The Perplexing Prologue

“There are three rules to writing fiction. Unfortunately, no one can agree on what they are.”

- Somerset Maugham

We may never agree, but writers can and do argue endlessly about those rules. Prologues seem to be a frequent subject of discussion, and a major concern to beginning writers. What’s the big deal? Do prologues enrich good writing or are they useless appendages, to be cut off whenever they sprout?

First, let’s clarify what a prologue is. Technically speaking, a prologue is a frame, tha...