In writing my first novel, I am struggling with the prologue, so thought many others would find this information useful as well.
What is a prologue?
From Robert McKee, author of ‘Story’ : A prologue is a single event or sequence of events that has no direct cause or connection with the story. It could basically be cut out and the novel would not suffer. It is a closed section and stands alone. It can be set up or sub plot and can add to the quality of the story.
How do you use a prologue?
- To set a mood or tone for the book, or to hook interest. This is used by many thriller writers, like James Rollins in order to pull you into the novel.
- To establish a unique setting or to dramatise exposition before the story really gets going
- To introduce an element that you wrap up in the epilogue, in order to bracket the main body of the text
- To recap events if the book is a series and the reader needs a reminder of events prior
Why am I considering a prologue?
James Rollins is one of my favourite thriller writers and he often uses a prologue to introduce the horrible evil/event that will be central to the novel. It might be set centuries ago, or only a few years but it always draws me into the story and makes me keen to find out how it relates to the present day where the action is set.
My novel is a religious thriller set in the present day, but the artefacts at the centre of the book come from Pentecost, when the 12 apostles of Jesus were given the gifts of speaking in different languages, healing and powerful communication. The book is not a Christian book per se but uses the story from Acts 2:1-12 as a basis. I am thinking of using the Pentecost event as my prologue, rewritten in a way that emphasises what I will use in the main body of the story.
My concerns are that this will brand the book as only for a Christian audience (which it is not), or that people will be offended because I am rewriting the Pentecost story. It is just a prologue, aimed at dramatising exposition that I would have to explain in the main body of the text otherwise.
What do you think? To prologue or not to prologue?
Image: Flickr CC Markus Rodder
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{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
One could argue to go ahead and and present the Pentecost event as you wish. If people brand your book as Christian or see it as rewriting the event, so be it. In short, be true to yourself. What would I do?
As the prologue is very much an appetizer before the main course and, after the book cover and the book cover’s brief synopsis, the prologue is a determinant of whether one will purchase it, I can see your dilemma.
Perhaps take the Pentecost event and portray it in a symbolic context. Have it reenacted in a present day context. It is, after all, the message of being able to speak different languages, to heal and to be heard above the fray, that you want to get across. So use an innovative symbolic vehicle to get this message out.
Hope this adds some positive thoughts.
As for prologues, yes, I am for them. They are,as mentioned above appetizers or mood setters for the story to be told. In marketing, they can also be a plus if done effectively.
Thanks Vasilios – I also like prologues, but mainly the ones set in the past that demonstrate the issues the protagonist will have to face.
Personally I am not a big fan of prolouges. They can work, and I am sure you will provide examples of them being used well, but I think that they are often a stumbling block to the text. Many readers will skip a prologue and just start reading anyway.
Hi Gary, I’ve heard that people will skip a prologue too, but many modern novels have prologues that aren’t marked as such directly but still act as one, and it seems effective to me. But then, I guess if it is integral to the story, it’s not a prologue!
Hey Joanna. I woke up this morning, decided I only wanted to read one article off my reader before going to work, and skipped through to your blog. I hardly ever read my feeds out of order, so thought I’d mention that
So I don’t think you need to worry about branding your book just for Christians with a biblical prologue. With the Davinci code/angels and demons, many secular thrillers are biblically based. I think it depends on your style as you write it. If you present it as an interesting story without an overly religious feel, then I think it’ll be okay.
I did an analysis of a really well done prologue once. You might take a look if you’re interested.
Hi Livia,
Thanks so much – I am honoured to be the feed of the day! Thanks for the link to the article. I have found Ken Follett to be a bit too chunky and slow paced for me – perhaps better read on the Kindle though! But you’re right about his prologue – pulling you into the story is the point. Thanks
I vote you follow your gut, especially if you’ve read all the craft books on how to use a prologue effectively.
If you do choose to use a prologue, I would just label it chapter 1 since a lot of agents seem opposed to them (they must see a lot of bad ones). Once you land the agent and/or editor, you can work with them for the final decision.
I don’t think you need to be concerned about branding as a Christian story. I seen lots of interpretations of biblical stories that weren’t Christian at all.
The gut is a little confused at the moment! Thanks for points on the Christian market. I’ll see how the book feels when it is done.
I really like your idea of re-writing the biblical passage and using it as a prologue. One way to avoid the assumtions you mentioned may be to acquire book reviews. I know after looking at the beautiful cover I always flip the book over and read the reviews. If these reviews can (hopefully) clearly spell out what type of your book is and what it isn’t.
Your book sounds like a very enjoyable read.
Thanks Leanne – I will certainly be looking for book reviews once it is done. This networking and blogging certainly helps for doing that.
Great post. I think prologues have gotten a bad rap because of the tendency of people to put in backstory that we could get later in the story as action, or reflection, or flashback (or not at all).
I like a good prologue to set me into the source of the problem and then have the book start with the story action. I think Clive Cussler does this really well. He starts his stories in the past so we know what the main problem Dirk Pitt (I can’t remember his other hero) has to face. Then he drops us into present day when the story starts for his characters.
Thanks
Clive Cussler is awesome and I am very fond of Dirk Pitt (although Matthew MacConahey kind of ruined it!) . His prologues are the ones I also follow, similar to James Rollins. These 2 are my model for the adventure religious thriller. Thanks.
I’m ambivalent on prologues, but for my two cents, I would advise against it in your particular case, because you’re concerned about the initial impression you’re going to give readers. I think you want (and need) your beginning to be stellar, and you want to clue your readers in right away to the sort of story that you are going to tell. If you’re concerned about the Christian elements coming off too strongly, and if they aren’t quite representative of your total story, I would not go there right off the bat. Maybe later in the story, but not as your introduction to the work.
However, if this prologue really does set the tone for what you want to tell, and if you want that tone to come across, Christian-flavor and all, then by all means, it sounds like a fine idea.
Thanks Moses. I have currently ditched the prologue, so your comments fit with my thoughts at the moment!
I think you should write the prologue and then step back and ask yourself if that information is absolutely necessary to the reader BEFORE he/she jumps into the story.
Can you give the information at another juncture, in another way? Does it set the proper tone/give the reader the right feeling as he/she jumps into the story? Does it tell them what the book is about? Does the book that follows live up to the promises of the prologue?
I wouldn’t worry about what other people will think about the Biblical aspect yet. Just write it and see how it works.
Thanks Richelle, I have changed it around now, and left more to the imagination in terms of what was in the original prologue.
IT’s good to debate these things online!
Hi Joanna,
I’m with you. I am always caught up by the prologue. I too am trying to decide if I will use one in my novel. My problem is that the prologue sets up an initial event ten years earlier, and is approx 20 pages. My understanding, from different articles, is that a prologue should be very few pages. ?? Maybe it will just become chapter one.
Thanks Cheryl. Chp 1 is now something like a prologue but it is quite standard in thrillers to set the scene in some way with a hint of what is to come – so I have taken out the original thoughts and added something new.