I get quite a lot of questions about whether prologues are necessary, whether agents frown or smile at them, and whether they should be included in partial requests.
So consider this a post on all things prologue.
UPDATED 5/30/19
What’s a prologue?
What is a prologue? Typically it is 3-5 pages of introductory material that is written while the author is procrastinating from writing a more difficult section of the book.
Ah, I’m kidding.
It’s usually a scene that’s separate from the main plot of a novel that provides an introduction, often for atmospheric or tone-setting effect.
The most common question I get about prologues: are prologues necessary?
The prologue litmus test
Personally I think the easiest litmus test is to take out the prologue and see if your book still makes sense.
If you can take out a prologue and the entire plot still makes perfect sense, chances are the prologue was indeed written to “set the mood.”
But here’s the thing about mood-setting: most of the time you can set the mood when the actual story begins. Do you really need to set the mood with a separate prologue? Really? Really really?
Sometimes the answer to those four reallys is: “yes, really.” Or the prologue is to be used as a framing device around the plot or to introduce a crucial scene in the backstory that will impact the main plot.
So okay, prologue time.
What makes a good prologue
What makes a good one?
Short, self-contained, comprehensible.
The reader knows full well while reading a prologue that the real story is waiting. A prologue makes a reader start a book twice, because it doesn’t always involve the protagonist, and starting a book is hard because it takes mental energy to immerse oneself in a world. You’re asking more of a reader, so they’ll want to make sure it’s worth it.
As for the more nuts and bolts concern of whether it should be included in partials sent to agents: yes. It should.
Agents want to see the first 30 pages as you want them to send them to the editor. They want to experience your novel as your ultimate reader would. If that involves a prologue… let’s see it.
Do you like when authors use prologues? What makes good ones work?
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Art: In the library by Ludwig Valenta
Mark Terry says
Prologues sure gets some people going. My take on prologues is simple:
If the book takes place in a specific time frame and you want some sort of introductory material or part of the story takes place in a different time or place, a prologue works very well. For instance, in my novel The Devil’s Pitchfork, the story itself takes place in about 28 hours pretty much in the Washington, DC area. But I wanted to introduce the good guy and the bad guy, what happened to them, what happened to the bad guy to make him a bad guy, and to do that, I had a scene that took place X number of years earlier during the first Iraq War when they were both Special Operations soldiers behind enemy lines.
Otherwise, I question the value of prologues.
Christine H says
I am so glad Nathan put this up today! It goes right to the heart of my current dilemma.
I am writing a fantasy novel in which the action is motivated by something that happened in the past, specifically, a civil war. Now, if I were to refer to the American Civil War, readers would instantly have a frame of reference. But because this takes place in a different world, they have no idea who fought whom or why, or who won.
I wrote the first chapter so that it jumps right into the story and I love the way it flows, but my test readers are begging to know more information about what happened before, and about the world and the people who live there, so that they can put the current conflict into context.
So, the other day I inserted some expository material here and there, but think it interrupts that lovely flow I used to have. So now I’m considering a brief prologue – or forward – or whatever you call it. Maybe just two paragraphs, like those words that scroll at the beginning of Star Wars.
But I’m also thinking, “Well, hey, maybe it’s a good thing that they want to know more. Maybe that will keep them reading.” As the book is now, the history from the past is explained mostly in some dialogue in Chapter Two, and also in other dribs and drabs throughout the story.
Any suggestions?
P.S. Feeling both bold and desperate today, I am putting the opening scene, with and without the exposition, up on my blog. So anyone who feels moved to go there and express an opinion is welcome to do so.
adrcremer says
Nathan,
Off-topic anecdote: There was a line in Dollhouse ep. 6 that immediately made me think of you.
After FBI agent threatens internet mogul, said i-mogul replies haughtily:
“You’re talking about taking on the entire e-industry. They’ll throw the Kindle at you.”
Sarah says
As a reader, I often skip a prologue unless it’s short and absolutely enthralling. In the back of my mind, I’m ready to get to where the real story begins.
I think Terry Pratchett writes prologues sometimes. But then, I adore his books, so I trust his prologues (if that makes sense).
Deaf Indian Muslim Anarchist! says
A prologue would be good for a historical book or a sequel, but for a novel with completely new characters, there’s really no need for a prologue.
allegory19 says
At first I was thinking “Ugh – I HATE prologues” – But now I’m thinking that I just haven’t read a good one.
