To
Prologue or Not to Prologue?
Are
These Really Necessary to Move a Story Forward?
Are you an author who struggles with whether to include a
prologue, or to leave it out of your story? Here is some key information that
may help you in deciding when to use a prologue.
Many books have a prologue at the beginning of the book.
But are these really necessary to move the story forward, or to fill in details
not included in the story?
As a reader, I skip the prologue of every book I read
unless it’s a memoir, or a nonfiction book. For fiction novels, I find the
prologue is not necessary and therefore, I skip the reading of these. I haven’t
found a story yet that I found a prologue was necessary.
As a writer, I struggle with whether I should include these
in my books. At this moment, I tend to leave them out, as I would rather fill
in all the important information within the story.
So,
what is a prologue?
·
It is an opening to a story that establishes the setting
and gives background details.
·
Used
to fill in pertinent details of the story or plot that if used in the plot
would bog down the story and not help it to move forward.
·
For those novels that want to include
flashbacks used to help the reader understand the character.
·
It can be used to hook the reader. Although the
first chapter of any book should hook the reader. What if the reader does not
read the prologue? I don’t read the prologue, and rely on the first chapter to
hook me. If the first chapter does not reel me in, then I am not likely to
continue to read the book.
·
Prologues can also be used to introduce the
book’s characters. Although, a seasoned writer will introduce characters within
the story. Again what if the reader skips the prologue, and the writer has used
it to introduce characters? The story would be missing important elements that
make the story.
Is the
Prologue necessary?
·
As a reader, I have yet to find that a prologue
was necessary to any story.
·
There are a few things to think about when
writing a prologue:
o
If placed as the first chapter in the story,
would the plot’s integrity be damaged?
o
If left out of the book completely would it be
missed?
If you answer “yes” to both questions, then a prologue is
necessary for the book. If no, then skip it.
When
to use a prologue?
·
When detailed information needs to be revealed
to the reader before beginning the story.
·
If the information would bog down, and
interrupt the flow of the story.
·
If used to snag the reader at the bookstore.
Many readers when choosing a book to buy will read the prologue to see if they should
purchase the book. Of course some would say that they back of the book should
do this by itself.
When
not to use a prologue?
·
Do not use a prologue to dump additional unnecessary
information.
·
Do not use it if it is not needed.
·
Do not use it to repeat what is already in the
story.
·
If it does not contribute to the story, it is
not necessary.
Many times new writers will write prologues for their book,
but not really know when and how to use a prologue. As I mentioned before, as a
reader, I detest these and skip them altogether. I have read thousands of books
over the years, and yes every one of them had a prologue that I did not read.
To me it is a waste of my time. I have never read a story that I felt that
needed a prologue. A well written book will contain all the key information throughout
the story.
What do you think? Do you find that a prologue is
necessary? Leave a comment with your thoughts on this matter.
