Why Prologues Can Be a Problem for New Fiction Writers (and What to Do Instead)
Hello, fiction writers! Let's talk about something that stirs up debate in writing circles almost as much as Oxford commas and whether "said" is dead: prologues.
Some authors love them. Some agents roll their eyes at them. And for early-stage writers—those still finding their voice and rhythm—prologues can be a sneaky little trap dressed in fancy backstory.
So what's the deal? Should you write a prologue, or are you better off jumping straight into Chapter One? Let's dig into what prologues are, what problems they can cause (especially for new writers), and how to know if yours is helping or hurting your story.
🧐 First, What Is a Prologue?
A prologue is a section that comes before the main story starts. It may occur at a different time, show a distinct character, or provide the background your reader needs to understand what's coming.
Sounds harmless. Sometimes it is. But sometimes… it's the literary equivalent of starting a marathon by tripping over your shoelaces.
🚧 Common Prologue Problems for Newer Writers
1. It's All Backstory, No Hook
Many first-time writers use a prologue to info-dump everything they think the reader needs to know before the story starts: the world's history, the villain's childhood trauma, the political system of the realm, the family curse from six generations ago...
Here's the thing: readers don't care yet.
Example of a flat start:
"Two hundred years ago, the kingdom of Sorthal was ruled by the High Lord of Flame, whose bloodline was corrupted by the Nightwind, a dark spirit from beyond the veil of... Zzzzzzz..."
Better approach:
Hook your reader first with Chapter One's action, tension, or mystery. Let them learn about the world as they go.
2. It Feels Disconnected from the Main Story
Prologues often occur far before or after the novel's main events. If the connection isn't clear or doesn't show up again until Chapter 20, readers forget about it—or worse, feel misled.
Personal Anecdote:
In my first attempt at a fantasy novel, I wrote an epic, dramatic prologue full of fire and prophecy. By Chapter Five, even I had forgotten how it connected. My beta reader's comment? "Cool opening. Is this a different book?" Oof.
3. It Delays the Story's Momentum
In the age of TikTok attention spans, you've got a page or two to grab a reader. If your prologue meanders or drags, it might be the last thing they read.
Agents and editors have confessed they often skip prologues. If you're using one, it has to be stellar.
4. It Repeats What Chapter One Could Do Better
Sometimes, the prologue sets up an event that gets repeated or retold in Chapter One—usually in a more engaging way. In that case, why not just start with Chapter One?
Example:
Prologue: "A child is left on a doorstep under mysterious circumstances."
Chapter One: "Eighteen years later, she still doesn't know where she came from..."
🤷♂️ Readers get the point without the extra scene.
🧠 When Prologues Do Work
Okay, now that we've dragged prologues a bit, let's be fair: they're not all bad. Some can add richness, tension, or mystery—if used wisely.
✅ When they work:They introduce a compelling mystery that pays off early in the story.They provide a different POV that the main narrative doesn't allow.They set the tone or stakes with an intense, engaging scene.They're short, sharp, and punchy—like a teaser trailer. Example:
In Game of Thrones, the prologue shows us the White Walkers—terrifying, mysterious, and not seen again for a while. But it instantly raises stakes and tension. You know they're coming.
🚦So... Should You Use a Prologue?
Ask yourself:Could this info be woven into the main narrative more naturally?Is it really essential to understanding Chapter One?Does it raise tension or just explain stuff?Will readers remember it when it matters? If you answer "no" to most of those, it might be time to hit delete—or repurpose the prologue as a later flashback, interlude, or backstory drip.
✂️ Prologue Alternatives That Work for Newer WritersCold open scene from the protagonist's POV that throws us into a problem.Flashback chapter later in the book, once we care about the characters.Start with Chapter One and work the backstory in through tension, conflict, and dialogue.
🎬 Wrapping It Up
Prologues aren't evil. They're easy to misuse, especially when new to the fiction game. Go for it if yours is compelling, relevant, and directly tied to the story's stakes. But if it's just there to explain things before the "real story" begins, maybe give Chapter One the spotlight it deserves.
Think of it this way: your prologue should be the appetizer that makes people hungry—not the whole buffet before the main course.
