I. Background
Let’s start with a little background info on prologues. Here are a few lines from an encyclopedia entry on prologues…
A prefatory and supplementary piece to a literary work, especially a verse drama. The ancient Greek prologos was of wider significance than the modern prologue, effectually taking the place of an explanatory first act.
Here are some definitions for those more obscure terms:
Prefaratory: Of or pertaining to a Preface (a.k.a. prologue).
Supplementary: Supplemental. Added to furnish what is lacking or missing.
Effectually: Producing or capable of producing an intended effect.
Explanatory: Serving to explain.
The ancient Greek prologos: basically, an ancient type of prologue.
II. The Prologue Should Not Exist For the Sole Purpose of Having a Prologue
It’s such a big misconception that a prologue is supposed to be there, that it’s a necessary part of fiction writing. This is especially apparent with fantasy writers. Well, it’s not. There are the right reasons for a prologue, and the wrong reasons for a prologue.
Right reason: a prologue should exist to effectually suplement the story, not hinder it. Some explanatory prose can be used here if used well (meaning, don't put your reader to sleep by elaborating on the exact diets of the completely normal humans in your story). Foreshadowing that isn’t obvious foreshadowing can also be excellent when used here.
Wrong reason: all the other fantasy novels (or any other genre) has one!
A. The First Chapter Prologue
This is the prologue that flows right into the rest of the story. If you finish writing a prologue and end up going directly into what happens right after that, you have this prologue. When this happens, change that little name at the start from “prologue” to “chapter one”.
B. The Longer Than the First Chapter Prologue
If it’s longer than the first chapter of your story, you have a problem. Mostly, if it has to be more than a few pages (and that’s printed in a bound novel pages, mind you) then it’s most likely falling into another one of these categories. Plus, I personally find it really annoying. Cut it down or cut it out.
C. The Prologue with Relevancy Issues
This is the one that either has absolutely nothing to do with the rest of the story, or appears to have nothing to do with the rest of the story until the very end. This is annoying to no end. It leaves the reader wondering what the heck the prologue meant and they’re trying to figure it out the entire novel and left entirely unsatisfied or more annoyed than when they started.
D. The Give Away Prologue
This one is often in the form of a prophecy or legend telling the reader something along the lines of: the sought after item is in this location. Now the reader knows exactly what the MC needs to find and exactly where he will find it. After that, what’s the point of reading the rest of the story? This can be done well if it is very subtle.
III. Omitting the Prologue
Yes, I said it: just cut the thing straight out! In fact, don’t even start there. Start right into the first chapter, where the actual story will begin. Weave details into the plot instead of dumping them at the beginning. Let the reader figure out where the magical quest item with the hero. It’ll be more exciting that way for both parties.
Later on, if you discover that maybe you could use a prologue for some of the right reasons, then by all means add it. But maybe before you do, have someone else read it and see if they think something big needs clarifying or the like.
Remember, contribute to your story don’t take away from it.
-Lauren-
