Prologues are great if they add something to the story that wouldn’t be anywhere else.
Your example of the woman before she is murdered is a good one.
It happens a lot in bad fantasy fiction - the prologue stops us from getting to the action. Having to read 3000 words explaining the world and the magic system, when you could just dive straight into the dragon eating the knight.
I also added a prologue to my first draft. I’ve been uncertain about whether to keep it. I have now rewritten it to improve clarity on the advice of some feedback and now feel it deserves its place, hinting at the drama which unfolds later,
I noticed that the book I just started reading had what felt like a prologue but was called "Chapter 1." I thought that was an interesting take, but wondered if it was simply to avoid this prologue issue. My WIP has always had a prologue, and though I think it's the best place for it, I think it might be hurting my opportunity with agents.
Prologues are great if they add something to the story that wouldn’t be anywhere else.
Your example of the woman before she is murdered is a good one.
It happens a lot in bad fantasy fiction - the prologue stops us from getting to the action. Having to read 3000 words explaining the world and the magic system, when you could just dive straight into the dragon eating the knight.
Yes. 3,000 words is a lot. Mine is less than a page at present.
I also added a prologue to my first draft. I’ve been uncertain about whether to keep it. I have now rewritten it to improve clarity on the advice of some feedback and now feel it deserves its place, hinting at the drama which unfolds later,
Yes, I think a prologue is useful for that. Not sure why some folk are against them tbh…
I noticed that the book I just started reading had what felt like a prologue but was called "Chapter 1." I thought that was an interesting take, but wondered if it was simply to avoid this prologue issue. My WIP has always had a prologue, and though I think it's the best place for it, I think it might be hurting my opportunity with agents.
Hi Tara- that’s interesting. I hadn’t thought of doing that as a way of avoiding the issue. Will think on it.