What about you? Do you write prologues—or skip them altogether? Do you have a prologue you're proud of (or one buried in the revision graveyard)? Share your thoughts in the comments—I'd love to hear your take!
Some authors love them. Some agents roll their eyes at them. And for early-stage writers—those still finding their voice and rhythm—prologues can be a sneaky little trap dressed in fancy backstory.
So what's the deal? Should you write a prologue, or are you better off jumping straight into Chapter One? Let's dig into what prologues are, what problems they can cause (especially for new writers), and how to know if yours is helping or hurting your story.
🧐 First, What Is a Prologue?
A prologue is a section that comes before the main story starts. It may occur at a different time, show a distinct character, or provide the background your reader needs to understand what's coming.
Sounds harmless. Sometimes it is. But sometimes… it's the literary equivalent of starting a marathon by tripping over your shoelaces.
🚧 Common Prologue Problems for Newer Writers
1. It's All Backstory, No Hook
Many first-time writers use a prologue to info-dump everything they think the reader needs to know before the story starts: the world's history, the villain's childhood trauma, the political system of the realm, the family curse from six generations ago...
Here's the thing: readers don't care yet.
Example of a flat start:
"Two hundred years ago, the kingdom of Sorthal was ruled by the High Lord of Flame, whose bloodline was corrupted by the Nightwind, a dark spirit from beyond the veil of... Zzzzzzz..."
Better approach:
Hook your reader first with Chapter One's action, tension, or mystery. Let them learn about the world as they go.
2. It Feels Disconnected from the Main Story
Prologues often occur far before or after the novel's main events. If the connection isn't clear or doesn't show up again until Chapter 20, readers forget about it—or worse, feel misled.
Personal Anecdote:
In my first attempt at a fantasy novel, I wrote an epic, dramatic prologue full of fire and prophecy. By Chapter Five, even I had forgotten how it connected. My beta reader's comment? "Cool opening. Is this a different book?" Oof.
3. It Delays the Story's Momentum
In the age of TikTok attention spans, you've got a page or two to grab a reader. If your prologue meanders or drags, it might be the last thing they read.
Agents and editors have confessed they often skip prologues. If you're using one, it has to be stellar.
4. It Repeats What Chapter One Could Do Better
Sometimes, the prologue sets up an event that gets repeated or retold in Chapter One—usually in a more engaging way. In that case, why not just start with Chapter One?
Example:
Prologue: "A child is left on a doorstep under mysterious circumstances."
Chapter One: "Eighteen years later, she still doesn't know where she came from..."
🤷♂️ Readers get the point without the extra scene.
🧠 When Prologues Do Work
Okay, now that we've dragged prologues a bit, let's be fair: they're not all bad. Some can add richness, tension, or mystery—if used wisely.
✅ When they work:They introduce a compelling mystery that pays off early in the story.They provide a different POV that the main narrative doesn't allow.They set the tone or stakes with an intense, engaging scene.They're short, sharp, and punchy—like a teaser trailer. Example:
In Game of Thrones, the prologue shows us the White Walkers—terrifying, mysterious, and not seen again for a while. But it instantly raises stakes and tension. You know they're coming.
🚦So... Should You Use a Prologue?
Ask yourself:Could this info be woven into the main narrative more naturally?Is it really essential to understanding Chapter One?Does it raise tension or just explain stuff?Will readers remember it when it matters? If you answer "no" to most of those, it might be time to hit delete—or repurpose the prologue as a later flashback, interlude, or backstory drip.
✂️ Prologue Alternatives That Work for Newer WritersCold open scene from the protagonist's POV that throws us into a problem.Flashback chapter later in the book, once we care about the characters.Start with Chapter One and work the backstory in through tension, conflict, and dialogue.
🎬 Wrapping It Up
Prologues aren't evil. They're easy to misuse, especially when new to the fiction game. Go for it if yours is compelling, relevant, and directly tied to the story's stakes. But if it's just there to explain things before the "real story" begins, maybe give Chapter One the spotlight it deserves.
Think of it this way: your prologue should be the appetizer that makes people hungry—not the whole buffet before the main course.
What about you? Do you write prologues—or skip them altogether? Do you have a prologue you're proud of (or one buried in the revision graveyard)? Share your thoughts in the comments—I'd love to hear your take!
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