What's your opinion on prologues?

8/19/2011

To prologue or not to prologue.

That is the question that plagues my mind. Because, I’m thinking of doing it; I think I’m going to include a prologue in my current WIP.

*gasp*

I know. I am a professed prologue hater, never did much enjoy them, and most often skip them all together to get right into the meat of the story.

So why in the world am I doing this to myself? Why wouldn’t I simply take that bugger of a prologue and rename it “Chapter One,” like most writers do (like most writers are told to do)?

For me, here’s why: It doesn’t work as a first chapter. With my current query/book blurb, to use this prologue as a chapter one would be rather confusing and not to mention super odd. I’ve tried it. It’s just not right.

I’ve also tried dumping it from the book all together thinking maybe I could get away with not having it. I couldn’t. My alpha readers want it. They love it. They think it adds a sense of mystery to the story.

So what’s a writer to do?

I think I’m keeping it as a prologue. I think I am. I’m pretty sure I am. I don’t know.

I’ve been reading about prologues and have read the following posts: Why Prologues Often Don’t Work and also, To Prologue or Not to Prologue. Check them out. They offer great advice and reasons for and against the dreaded prologue.

Because let’s face it, most prologues don’t even need to be there. They are often times confusing, add nothing, and are simply a bandaid to cover up what is most likely a horribly written beginning. Most writers, especially newbies, don’t know where to begin their story. Thus the prologue crammed with backstory, strange prose, and a whole bunch of weirdness.

I don’t like prologues. I don’t. A great portion of them just don’t work. I get that.

Arg . . . (my frustrated pirate’s voice).

But gosh darn it (I’m from Utah and this is how we swear) I think I need this prologue. Not because I want it, but because I NEED it.

I also know I stand in great risk of writing an epic fail here, becoming another reason why you should never write a prologue. Few prologues actually work, and I realize the chips are stacked against me.

So, I think I’m going to do a brave thing here. I’m going to post my prologue it in a tab above (only posting it for a few days and then I'm removing it) and let you, my comrades, give me your opinion. It is still in the editing mode, it’s rough in nature so be patient and kind with me and its flaws.

But before you do, pop over to the Got Zombies tab and read my blurb. This way you can understand why this prologue won’t work as a chapter one--Who is this Trace guy you mention in the query/blurb and why isn’t he in this chapter? This author is weird.

Oh, and just so you know, this book is written in third person from both Trace’s and Red’s POV’s.

Anyway, your help is mucho appreciated.

What are your opinions on prologues? Like them? Hate them? Do you write them? Read them? Or are you a skipper over like me?

23 Comments

Lesann link

8/19/2011 01:45:53 am

Huh. This is tough because like you, I've heard all the arguments for and against prologues. I actually like them if there's a point = necessary point in history to understand the context of current events. I'm expecting Elizabeth is Red, and understanding the personal tragedy she endured helps the reader know why she's committed to hunting down zombies. I'm curious how/why she survived. Was her family the point of inception, is she the vector for spreading the contagion? It reads really nice. I've read stories where the prologue sets up the historical framing for the current dilemma and enjoyed them, but sometimes the prologues are so long it's jarring when the reader suddenly moves forward 100 years. I'm guessing that isn't the case with your work. I didn't get the feel the length was too great. As a reader, I'm committed to finding out what happened, why it happened, and what comes next.

I'd go with the prologue and I'd definately keep reading. Remember, at some point the pendulum will swing again...and everyone will be advised to include a prologue.

-Lesann

Sandy link

8/19/2011 02:51:16 am

I say go for it! It sounds like you've thought it through, and in this case a prologue fits. I agree that sometimes they can be annoying/boring/unnecessary, but other times if you've got something great that sets a particular mood and gets the reader asking the right questions, I think they can be effective, sort of like the hook that grabs you and introduces you to a world before you get into its details and grit. I think they work well in the A Song of Ice and Fire Series, for instance. As a reader, I def read prologues and wouldn't skip over one, for what that's worth. Best of luck!

-Sandy

Angela Wallace link

8/19/2011 03:56:58 am

I read prologues, though I have read some that I ended up skimming because it was just bogged down backstory. I think prologues work when it covers an inciting incident that you can't tell from your MC's POV. I plan on having a short prologue for a future book in my series. I write in first person, and the inciting incident isn't something my MC witnesses.