If a prologue did “set up a false expectation” or “impacted the protagonist in a crucial way” I’d probably feel different about them.
And Rick said it best:
It makes me want to keep reading. I think every page in a good book should do that, regardless of whether you call it Prologue, Epilogue, or Chapter 37.
AMEN!
Sun Up says
Some of the best books I’ve ever read didn’t have prologues.
But I suppose it’s all in how you present it…
Bad prologues make me itch in not so pretty places.
Erika Robuck says
I’m a prologue junky. I love to read them, I love to write them. They’re like literary foreplay–the text is sweeter when you have to wait (just a little while) for it.
Kristi says
Interesting post – I think Stephanie Meyer may be part of the reason you have an explosion of prologues in your inbox. I do have a short prologue to my fantasy MG novel, however, I was already planning on sending it to my critique group for their “yea” or “ney” on including it with the final version. BTW, I thought the prologue in WATER FOR ELEPHANTS was brilliant.
I am also extremely interested in Bryan’s questions regarding short stories, so I’d love your knowledge on that subject. I just finished several adult ones (meaning for grown-ups, not x-rated!), but was starting to look at the submission process for Glimmer Train, etc. Thanks!
Anonymous says
Cussler made a career out of using the prologue, with his classic setup:
Prologue
1593, The Caspian Sea
…
…
…
Chapter 1
Present Day
Several adventure/thriller/action authors have successfully copies this formula.
Yat-Yee says
I was just mulling over the prologue in The Cabinet of Wonders, whose review I just posted today. I didn’t like it initially and didn’t know the reason for it being there until the end, when I understood the reason for its existence. I still wonder, though, if the problem could have been solved a different way.
The prologue in Edgar Sawtelle seems to weird and disconnected, but I liked it, maybe because it creates that question in my mind the entire time I am reading, about the relevance of a Korean potion, to the story. Plus it’s moody and dark and sinister.
Robert A Meacham says
I look at a prologue as a narrator before the movie begins, or a voice before the curtain rises. I wrot one for ” News At Ten” but is was less than a page long, maybe then it was not even necessary.
I can take or leave them.
E. J. Tonks says
As far as I’m concerned, the writer could have twelve prologues and a fold-out addendum before chapter one and I’ll devour them all without complaint if the writing is good and the story is substantive!
Anonymous says
Lee Ann said…
A good prologue sets the tone for the book: mood, character, mystery, etc. Think of a good prologue as the equivalent of the introductory music for a musical.
I so agree. Very nicely put.
Roland, Nathan,
Can you please tell me what the difference is between a forward and a prologue?
Thanks.
CNU says
Yeah… prologues… I ‘always’ read those… Unless you’re doing some sort of ‘field work’ or something that REALLY needs framing, I wouldn’t even bother.
-C
Christine H says
As a reader, I uses to skip the prologue or introduction to a book (if there was one) and just start reading Ch 1, then go back when I realized there might be something I needed to know that I missed. Now, I read them first to save myself the trouble.
Nathan Bransford says
anon-
Forewords tend to be either expository information in nonfiction or written by someone else to otherwise introduce a book. (think, a currently famous author writing a foreword on the importance of another author).
Prologues are preludes to a novel.
CindaChima says
I used to have a prologue problem, but I’m in a program and making progress.
My first three novels all had prologues. They arose out of a desire to provide information about past events in scene, instead of as a flashback (horrors) or narrative or some other lame way.
My next three novels have had no prologues. Apparently I got it out of my system.
Anonymous says
Okay, I confess, I have a section at the beginning of my novel.I like it. So far others like it -with one cautionary comment about info dump.
(And, we’ll see how it fares if it ever gets to the agent or editor stage.)
But it reminds me more of movies that introduce you to some important event first before begining the current story
or those TV shows where they start out by saying:
“Previously, on ER, Heroes, whatever…” and then go into some pertinent details that help you catch up on important past points. Sometimes it is a 30 second drop – sometimes it’s a ten minute drop, but I really like it.
Then, I’m INTO the story line with the right information and hooked at the same time.
It works well with acted stories anyway.
Hell, even Shakespeare seemed to like to rant a bit here and there before letting the action begin.
