Archer

I have been advised not to include a prologue in my novel because people skip them anyway.

Is this true in all cases, or is it genre specific?

It seems to me that the prologue is a strong tradition in fantasy, and anybody who chooses to read this genre will not skip the prologue.

Thoughts? Facts? Non-sequiturs?
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Stalker

Personally, I rather like prologues; especially in fantasy. They provide a sort of...instant interest catcher, with a sprinkling of mystery and lore. Depending on the kind of prologue you use, they can also help a reader decide whether or not they wish to read the story.

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CroZ

Make it chapter one instead. I think with prologues people assume there isn't anything important they won't find out later. I've found in Tolkien rip fantasy they tend to depict some vague incantation which we'll later find out summoned the dark something or other.

dwellerofthedeep

This is exactly what I wanted to say when I posted on this thread. Especially leave out prologue style stuff if it spoils any possible mysteries in the book. Mysteries keep people reading with simple suspense.

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Archer

I am continuously amazed by this topic.

Why would an author put spoilers in the prologue? The prologue is to give some important background and pique the reader's interest.

Please look at this and tell me if this works as Chapter One.

http://www.writingforums.com/writer-...100-words.html

It just doesn't feel like a Chapter One to me. Especially since the real story begins 7 years later.
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Stalker

Strikes me as a certifiable "Chapter One", though I suppose it depends when exactly you advance to the "real story", seven years later. If that switch is in the next chapter, then yes, this would be more of a prologue. If not, I'd be inclined to call this a "Chapter One".

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Archer

Yes the next chapter is 7 years later. It is posted also, for those interested.

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Non Serviam

What do you think the epilogue is for, Archer?

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Mike C

Prologues are lazy and sloppy and always get skipped, at least by me. If you can't find a better way of working the inevitable infodump that prologues tend to be into the body of the story, write something else.

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Archer

As far as I can tell it's to say "And they lived happily every after" or some variation.

I feel like you're trying to make a point here, but I don't get it.
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Non Serviam

That's my fault, I come to my point from a funny angle sometimes. Sorry.

Would you say an epilogue is part of the story?

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Suzip

I always read the prologue, but whether they are successful or not is another matter. That really depends on the writer.

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Archer

This displays an amazing combination of arrogance and ignorance.

And it only confirms what I said in the other thread. The prologue stays in. I will not write down to those who feel they are too good to read a prologue.

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Archer

Not usually. But I do read them (in the rare instance where it is used).

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Non Serviam

Sure--that's understood.

I think I said before that the majority of writers read prologues (and epilogues). The kind of person who wants to be a writer tends to be very literate, a very fluent reader, who finds reading effortless and pleasurable and enjoys it.

Your audience, though, includes a lot of people, most of whom are less literate and less fluent at reading. They don't enjoy the act of reading in itself. What they're usually after is story.

There's a perception that prologues and epilogues don't contain story, hence for some, they're too much effort to read. Can you see why that is?

But there is no rule anywhere that says you can't have a prologue. If you really feel strongly, deep down inside, that a prologue is what your piece should be, then go for it. All I'm offering is my opinion, which is worth what you paid for it.

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