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Prologues
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I haven't read Twilight. I sometimes start with a snippet of action and then do a recap leading back up to that point but if it was a separate preface or prologue, you'd have to do something to demarcate when each bit was.I personally don't in the least mind prologues but I cut the one from my story and amalgamated it into the text when I discovered that there seemed to be some depth of feeling. I don't know why people seem to object to it but I decided that if they did, I could work round that. Wasn't bothered enough about the formatting of it to keep something that would vex readers.
But that was my first book and the first thing readers would ever have read of mine would be the 10% sample on Kindle, so while that decision worked for me, I don't for a minute think everyone should do the same!
As for subsequent books in a series, whether or not you should do a recap-type summary at the beginning ("Previously on [blah]")is a whole other question and one that I have yet to come to any decision about....!
JAC
I know agents, in particular, frown upon this sort of thing. But I'm self-pubbing. I'm not opposed to cutting it if, as you said, it will vex readers. I've had a couple betas tell me they like it - they said it was an intriguing intro. Not sure though if others might view it as a red flag when they read. As you mentioned, with this being a debut novel, I don't want to get too experimental. Thanks so much for your comment J.A.!
A very common use of prologues is to give information that doesn't launch the main storyline but will matter later. They typically feature characters or situations other than the protagonist, and often the reader will skip over them to get to the main story, and then appreciate them more on a later read. I don't think a prologue is an obstacle -- as I said, they tend to be skipped over and read later -- except that if you are selling on Kindle, your sample may be dominated by the prologue, meaning that in that one place, you don't really get to put best foot forward.
I had a friend tell me he uses the prologue as a sample for the book before it is released instead of using it in the story.
I read a lot of fantasy and you almost ALWAYS have a prologue in that sort of book (speculative fiction). The prologue sort of gives a glimpse of "that world" and the rules in it (magic, dragons, old gods, etc..)Personally, I hate prologues lol. I read them because I don't want to miss anything, but it's a chore because I know it is not advancing the story I will be told.
I almost never see prologues in other sorts of fiction. If it's set in today's world and the premise doesn't involve supernaturals as main characters, there really isn't much of a need (usually).
I figured out something VERY interesting with my book (nothing supernatural in it): readers who normally read fantasy wanted chapter 5 first. Fantasy books usually do a lot of "world building" early on either in a prologue or the first few chapters. It's boring stuff you need to know and fantasy readers are used to it. that's what my chapter 5 was like.
Non-fantasy readers want action first it seems. Something to grab and keep their interest. They don't need a lot of world building because in what they normally read, the world outside their window and its rules suffice.
That whole "world building" thing is also why, I think, such speculative fiction works are longer than other "novels". 80K words is normal for a fiction novel, 100K plus is more normal for a fantasy novel. After all, there is a lot more description needed for a made up world.
"He wore a dark gray suit with pinstripes," would suffice in the real world.
"His vest was slashed purple velvet and and tunic was made of soft cotton. His leather breeches were tucked into his high, soft boots and his tri-cornered felt hat was topped with an ostrich plume." Ok, that was REALLY bad description there, but you get the idea of why fantasy book take more world building and description and thus are longer.
All of that is to say that prologues may be "demanded" but certain types of readers and ignored by others.
Splitter
Hmmm. Hadn't thought of the Kindle sample. Good point. Thanks Matt! @ C.S. Yep, the prologue makes sense to me for some world-building, particularly in a fantasy novel, as you said.
How do you feel about scenes taken from later in the book and thrown at the beginning? I cringe, but I'll just be honest and say, as a draw. NOT a word-for-word, copy-and-paste. I mean a brief snippet that sets the tone for the novel?
Splitter, that's a really interesting point! I was given the advice to start with a bang, and rewrote so it did but it hadn't occurred to me that that was the difference. I'll tell you what though, readers who stick to their fave genres for the most part have different expectations as to complexity and character numbers according to the genre they read in, whereas omnivorous readers (so to speak) don't so much.
Keri, sorry for hijacking that! But it occurs to me to ask how long a snippet? If it's less than a page, I've seen that done but it usually goes before the title page and copyright page in that case, like a kind of advert (which in effect it is) - might that be an option or is it longer than that?
JAC
No you're not hijacking at all! I really appreciate the feedback I'm getting!The snippet is approximately 370 words. I could remove it without affecting the story because it doesn't provide any background info. But like I said, if truth be told, it is a draw. I had a writer suggest that I use it as a book teaser or as you mentioned, before the title page. I really like that idea...just wondering if it would turn readers off.
I really appreciate the comments. Incredibly helpful :)
I used to see teasers a lot before the book started, like one page or less. It was usually a part of a scene later in the book to give the reader a glimpse at the writing and the story.Not so much anymore though I liked it. I bought a lot of books, and rejected many, based on that little snippet.