Neil says
In the hands of a great writer a prologue is a potent tool to pull a reader effortlessly into a book. As I reader I honestly do not give a shit if a book has a prologue or not; if it’s good enough I won’t notice it’s a prologue. It’ll just be the gripping beginning of a story I can’t wait to devour. On another note, are we saying epilogues are like ending a book twice, then? Because a great epilogue sometimes throws another light on the ending and enhances that ending in unexpected and inventive ways. I say: prologues and epilogues are part of your arsenal as a writer. Like all weapons, they should only be used if absolutely necessary, and you’d be wise to consider their consequences before you brandish them. But if you have the skills and the combat is unavoidable, it’s time to fight.
Christine H says
According to Ask.com, a prologue is the start of the action in a novel, is often a pivotal moment, and requires an epilogue. An introduction is “a framework for what’s to follow – the hooks on which to hang the story details.”
Word verification: penom -Pen name.
SPITsisters says
“You’re asking more of a reader, so they’ll want to make sure it’s worth it.”
I’m not really fond of prologues, but I never thought about the fact that prologues DO ask more of a reader and, perhaps, are a bit of a cop out. Interesting!
Stephanie Faris says
I’ve been paranoid about prologues since first reading your statement against them a few months ago. I had started banning them from my books but then I submitted a romance novel to a publishing house where every book I read from that publishing house had a prologue. I put one in and now I realize I’ve forgotten my original paranoia about them! I promise the next book I write will NOT have a prologue.
Audrianna says
I personally can never write a prologue the way I like. Mostly because when I go back and look at it, it makes no sense whatsoever! So, I just play it by ear. If it needs a prologue, I’ll add one. But if not, I’ll just stick with writing the story.
I do have to admit, though, that I love reading prologues. It gives me a sneak peak into the past or future of the characters – and since once I start reading a book, it’s very nearly physically impossible for me to stop – I get to get a little taste of what’s to come.
wonderer says
As others have commented, I think prologues can be necessary but often aren’t. World-building information in science fiction or fantasy – as a reader I don’t need to know it up front, I’ll find out as the story goes on. Character backstory – often ditto. An exception is when an event in another time period or with other characters is what launches the main story. Even that I find much overused.
Scott says
Personally, I don’t use ‘prologues’ in my writing.
Tigana by Guy Gavriel Kay had a prologue that set the entire tone for the absolutely brilliant (IMHO) book. Without the prologue (which took place years before Chapter One, the ‘loss’ that is the driving force for the main characters would not have made sense. So, in the right context, I think a prologue makes sense. In the case of Tigana, the sense is implicit.
Sam Hranac says
I’ve never been tempted to include one, but there are times when I have enjoyed them. Some novels are a grand meal that deserves an aperitif. If it doesn’t serve this purpose then, to me, it is wasted.
Chad Goller-Sojourner says
I usually view them as I do movie trailers, I’m either hooked or not. The problem arises when I am hooked and later find out that they like many movie trailers promise much more than they deliver or contained all the good parts. As a memoirist I understand the importance of the back story as it relates to the central event. While my title: Sitting in Circles with Rich White Girls: Memoirs of a Bulimic Black Boy speaks to the central event it doesn’t speak to how in 1981 a black boy becomes bulimic. From a craft standpoint I opted to begin chapter one with the central event and then begin chapter two with how growing up fat, black, gay and adopted by white folks got me a seat in Bulimia Camp. Of course I’m also intrigued with how Henry Louis Gates (Colored People) and Judith Moore (Fat Girl) brilliantly mask their preface/prologue as letters, so this may all change. Thanks for this delightful, well written and informative blog; I can hardly imagine the time and effort it takes.
Kristin Laughtin says
I can take or leave prologues. Like everything else, they have to be written well to be effective. I prefer them when they introduce something essential to the narrative that we might not see otherwise, depending on the POV. The interludes (sort of a prologue to each separate “book”) in Robert Charles Wilson’s DARWINIA serve this purpose. And sometimes I appreciate them better in retrospect. For example, in George R.R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire” series, I initially thought the prologues were interesting but otherwise unnecessary additions–until I got far enough into the book to understand their importance, and realize that this is what I was waiting for. If the prologue is just there to set up a feeling of suspense–i.e. showing a scene of intense emotion/angst/danger from later in the novel–I’m not totally against it, but I sometimes wonder if there’s a better way.