Here's a question: if you're going to pursue the trad publishing route, would you hold back your prologue until after you get a deal, and then you and your agent can hash it out? Or is that dishonest? :-?

Heather L Reid link

8/19/2011 04:59:51 am

This is a tough question to answer. I don't mind a prologue if it's really needed. I never skip them either.

I had one in my WIP, which at one point I really wanted to keep. It was full of atmosphere and I loved it. In the end, I killed it. And the book is much better for it. It's ultimately your decision. I think you should go with your gut. It's well written and is creepy, which I love. I also love zombies, so I'm hooked already. :) I would, however cut quite a bit of the beginning. I think that can be woven in as back-story. My suggestion would be to start here instead:

Elisabeth had walked the path to the streambed enough in her seventeen years that even in the dark she managed her way just fine. The moon proved enough light to go by. No stumbling over brush or rocks. Each footstep was precise and careful. She knew what to do.

Anyway, that’s just my opinion for what it’s worth.  Hope it helps and good luck!

M. R. Cornelius link

8/19/2011 05:49:11 am

Read your query and your prologue. I think you should go for it, but agree it is too long. Here's my suggestion.
Stop the first time Beth says "Ma?"
We're not dumb. We know exactly what happened. And since the brothers don't live, just let the scene hang. Then during the telling of Red (whom I assume is Beth) the rest of the backstory can be told.
I always think of a prologue as a tease. You have give too much detail.
I started my novel H10N1 with a prologue because that scene was totally different from the rest of the story. Just a little taste of what was to come. If you want to check it out, go to my website at mrcornelius.com and click on the sample button.
Hope this helps. (Or at least does not offend.)

Angela Scott link

8/19/2011 06:06:55 am

Thanks so much guys (gals). I appreciate it. The feedback has been wonderful and the suggestions highly appreciated.

Good stuff. I plan to implement those ideas. It will make it stronger and whittle way the unneeded words (this book is becoming way to long as it is).

Oh, an M.R. I popped by your blog, checked out the sample, and then went on to buy the book. Holy crap! Awesome. Can't wait to read it. I love a good apocalypse.

Merry Farmer

8/19/2011 06:25:11 am

I'm with you on generally hating prologues but finding one necessary every once in a blue moon. And I do mean blue, blue moon. I've written several and scrapped them later. But one, only one, I've kept. That was because it depicts a crucial scene from my hero's childhood. Yep.

Thanks for the great post!

E.J. Wesley link

8/19/2011 07:34:56 am

I think it totally is up to the story. Keeping in mind that some stories need them, most do not. Like everything in the craft, if it's absolutely essential, use it. If it is even a tiny bit superfluous, cut it out.

Just my thoughts, and an epic debate! :-)

Sylvia link

8/19/2011 07:45:18 am

I once had a publisher tell me NEVER to write a prologue. Then I saw other books from his house published WITH a prologue. I guess timing is everything?

Dalya Moon link

8/19/2011 07:52:20 am

From what I can surmise, the prologue establishes that there are zombies, as well as some of the physics of zombies in this world: it's spread through bites and changes the person very quickly.

That's why you have the prologue, right?

I'm actually going to be devil's advocate here and say it might be exciting to play out the mystery a bit longer by not establishing all this in the prologue. I always enjoy starting a new paranormal book and wondering which set of rules it uses.

Just a thought. :-) It's a great prologue though, if you do keep it in!

Brenda D link

8/19/2011 07:56:43 am

I say go for it. I'm a prologue lover. I never skip them, because if done properly, they add an air of mystery to a story. And some stories really do need the prologue. Follow your gut instinct on this one!

J.L.Campbell link

8/19/2011 09:23:35 am

Angela, fun to read you as always.

I don't mind prologues, as long as they're not overly vague and confusing.

I think I like them because I've read so many articles that say not to do them. Seriously though, I use them based on the story I'm writing, not because I feel I can throw them in willy nilly.

I've just realized that I only have two novels that have them. The publisher didn't say to remove the books that in the process now, so I guess that worked out. I would definitely go without them if the editor said to take them out. Otherwise, I'm happy keeping them in.

Aaron

8/19/2011 09:49:11 am

I know what you mean about prologues not working. In many cases they don't and should just be called Chapter 1. But, then there are those prologues that just wouldn't work as Chapter 1, and what are you to do with them?

