no problems with prologues if they 'set the scene', raise questions, introduce a theme or character, if necessary. I haven't felt the need (yet!) to use one but to say 'never use one' is a bit harsh!

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    1. Thanks, Angela. I agree that because prologues vary so much in length and purpose perhaps it's not possible to say yes or no. I hope that because mine are very short, I hope readers won't be put off by them.

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  6. It depends on the story, I think. I tend to not use them when I Write contemporary, but almost always in the historical. In the series I'm writing now, I wanted to show the contrast between the heroines "before" life. So the prologue shows her sitting at Ritz in London in 1914, her lover proposes to her, she's happy and look forward to her new life. And then a man runs into the restaurant to say the the war has begun. In Chapter one she's on a boat, coming to a small, Norwegian fishing town in january 1919. Her lover died in the war and she wants a new life.
    I don't think a prologue should be long; more like a snapshot so we get an impression of what to expect.

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    1. That's interesting that you almost always use them in your historical novels, Natalie. I like the idea of your prologues being 'snapshots'.

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  7. I like your "amuse bouche" phrase. That helps a lot. I'm with Bookouture for two Tuscan novels and the first is a bit of a re-write. My editor asked me to write a prologue for it, to add tension. One agent I spoke to in the past told me they were no longer popular, so I hadn't included one. But, I've done what my present editor asked and enjoyed writing it. Two days ago on NetGalley I received a bit of a slating review from a reader who didn't like it at all! I suppose we can't please everybody and my advice would be to go with what your instincts tell you is working. I also agree with Natalie's comment about a prologue only needing to be a snapshot - just an impression. Thanks for your interesting article.

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    1. Thank you, Angela. I like the fact that you enjoyed writing and adding a prologue and I'm sure that would have come across. I think your advice is helpful - I'll go with my gut instinct. I'm sure I'll soon get to know if it hasn't worked!

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  8. I'm not a huge fan of prologues but having said that, I'm planning one for the ghost story I'm thinking of writing next. It sets up the ending - well, hopefully it does that! Personally, I like to go back when I've finished a book and read the prologue to see that it all makes sense with hindsight. All the best with yours! x

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    1. Thank you, Sara. I think if there is a purpose like the one you're intending for the prologue then it will work. I look forward to reading your ghost story.

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