Prologues - Your Thoughts

[T.R.]

Authors are told to give due care to the front and back matter of their books. However, how do readers see these? Are authors wasting their time or are readers missing out? This is the first in a short series of quick surveys to try and find the answers. Your help would be welcome. Will only take 10-20 seconds of your time but could prove very beneficial to all.

http://bit.ly/2ONdoty

Your participation is appreciated.

Results will be publishing in due course.

[T.R.]

Jacquelynn wrote: "I have put in a prologue in my work in progress, but I am in two minds about it, and could easily be persuaded to remove it.

As a reader, I think it depends on the book."

Thank you for your thoughts Jacquelynn. Once I have all the results in (from a short series of surveys) I will base an article upon the findings. May be too late for your decision regarding current work but will hopefully help in the future.

[Jud]

A prologue should be part of the story though? Why wouldn't a reader read it? And I don't see how ereaders would miss it as that should be where the story starts.

Do you mean like an authors note or something that isn't part of the story?

[Jud]

Okay, I was a bit confused but probably because it would never occur to me to not read it.

[Tim]

I usually have a prologue, or at least I start with something that's not immediately connected to the main plot. But I call it "Chapter 1".

[Chris]

A prologue is a bit like a guy standing at the door telling you something about what you're going to find when you go through it. I think usually it's better just to let people go straight in at the door and find out for themselves.

[Jess]

I read everything in book. Prologue, introduction, foreward, epilogue, acknowledgements, Q&A. I feel incomplete if I skip anything.

The only exception is when it looks like the introduction might contain spoilers which sometimes happens with classics.

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

If something is marked as a prologue, I do read them, they are normally there because they are part of the story.

[Jess]

I think some people might be a bit confused about terminology. A prologue is normally part of a fictional story and is written by the author. It usually takes place before the story (but could also be a flash forward) and it serves to either provide world building or exposition or to hook you into the story by putting you in the middle of a mystery or event.

An introduction or a foreword can be written by the author or by somebody else. They are most commonly found in classics and later editions of a book and put the book into it's historical context.

I see prologues as essential reading and introductions and forewords as optional (although I usually read them)

[G J (Gaff to my friends)]

Before I give you my opinion about prologues, let me tell about something I read on Tor once ...

Just kidding. I've always thought that if an author deems a prologue/epilogue necessary, then fine, so long as it helps the story to progress. If it's irrelevant, then it's unnecessary, but only author can decide that for themselves. We're heading into dangerous territory when publishers or, god forbid, readers start telling people how to write. Imaging telling an artist that they can only paint a certain subject, or sculpt in a certain style!

[Kath]

Or only use blue. Though I seem to remember that Picasso got away with that. ;)

[T.R.]

Jud wrote: "A prologue should be part of the story though? Why wouldn't a reader read it? And I don't see how ereaders would miss it as that should be where the story starts.

Do you mean like an authors note ..."

No Jud, I mean a prologue. I have seen various comments round the internet which indicate some authors do not really understand what a prologue should contain and some readers do to understand what they are about. This is why I have decided to gather some information. Thank you for taking the time to comment.

[T.R.]

Jacquelynn wrote: "It should certainly be part of the story. But it may be in a different style, or telling something from a different perspective, or telling them something that's going to happen much later in the b..."

But if the author has gone to the trouble of writing a prologue, should it not be because it contains something essential to the overall read? From what I have seen there are a wide variety of opinions which is why I have decided to try and gain an insight by asking people to share their opinions and ideas. Thank you for your input.

[T.R.]

Jess wrote: "I think some people might be a bit confused about terminology. A prologue is normally part of a fictional story and is written by the author. It usually takes place before the story (but could also..."

I agree Jess. There is also some confusion about the difference between a prologue and a preface. I am hoping to bring some clarity once I have gained a sense of how a wide range of people see these. I appreciate you taking the time to provide your very clear explanation.

[T.R.]

G J (Gaff to my friends) wrote: "Before I give you my opinion about prologues, let me tell about something I read on Tor once ...

Just kidding. I've always thought that if an author deems a prologue/epilogue necessary, then fine,..."

Agreed G J Authors have their 'unique voice' and no one should be allowed to interfere with that. However, there does appear to be a lot of confusion and not just among readers. Some authors do not appear to understand the concept of differences. That is why I am seeking peoples input: to gain an insight that will hopefully help us all in the end. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

[T.R.]

Thank you everyone for taking the time to share your thoughts, opinions and observations. I am really finding it all very helpful. If you have not done so already, I would appreciate you also completing the survey. I know it is not as comprehensive as it could be but I needed to provide something quick and easy to complete. The results of that combined with your comments will enable a full body, rounded, resume to be prepared. You may access the survey here: http://bit.ly/2ONdoty