On Writing and Worldbuilding, Volume I

by Timothy Hickson

an author owes no obligation in their work other than to write the story they wish to read.

The prologue-hook should be something that cannot be effectively communicated early in the main narrative because the main characters cannot know about it but is still crucial to the development of the tension in the narrative.

What makes a prologue necessary is that it introduces an element fundamental to understanding the novel from that point forward in a far more impactful way than exposition would.

“The best thing you can do for your book is to make sure the first chapter adequately represents the tone of the rest of the chapters, so the book as a whole seems cohesive.”

Using an unknowledgeable perspective character who is personally affected by learning the exposition helps the reader care about this information.