I cut the prologue from my last MS after realizing it was just an excuse to use pretty language but didn’t really add anything to the plot, and the opening of my first chapter was stronger. (I kept the epilogue, though, because I felt it hinted at a few of the “what’s next?” questions while still allowing for a complete ending.) My current WIP’s opening is somewhat between the length of a prologue and a chapter. I currently have it numbered as Chapter 1 but am constantly considering whether I should relabel it. However, I kept it because it sets up backstory with several of the major characters and hints at the motivation for their action throughout the book, and is something we wouldn’t get from the main character’s POV.
Also, I think when people are confused about sending prologues to an agent, it’s because many ask for the first three chapters instead of X pages. They wonder whether the prologue counts as a chapter, or if it’s acceptable to send the prologue + 3 “real” chapters. (Give us something to worry about, and we will, you know.)
Nikki Hootman says
Worst prologue I ever read: 15 super, seriously gripping pages with a really riveting main character. Followed by a novel about someone else entirely, doing something completely different. I got ten pages into the novel itself and quit because it was so disappointing after that super prologue.
Prologues are dangerous. Use with caution!
Anonymous says
Word verification: amesper. It means I am a psychic who can see where the whole story is headed just from reading the prologue.
Chapter 1
It certainly seems some genres use them more often and better than others. SF&F need prologues to establish the world you've just walked into; they establish what is normal for this world so you understand the MC's life changing experience as abnormal.
Other genres use the prologue to show a life changing event for someone other than the MC, such as the antagonist or even the world at large. A poor use of prologue is adventure stories that use them to establish the macguffin.
-Jon
rms says
For me, it depends on the prologue. One of my favorites is Stephen King in ‘Salem’s Lot. The prologue is a glimpse to the end of the story, what happens after, and creates a wonderful need to know how the characters get there. I especially love the brief sentence about the boy going to the priest for confession and confessing everything. As a reader, I wanted to know what had happened to cause such a dramatic event and that drove me into the story.
Just_Me says
I can’t think of a good prologue off hand. I’m sure they exist, I just don’t remember them. What I do remember is the bad ones.
When the prologue sums up the entire book between Chapter One and Chapter Last so that you can skip from prologue to the end without needing the rest of the book, that’s bad. I want a prologue that sets the stage, not that sums up the entire book.
Christine H says
I heard one author talk about the prologue of his thriller. Originally, it was Chapter One and contained a pivotal moment in which a building was bombed, but the characters in that scene got blown up and (obviously) the protagonist wasn’t one of them. So the editor made him turn it into a prologue.
My current Chapter One was originally a prologue because it contains a pivotal moment for the character, but is separated by the rest of the action in the book by about four months. Now I’m thinking maybe it should go back to being a prologue. Help! My head is spinning.
Heidi C. Vlach says
I associate prologues with bad writing advice, because I was once advised to add an info-dumping prologue to my work. Apparently it’s just what fantasy novels are supposed to do!
But seriously, I think the only time a prologue is necessary is if the story simply doesn’t begin with the protagonist. If it’s more efficient to set the plot in motion from someone else’s point of view, sure, do that before we meet the hero it’s going to affect.
Scott says
As of a year ago I was never going to be an author, let alone get an agent, or try to get a publishing deal. All that changed last March and I had to learn not only how to write a novel (I’ve now written 6), but how to get an agent (got one in August), and how to promote myself and basically everything else that involves living behind the scenes in the author world.
Did everyone miss this? I found every word absolutely astounding. Six books and an agent in one year, and you never even wanted to be an author?
*tosses pen into the air*
😉
I also wanted to touch on those comments concerning not fully understanding something you’ve read in a novel until the end. I presume we’re not talking about mysteries, as well. I’ve done this throughout my novella; we never really know what is going on or who our characters really are until the last chapters. There are clues, but some of them try and trick the reader, even though they withstand scrutiny in the final analysis. It was reviewed very favorably on a book review website, although the reviewer first found the style “annoying”. But the payoff, well, paid off, and my book got highly recommended.
My question is, are we just too impatient these days to allow books to toy with us a bit? Does everything have to be so straightforward and simplified? I also see a lot of “just tell the story” in writing hints. Jebus, did anyone ask Picasso to just “paint the thing”?
It’s becoming a little distressing.
Anonymous says
Thanks for clarifications.
Ink says
Scott,
I thought that earlier post was a mirage. You know, like when you’re in the desert and you see a beautiful oasis with a pool of glimmering blue water and you rush up and dive in only to drink a mouthful of sand? I thought it was like that. Hey, look, this is how Publishing works! I don’t trust mirages.
