Why write a prologue

A prologue can be a useful tool in building your novel; however, it can also be harmful to the story if used inappropriately. This article will explain the prologue and help you determine whether you should use one. A prologue is used to give readers extra information that advances the plot. It is included in the front matter and for a good reason! Authors use them for various purposes, including:. With all of these reasons for having a prologue, you may be wondering what the downside is.

Well, prologues can be boring. If you include too much background about Dal's homeland, the flora and fauna, and the intricacies of the social customs on the mother planet, you may turn readers off. Also, people admit to regularly skipping the prologue, so if you include an essential part of the story here, your readers may not get it, which could lead to confusion down the line.

However, the main reason to consider not writing a prologue is that in most cases, they simply aren't necessary. The general rule is that, due to their troublesomeness, you should avoid having a prologue. Ask yourself: will this fit in Chapter 1? Is this essential to the plot? If the answer is no, skip it. Writing a prologue, just like the writing process in general, varies according to the individual. Some find it best to write the prologue after the bulk of the novel has been written, particularly if there is a vital plot component that cannot be inserted elsewhere.

Others like to use prologue writing as part of their prewriting process to establish the tone, language, and style of the story. Whether you write it at the beginning, end, or somewhere in between, there are some basics to consider. Overall, be careful. The prologue, when used effectively, can enhance the story and further your plot in a creative way; however, when used ineffectively, it can put readers off.

If you need help editing your prologue, or even your whole novel, why not let our book editors take a look? Good luck! English is not my first language. I need English editing and proofreading so that I sound like a native speaker.

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Writing a prologue is not a standard part of writing books or plays, but it is a great literary device when used correctly. Learn how to write a prologue, then try writing your own.

A prologue is often defined as an introduction to a play or novel. It is a short piece of writing that comes before the first chapter or the first act. Prologues are only used in fiction, but they can be used in books, plays, and screenplays. Before you start writing a prologue, spend time considering whether you need one. Most authors and experts agree prologues should be used sparingly.

Ask yourself a few questions:. Whether you write it in poetry, prose, or some other form, it needs to be short. Like a good short story and any chapter, your prologue needs to start with a hook. The more boring, the better! Prologues need to somehow propel or impact your main plot. If your prologue is filled with action, offers bite-sized pieces of background information, and weaves a compelling scene but is not relevant to your main plot, you probably need to re-think your strategy.

The modern reader often prefers shorter chapters—prologues included. If your prologue is longer than most of your chapters or if both your prologue and chapters are longer , it might be time to reevaluate the structure and pacing of your chapters. World building is one of the things I love most about fantasy and science fiction. These delicious details are… well… delicious! Proceed with caution if the prologue is used strictly to set the tone and introduce world-building elements. Often, these details can be weaved into your chapters without the need of a prologue.

Not to mention, skilled writers have a way of proving the rules wrong. So, when should prologues be utilized? In other words: when are they an asset to your story? According to Brian A. Prologues should supply information that is—or will be—important to understanding the plot. Fear not, writers. In fact, they come in handy in a number of scenarios:. Trying to decide whether or not you should keep or even write a prologue?

Consider the following questions:. Writers often look upon outlines with fear and trembling. But when properly understood and correctly used, the outline is one of the most powerful weapons in a writer's arsenal. Click to continue. For the November PAD Chapbook Challenge, poets are tasked with writing a poem a day in the month of November before assembling a chapbook manuscript in the month of December.

Today's prompt is to write a raw poem. Every good story needs a nice or not so nice turn or two to keep it interesting. This week, let your character travel to another dimension. When writing about real people in historical fiction, what might the consequences be of taking certain artistic liberties?

Author Robert Lloyd discusses the ethics of literary revivification. Ambassador Philip Kaplan discusses how the characters came to him through the magic of the writing process in his debut novel, Night In Tehran.

Today's prompt is to write a memory poem. When you've kept your readers up all hours of the night turning the pages, then you know you've got a winning thriller on your hands.