I was asked recently if I thought prologues were a good idea, in general and in specific. My answer, helpfully enough - was 'it depends'.
So what does it depend upon?
A prologue is a great way to get your reader straight in to the middle of the story without having to set a scene or explain the events. Readers are trained to mentally file a prologue until it makes sense, but the flavour lingers on throughout their reading of the rest of the book.
What makes a bad prologue?
Personally, I have an intense dislike of serial killer prologues, where the reader is thrust into the mind of a deranged killer and his gruesome thoughts (and love for his mum), and then ping, we're back in the real world again.
A prologue that doesn't relate to the rest of the book, or get explained, is also a waste of time.
Does your novel have a prologue? What do you want your prologue to achieve?
(Editorial Consultant)
For the doesn't get explained part, what if the prologue isn't explained until a few books later, but in each book, something else is tacked on tot he prologue. Like, it's set a the future, or something. I'm not sure how to explain it...
Cressida,
Having done a fair share of reading, I agree with you that sometimes prologues fit and sometimes they don’t. I’ve noticed they mostly tend to work when explaining events that predate the occurences of the book and not too well when explaining something happening at the same time as the following chapters. My main book projects don’t have prologues, but I don’t rule out using one if appropriate.
Talking about prologues, I’ve been spending quite a bit of time recently preparing for my attempt at publication. Looking forward to seeing my work in print for the world to enjoy. I’ll keep everyone up to date as events unfold.
Xean
11/26/2010
I've heard agents and publishers hate prologues. So why do so many well-known writers have them, then?
I used one because the real action in my story didn't start until chapter 2 (though there was plenty of conflict in the first) and I wanted the fact it was a 'war story' to be apparrent from the off. It also let me introduce an important secondary character who does not re-appear until halfway through the book.
The second book's prologue is set just prior to the end, time-wise, posing the questions 'who is this dead person and how has he got here?' I won't know if it works as I hope until I'm finished.