Quick question ...

[Cee]

Hi all,
A quick question - I'm sure I read somewhere that having a preface to your book is naff; that readers simply skip over and jump into the first chapter.

I could probably do with one, to avoid a sort of info dump in a conversation in the first chapter. What do you reckon?

[James]

There was some debate on this on Authonomy. The major view was that if a potential reader picks up a book to scan, and decide to buy or not then it could be a turn off. But I've used a preface for exactly the same reason as you describe.

In one book I later converted it into a new short first chapter, then a full page illustration before the book proper.

[Will]

This is a perennial question on absolute write. The general consensus is that prefaces or prologues are usually not a good idea because you really ought to start with chapter one and drip feed the back story later.

Info dumping in a preface or prologue is no better than info dumping in the first chapter.

But it is true that some genres are more preface/ prologue friendly than others. Fantasy, for example.

[Rob]

I'd be inclined to agree with Will. An info dump is seldom a good thing wherever you decide to put it. I've seen prologues work well when they describe something that happens in a different time - either long before the action or in the future, when the story is then told in retrospect. However, even then there's the question whether that should still just be called chapter one.

[Cee]

Thanks everyone.
My idea is the situation that would be 'preface' is happening at the same time as the event I have penciled for Chapter 1. The 'preface' bit would end succinctly with a (one sentence) statement explaining the basic reason leading to what is (at the same time- ish) happening in 'Chapter 1.'
The story is told in retrospect. It will probably fit into the 'fantasy' category.
That said, I guess the 'preface' could easily become Chapter 1 if it's best to avoid the 'P' word in general.
Cheers.

[Robert]

Yes, I agree with all. If you feel the words Preface or Prologue tickling the back of your mind, Call it Chapter One, or better still, give it a proper title "In the Beginning" or "Summer 1812" is a perfect get-away from the P word.
The only time I've see a P work is in something like a Victorian novel where the transcriber puts some background into the author's history (Sherlock Holmes HotB might have some of ACD's back story, explaining where Grimpen Mire was, and how the author came to be there etc.)
Otherwise, leave the Prologue to Frankie Howerd.

[Cee]

Rob wrote: "Yes, I agree with all. If you feel the words Preface or Prologue tickling the back of your mind, Call it Chapter One, or better still, give it a proper title "In the Beginning" or "Summer 1812" is ..."
Thank you Rob. Salute. :)