Splitter
I've heard a lot of agents/publishers/editors say no to prologues and my writing critique group has debated a lot about whether they should be used (some of us have them, some don't). I write fantasy and my book does have a prologue. I agree that prologues seem more acceptable in fantasy than other genres. I was worried my editor might ask me to dump it before the book was published, but she was fine with it--whew! That said, I find myself glossing over a prologue that is just world building (like a history lesson about what happened eons before chapter 1 begins). I'd much rather read one with action or interesting characters. If you use a prologue, make sure it has a good hook.
I agree, I'm not usually turned off by the teasers and snippets. Thank you for the input Cindy. Nice to know the prologue wasn't axed!
Keri,
I generally do not like prologues, but there is a technique called the "narrative hook" which describes a scene that occurs early in the book which allows you to build suspense and hold the reader's interest while you do all that world building.
In high school, everything I wrote had a narrative hook. In college, my creative writing teacher hated the technique so I dropped it.
Now, I find the "chaos theory point" to start the story and everything that happened before that is back story. The "chaos theory point" is the one action or event without which the rest of the story would not have taken place.
For example, in my most recent release "Heron Baby Island" the "chaos theory point" is when the girl of his dreams trips over a high school nature photographer bringing them face to face for the first time while he is photographing a rare bird.
Bob Cherny
An author at Club Lighthouse Publishing
I generally do not like prologues, but there is a technique called the "narrative hook" which describes a scene that occurs early in the book which allows you to build suspense and hold the reader's interest while you do all that world building.
In high school, everything I wrote had a narrative hook. In college, my creative writing teacher hated the technique so I dropped it.
Now, I find the "chaos theory point" to start the story and everything that happened before that is back story. The "chaos theory point" is the one action or event without which the rest of the story would not have taken place.
For example, in my most recent release "Heron Baby Island" the "chaos theory point" is when the girl of his dreams trips over a high school nature photographer bringing them face to face for the first time while he is photographing a rare bird.
Bob Cherny
An author at Club Lighthouse Publishing
I recently did a first pages critique of a fantasy prologue on my blog, and recommended cutting the prologue. I felt this was a "just back story" prologue, which didn't draw me in. (You can see my explanation here, along with an example from another published fantasy novel that jumps into the action. http://chriseboch.blogspot.com/2011/1...
I also personally hate prologues from the point of view of the villain. I'm using the first couple of pages to decide whether I want to spend five or 10 hours with this character, so I want to meet the main character right away.
And I recently read a critique, I think in the Romance Writers Report, where an editor advised deleting the "snippet" prologue, because the editor didn't care about that dramatic action since she didn't yet know the main character.
So personally, I'd say if you think the prologue could be cut, cut it. Your opening scene should be enough to draw the reader in, without resorting to trickery to prove you'll have excitement later!
Hi Robert, initially I did start the story at what you might call the "chaos theory point", where the two main characters met. Unfortunately, I didn't do a great job in the first draft of establishing enough draw in the chapter :-\ I added a piece just before it and really gave the chapter a bit more punch. I'm happy with the first chapter and it's ability to snag some interest now. Hello Chris, I'm not a huge fan of long, drawn out prologues either. And I don't like reading from the antagonist POV at any point in the story simply because I don't WANT to have a connection with him/her, in the event I hope they're killed at the end! haha
You know, I've posted this question on Twitter, on Goodreads, and have asked my betas to weigh in on what they think. It's boiling down to readers versus writers/editors. And I know the writers/editors are readers too, so perhaps I should double their vote. Haha. But many of the readers say they like the snippet at the beginning,while some writer buds have recommended cutting it.
I'm really not opposed to cutting it. It adds nothing to the story, it only sets the tone. I've really beefed up the first Chapter with some interesting little deets that I think is enough of a draw. And as you mentioned, the reader has no connection to the characters. So why am I mentally debating over this at all? Strictly based on the reactions I've gotten from beta readers. Oy.
I've still got some time to toss it around though.
I appreciate your comments, Robert and Chris. You've both been very helpful in teasing out the pros and cons!
Keri, IMHO there is a world of difference between building some leading activity before the critical point and tacking on a prologue. If you need to establish "normal" before you change it, go right ahead, but just don't spend too much time at it or the readers may lose patience.
Bob
Bob
C.S. Splitter wrote: "I used to see teasers a lot before the book started, like one page or less. It was usually a part of a scene later in the book to give the reader a glimpse at the writing and the story.Not so mu..."
I liked those one page scenes too! It always worked to hook me into the book. Where have those pages gone?
Great point of views here. I like prologues but then i don't. It just depends i guess. I am a big beleiver in trying to hook the reader with the first chapter. Give them some action or enough about the story to make them wander about a character and draw them in that way... but I have read prologues that I like as well. I think it depends on the story.
I'm in the process of editing my novel and wanted to get some feedback from the group. Am curious to know what you think about a prologue/preface? Do you love them, hate them, skip them or are you indifferent?
I've heard the good and bad of how readers feel about them. I suppose I should also ask, does it frustrate you when the author takes a scene from later in the novel and turns it into a preface? I'm thinking of Twilight.