Comments on: 3 Reasons to Ditch Your Novel’s Prologue http://www.dailywritingtips.com/3-reasons-to-ditch-your-novels-prologue/ Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:29:22 +0000 hourly 1 By: Ed Zaruk http://www.dailywritingtips.com/3-reasons-to-ditch-your-novels-prologue/comment-page-1/#comment-392580 Ed Zaruk Mon, 31 Oct 2011 22:19:31 +0000 http://www.dailywritingtips.com/?p=1750#comment-392580 Clive Cussler, when he actually did the writing himself, was the master of the prologue. I fully agree that there is a place for prologues in some fiction. My pet peeve is that most writers just use it for back story. To me it has to be an event that preferably took place before the time of the story. It is a hinge point, the relevance of which only becomes clear later in the book. By then the entire plot can be perceived to be hinged on this event. If you’re going to write back story about your characters, do not do it in a prologue. Use a flashback in the first chapter Clive Cussler, when he actually did the writing himself, was the master of the prologue. I fully agree that there is a place for prologues in some fiction. My pet peeve is that most writers just use it for back story.
To me it has to be an event that preferably took place before the time of the story. It is a hinge point, the relevance of which only becomes clear later in the book. By then the entire plot can be perceived to be hinged on this event.

If you’re going to write back story about your characters, do not do it in a prologue. Use a flashback in the first chapter

]]> By: Kyla http://www.dailywritingtips.com/3-reasons-to-ditch-your-novels-prologue/comment-page-1/#comment-381709 Kyla Tue, 19 Apr 2011 03:33:48 +0000 http://www.dailywritingtips.com/?p=1750#comment-381709 Ahh! Okay, this is exactly what I needed to hear! I have a prologue in the current novel I'm writing, but it doesn't fall under any of your 3 reasons to drop it. But should I? Hmm, this is something I'll have to decide later on down the road, but it is definitely some food for thought. The whole story is about a war, you see. And the war us started because one character does something very stupid that no one else really witnesses, and he dies in that stupid act. I COULD tell this elsewhere in the story, but then my villain would talk too much. And that is a definite no-no. Decisions, decisions. Oh, well. First, I'll finish the story, and then go back and decide which way works best. That's what the second draft is for, anyway. Great article! Thanks for nourishing my brain. It was getting hungry. Ahh! Okay, this is exactly what I needed to hear! I have a prologue in the current novel I’m writing, but it doesn’t fall under any of your 3 reasons to drop it.

But should I?

Hmm, this is something I’ll have to decide later on down the road, but it is definitely some food for thought. The whole story is about a war, you see. And the war us started because one character does something very stupid that no one else really witnesses, and he dies in that stupid act.

I COULD tell this elsewhere in the story, but then my villain would talk too much. And that is a definite no-no. Decisions, decisions.

Oh, well. First, I’ll finish the story, and then go back and decide which way works best. That’s what the second draft is for, anyway.

Great article! Thanks for nourishing my brain. It was getting hungry.

]]> By: alice http://www.dailywritingtips.com/3-reasons-to-ditch-your-novels-prologue/comment-page-1/#comment-152951 alice Tue, 21 Jul 2009 14:15:35 +0000 http://www.dailywritingtips.com/?p=1750#comment-152951 I've seen prologues that work really well, but most of the books I read, the prologue will be the hook and chapter one is... background info. it's a way to hook the reader when you know your beginning is going to be a little rough - if done incorrectly. don't get me wrong, i've seen prologues that work so well. but there are those few... anywho, this article brings up great points. glad I read it! I’ve seen prologues that work really well, but most of the books I read, the prologue will be the hook and chapter one is… background info.

it’s a way to hook the reader when you know your beginning is going to be a little rough – if done incorrectly.

don’t get me wrong, i’ve seen prologues that work so well. but there are those few…

anywho, this article brings up great points. glad I read it!

]]> By: Sarah http://www.dailywritingtips.com/3-reasons-to-ditch-your-novels-prologue/comment-page-1/#comment-126677 Sarah Thu, 11 Jun 2009 11:43:32 +0000 http://www.dailywritingtips.com/?p=1750#comment-126677 touche. touche.

]]> By: Johnica Davis http://www.dailywritingtips.com/3-reasons-to-ditch-your-novels-prologue/comment-page-1/#comment-115124 Johnica Davis Tue, 28 Apr 2009 17:56:56 +0000 http://www.dailywritingtips.com/?p=1750#comment-115124 yor witing is awsom. yor witing is awsom.

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