To Forward or Not To Forward That is the Question

It was recommended some months ago by my writers critique group that the first four paragraphs of my new book, The RTT Killer, be made into a Forward. The idea of a Forward to one of my novels had previously never occurred to me but one of the purposes of a critique groups is to receive suggestions; like adding a Forward.

Four months later, the members of the group were asking who was the narrator even though I had previously advised them that the narrator starts off the story by stating to be a friend of the protagonist and whose identity is revealed on the last page. I mentioned in passing to them that they had recommended to me that I revise the first chapter and make the original first four paragraphs into a Forward. They all responded that they would never, never recommend a Forward. Such is the life in a critique group, opinions thunderously heartened one session and then vehemently denied in the next.

An Internet site states that the difference between a Forward and an Introduction is that a Forward is not part of the book and is usually written by someone other than the author. Well that certainly does not fit this situation were I would be composing the Forward.

The Internet site also states that an Introduction is written by the author and is part of the book. An Introduction cannot be removed without affecting the reader’s experience while the a Forward can be removed without altering the reader’s understanding of the book.

Based on the above, I will follow their advise and not include a Forward, since it does not fit the definition anyway, but I will include an Introduction.

Steven Tyler

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