To Prologue, or Not to Prologue? That's a Good Question.

Ah yes, the intriguing world of prologues in fiction writing. The sneaky little bit at the beginning of a novel that sometimes leaves us scratching our heads, eagerly flipping pages for more, or (for some) automatically skipping over it in dismissal as a "section of irrelevance" from past experience.   

This applies to readers, but be aware that it can also apply to literary agents and publishers; some don’t mind prologues, but some will automatically be wary of a submission if it begins with the word "Prologue" instead of "Chapter One". 

Could it be they've all read too many prologues that weren't executed correctly? (I'm just saying I consider it a strong possibility.) 

So, what's the deal with prologues? 

Here's what I know:

By definition, a prologue is a short introductory section of a book that sets the stage, provides context, or offers a tantalizing glimpse into what's to come. 

They can take many forms: a scene from the past, a flash-forward, a newspaper clipping, or even a cryptic message, to name some. 

A common defining feature of the prologue is that it in some way doesn’t "match" or "fit in" with the rest of the story, typically via: 

• Occurring at a different time and/or place to the events of the main story OR 
• Told from the perspective of a character whose point of view isn't shown in the main story. For example, in a crime/thriller novel, the prologue might be told from the perspective of a murder victim, while the rest of the novel is told from the point of view of the detective trying to solve the murder.

What's their use?

Well, they can be handy tools for hooking reader attention right from the get-go. Maybe the main story starts with a slow burn, and you want to grab readers with an action teaser right off the bat. Or perhaps there is need to establish a piece of crucial backstory, or important worldbuilding elements that simply can't wait until Chapter One. 

Jurassic Park is an unusual example in that it presents not one, but two prologues (though one is labeled an “introduction”). The contrast between these two prologues can be seen as a prologue done right, and a prologue a bit off the mark. 

The first prologue, “The InGen Incident,” is heavy on exposition, reading like a short historical account of genetic engineering. While the chapter does hint at what's to come (an exploration of the ethical implications of bioengineering), it’s a read some think is "pretty dry". 

The following prologue, “The Bite of the Raptor,” is a more compelling starting point. It tells of a doctor treating a critically wounded construction worker whose injuries aren’t quite adding up. While the official story is that the worker has been hit by an earth mover, his clean wounds and intact bones suggest something else happened, and before he dies, he mumbles the words “lo sa raptor.” As the doctor struggles to translate the dying man's words, mystery of what the truth is ramps up. 

While the initial prologue is certainly relevant, it may be considered a bit indulgent, giving readers more information than strictly needed to begin the main story. The second prologue does a better job of creating intrigue and kicks off the novel’s action effectively. 

Done right, a prologue can add depth and intrigue to the story. If not done properly, it can come off as unnecessary or confusing filler. 

How can you tell a prologue is a good one?

It all comes down to relevance. 

If you've written and plan on including a prologue, ask yourself: 

• Does this prologue serve a vital purpose?
• Does it enhance reader understanding of the story or characters? OR
• Am I just tossing it in there because it seems like a cool idea?

If you're undecided about whether your story could benefit from a prologue, here are a few scenarios where one might come in handy: 

1. Setting the Scene: If the story takes place in a complex or unfamiliar world, a prologue can provide some much-needed context to help readers ease into the narrative. 

2. Introducing Key Events: Is there a pivotal moment in the story's history that directly impacts the main plot? A prologue can give readers a front-row seat to the action without bogging down the main storyline. 

3. Establishing Tone or Theme: Sometimes, a prologue can set the tone for the rest of the book, giving readers a taste of what's to come and building anticipation for the journey ahead. 

A great prologue will set the scene and intrigue readers, without infodumping or giving the game away. 

Shoot for short and immersive, and—as always—show, don’t tell.  

How do you make sure it's well-written?

5 guidelines for writing a prologue for a novel: 

1. Include one for the right reasons 

2. Center it on character action 

3. Focus on what you want readers to get out of it 

4. Keep foreshadowing subtle 

5. Avoid drowning readers with infodump

1. Include a prologue for the right reasons 

Writers often insert a prologue to prop up what they think is a flat or boring first chapter. But a prologue shouldn’t be substitute for an interesting first chapter. Following an enticing prologue with a weak Chapter One can leave readers feeling let down. 

However, there are great reasons to employ a prologue. These include: 

• Showing a moment near the story’s climax to create tension in medias res. 
• Introducing a character or location not present in the first chapter to create suspense. 
• Establishing atmosphere or a central theme to pull readers further into the story. 

Try to pin down what you want the prologue to do, and if you can’t, discuss your concerns with your developmental editor (that's me!), who will be able to weigh in on whether the story really needs one or not. 

2. Center a prologue on character action  

Even if the prologue needs to relay information about the story's world, it should always focus on character action. This helps draw readers into the story. 

Ensure something happens in the prologue. While the obvious choice may be to center the prologue around a main character, many great prologues focus on a peripheral figure. This allows the novel to introduce a new perspective that may not be easily found in the main body of the story. 

Perhaps the prologue’s narrator is a foil for the protagonist, providing context or highlighting their more unusual qualities. 

Maybe it is written from the antagonist's point of view, introducing conflict right from the start. 

Or it could be a character whose identity is not revealed to the reader; a mystery narrator (whose identity is later revealed) can be most intriguing. 

Whichever character you choose to frame the prologue, focus on them doing rather than thinking to create forward momentum. 

3. Focus on what you want readers to get out of it 

Prologues are an opportunity to plant key themes or motifs. 

The prologue sets the tone for what is to come and provides readers with a context for the body of the narrative. Focusing on key themes within the prologue also allows greater cohesion, marrying what seems like an unrelated preamble with the rest of the story. Hinting at the story’s underlying theme can also heighten curiosity and anticipation for what’s next. 

Readers naturally want to understand the greater meaning of what they’ve been shown—and they assume all will be revealed later in the book. What is highlighted in the prologue will have significance in the minds of readers; choose a focus carefully. 

Not every theme has to appear in a prologue—it’s sometimes best to keep it simple and focus on a key theme that can be condensed into the brief format of a prologue. 

4. Keep foreshadowing subtle 

Pique reader interest by holding back on the transparency. Heavy foreshadowing runs the risk of spoiling twists and turns that happen later, so ensure that any hints you do give aren't enough to deflate readers’ sense of anticipation. Ideally, clues should be relatively vague or cryptic: suggestive enough to establish the tone and create intrigue, while compelling readers to move forward. Clues too clear or straightforward risk the rest of the story becoming redundant.  

5. Avoid drowning readers with infodump 

There may be countless things about the world that you want to share with readers but remember that this is their first taste of the book. Keep in mind that worldbuilding at its best requires continuous application. A prologue can certainly play a helpful part in worldbuilding but should never be a substitute for it.

Many new (and experienced) writers feel the need to tell readers everything about the world of their book within the prologue, but this kind of exposition commonly leads to readers switching off, or worse, reshelving the book and buying something else. 

Trust in reader ability to wait for information and piece things together—it's the fun part of reading!

Whether you appreciate them or not, it’s hard to deny the impact a prologue can have when used effectively. 

If you’re intrigued by the possibilities, I say give it a shot. Who knows? You may start your next masterpiece with a bang! 

That said, keep in mind: prologues aren't always necessary. In fact, if the story works fine without a prologue, by all means, don't feel the need to include one. 

If you do decide to include a prologue, make sure it pulls its weight. Keep it concise, relevant, and engaging—readers will thank you for it. 

Go forth and author-ize, you magnificent storytellers!