Prologues Are The New Black
I just finished judging entries for three contests. I noticed one trend: prologues. Out of 16 entries, something like 10 had a prologue. I’ve written 8 novellas and 4 single titles and have never written a prologue. Never even thought about writing a prologue. I feel like I missed a memo or something.
In a few of these cases - mostly in romantic suspense entries - I understood why the author used the prologue. Didn’t see that it was absolutely necessary, but did see that the prologue allowed the author to set up and introduce a previous crime before diving into the story. Other times, I didn’t have a clue what the prologue was supposed to tell me that couldn’t have been told in one of the chapters. In two cases, the prologues were way too long for my taste. See, I expect a prologue, if there is one, to be short and contian only necessary information I’ll need at some point. Seems to me, if it’s 6-8 pages long, it’s a chapter.
I’m wondering if the prologue is being viewed as a way (maybe an easier way) to introduce some backstory items rather than weaving them in later. Whatever the reason for it, the prologue is a device a lot of unpublished writers appear to be using. It’s fine. I just find it curious. Makes me think there was a online class or an editor talked about prologues somewhere or something.
April 29th, 2008 at 11:17 am
I don’t think there’s a secret prologue class, LOL. I think it’s probably just what you say–that it seems easier to the writer (or maybe feels necessary to the writer, when it really isn’t necessary) to introduce information in the prologue.
April 29th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
Generally, I don’t like prologues. I want to get right into the story with chapter 1. And I believe Jennifer Crusie feels the same way. I took a workshop by Bob Mayer where he suggested using prologues in certain situations and Jennifer had edited his PowerPoint slide with the words “or just don’t use them!” And she was in the audience shaking her head at him. Obviously, there are a few differing opinions on the subject. But I can see how in a the right context, they can add to the story. But I think you’ve really gotta know what you’re doing so as not to slow down the story.
April 29th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
I just read a prologue in a pubbed book (also for a contest) that should have been the first chapter. There was absolutely no reason for it to be called prologue, imo. I agree with everything you’ve said. This book was a romantic suspense, but the prologue wasn’t really backstory, or in the killer’s pov or anything.
April 29th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
I once had a prologue. Then I heard half a dozen agents and editors scream “KISS OF DEATH!!!!” and found a better place to start. Your entrants obviously don’t haunt the same places I do…
April 29th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
I’ve heard that inexperienced writers shouldn’t attempt prologues because they are hard to do effectively. Maybe it’s like head-hopping. Almost impossible to do that well, isn’t it?
As a reader, I get really cranky if the prologue doesn’t introduce one of the main characters.
April 30th, 2008 at 10:37 am
I’m with you, If there is a back story I want a prologue esp. if their was a previous book that I missed and I need the info to make this book understandable but I generally like it short and sweet. I was also on another authors website recently and a fan wrot about another author their and the fact that there was a repetativeness to the authors books that she disliked. I’m not sure she’ll read what I wrote but I think it’s important to point out again that not everyone reads ta series of books starting with book1. When I first read the author in question, I had started at book 13! I have since found and bought every back and new book in the series. Some information MUST be repeated in each book, or else the story lacks the information to bring you into their world.