So I’m refusing to admit it’s there, and I’m gonna just keep plodding on through the desert. Damn heat.
My best,
Bryan
~Sia McKye~ says
Pretty much the consensus is, sometimes yes, sometimes no. Personally, I don’t have a problem with them when I’m reading a book and most I’ve read add something to the plot or the tone, or has a neccessary part if the backstory.
As a writer, I’ve not used them often. I have one story I did. heard sll the hoopla about bad bad writers to use a prologue. So I tried rearranging it into the story itself. Didn’t work. It was neccesary where it was. So that’s where it stayed.
Karen says
A well-written prologue can really enhance the story.
The problem is that I have seen too many authors write a prologue that is essentially some portion of an intense scene later in the book that is supposed to make you want to hurry up and get there and find out what is going to happen.
This is beyond frustrating.
In fact, off the top of my head, I cannot think of an actually good and useful prologue. And I read a lot of books.
The debate some of my friends have is whether you can have an epilogue without a prologue.
Bane of Anubis says
What’s that phrase — “it ain’t bragging if you’ve done it,” but damn, that mirage made me feel about the size of a thimble (holes included).
MelissaPEA says
My critique group had a hard time believing that my MC would do certain things in my novel. I went back and added a prologue that got us into her head based on a childhood incident. Now they believe she would do all those things. If I shove the incident as backstory into another chapter somewhere, it will slow down the action of those chapters. So this feels like a situation where the prologue is necessary.
Christine H says
I missed that mirage, but now that you’ve mentioned it, I do see it up there towards the top.
Time for a very large drink of something very strong. And, of course, there’s nothing like composing an algebra test and grading 80 statistics assignments to make you forget you ever had a creative life. So, bring on the numbers!
Word verification: Caticom – the hidden device inside cat’s brains that lets them communicate telepathically.
Mira says
Scott, Ink, Bane,
She’s doing adaptions. It’s a very clever idea, but alittle different than doing 6 brand new books in a year. Lol. Check her website.
Good luck to you, giddymomofsix.
Nathan, what you said about the writer starting over with a prologue – that hit it on the head. That’s why I sigh when I see a prologue.
I think your point that if it’s not essential, don’t include it, is one I agree with.
Sometimes it is essential, and then I think it needs to be extremely well done. There have been some prologues that knocked me off my feet.
Julia from Atlanta says
MelissaPEA,
your thing sounds like the same type of thing done in Chapter 1 – not a prologue – of The Kite Runner. Not that I am saying it’s truly parallel to what yours is. It’s just that, I think that works because it IS in Chapter 1, not a Prologue.
I don’t mind Prologues, but I write YA, and I don’t write them.
Sandra G. says
What Elizabeth Wrigley-Field said…bingo.
I too read WATER FOR ELEPHANTS and I agree that the prologue in this novel was excellent, likely because how it tied into the rest of the story. It all came back to what Wrigley-Field commented on – it didn’t feel like a cheap trick.
Mind you, I’ve read other prologues and have seen when they do not work for the story at all.
Ink says
Mira,
See whose website? All I see is desert.
🙂
My best,
Bryan
Chris Bates says
Personally I think they are a cheat when used in my own writing. I get lazy. If I’m gunning to include a prologue it usually means I’m looking to sucker punch the reader because I have a sneaking suspicion that I could lose them in my first chapter because it is overwritten and full of literary ambition!
Solution: rewrite.
However, in other people’s writing I tend to roll with it. In fact I expect it in certain genres – mystery/thriller. Maybe the Dan Brown story formula wouldn’t have a prayer without a prologue. Perhaps Cussler’s scene flow would drown without the historical prelude.
That’s their schtick … so I go for the ride.
Litgirl01 says
I have never really thought about it. If the author includes one, I just read it. No questions asked.
🙂
Jen C says
I’ve always disliked prologues. I agree that they feel like a hurdle and I tend to skim them if they’re any longer than a page. I never thought I would write a prologue, ever.
Especially in fantasy novels, I knew that 99% of the time it was historical, and the prologue character wouldn’t even make an appearance in the main work. Yes, I hated prologues!
Then, I started my current project, and I added one. In the context of the book it feels necessary. I tried taking it out to see what would happen, and it just doesn’t work. My book is historical, and I’m using the prologue to help frame the timeline.
However, it is in the voice of the main character, not an anonymous secondary character, and it’s only half a page long. So I hope you will all forgive me!