My novel will have a prologue for a couple of reasons. Primarily, I'm using it to satisfy the requirement to have a vivid scene of action and suspense to get the reader hooked into my fantasy/sci-fi adventure story. Why isn't it just Chapter 1? Because the main characters aren't in it. A major supporting character is, but only briefly.

It's a teaser, that two minute moment before the movie actually starts that gets the audience into the mindset to start accepting what they're about to see. I'm conceiving of my story in a cinematic sense, imagining each scene as though it were part of a film. This has helped me avoid a LOT of the pitfalls of being a novice writer since I'm focusing on the showing instead of telling, and I'm putting image and action together from the get go.

But I just haven't found a way to do it that works without that prologue.

Fingers crossed that it doesn't fail. ;-)

Christopher Kellen link

8/19/2011 11:48:11 am

Wow Angela - that prologue packs a lot of punch!

As an avid fantasy reader, I know that prologues are sometimes necessary. There are even times when they add something to the story, and those are the ones that should be left in.

I think yours adds enough that it should be left in - I really do. It's probably a bit too long, and I liked M.R. Cornelius' suggestion above. Leaving more to the readers' imagination can rarely hurt, and I think that in this case, letting them imagine it will be more powerful... even though your descriptions and your writing are *really* powerful in their own right.

I think I'm going to have to check out this book of yours.

Cheers!

- Chris

SMD link

8/19/2011 11:52:53 am

Personally, I hate them. I avoid reading them if I can, in part because I find them to be the mark of a lazy writer. Prologues are what writers do to avoid having to find ways to provide the full context in the story proper. At least, that's my opinion.

Dawn link

8/19/2011 10:14:47 pm

Angela, You are right, most prologues should not be there. I think you should put yours in if you feel strongly about it, but it needs to:

*be well done
*be meaningful to the story
*hook the reader

That is just my two cents. :0)

<a href="http://thewritesoil.blogspot.com/">The Write Soil</a>

Peggy link

8/19/2011 11:42:07 pm

I think it's up to the author and would much rather read a prologue than wade through a poorly formatted ebook.

Pam Bitner link

8/20/2011 08:53:58 am

I don't see anything wrong with them so long as it's a precursor to something that is going to happen and not one great big info dump. I wonder sometimes instead of using the naughty word 'prologue', why it's just not Chapter #1.

Dave Farmer link

8/21/2011 05:54:11 am

A tough one to make a decision on indeed. I think it depends on the context of the story, think of X-Men, in that movie the first sequence was of a concentration camp, which gave a sense of history and where it all began.

I also think it depends on the agent or publishers point of view and whether they're in favour of them and agree with the reasons for your prologue. My current WIP has a one page prologue, however, I've decided to incorporate it into some dialogue in chapter one, but only because it's unnecessary as a prologue.

So long as its not a huge info dump and adds something to the story, a prologue can be okay.

Lane Diamond link

8/21/2011 07:54:02 am

If its sole function is to set-up the story through preliminary foundational info (rather than taking a shortcut on current info that belongs in the story), and it's both critical and short, most readers will manage it.

Just keep it short, and apply the same literary rules (Show; Don't Tell) that you would in the main story. In other words, treat it as critical narrative, and not an information dump.

Mike link

8/21/2011 01:27:51 pm

A well-written prologue adds volumes to the book. As long as it is necessary and helps to explain what is going on, I'm all for it.

8/21/2011 02:22:50 pm

I read your prologue and boy was the writing riveting. But I don't like that I have so much invested in the girl only to have her succumb to the virus at the end. That pisses me off. I want to see her live, I want to see her survive. I feel cheated that she is going to die and I have to learn another character.

Lisette Brodey link

8/22/2011 10:14:30 am

Great blog.

It's definitely true. Most advice out there is anti-prologue. And for good reason. That said, I don't believe in any absolutes. Rules are made to be broken and prologues were made for books that need them.

Obviously, you've considered all of this, so I'm guessing the choice you've made is the right one for you and your book.

Good luck!

What's your opinion on prologues?

Leave a Reply.

Now Available!
It's HERE! Get your copy today!

My Books

Fun Stuff

My BLOG Awards

What's your opinion on prologues?

Leave a Reply.

Now Available!It's HERE! Get your copy today!

My Boo﻿ks

Fun Stuff

My BLOG Awards

Now Available!
It's HERE! Get your copy today!

My Books