prologues
Prologues are the appetizer to your novel’s main course. Done poorly, they risk feeling like irrelevant info-dumps, but done well, they hook readers and leave them hungry for more.
why they work
Prologues are divisive. Critics argue they often overexplain or delay the “real” story, but a great prologue earns its place by:
- Showing your story’s world
- Establishing atmosphere and tone.
- Foreshadowing core conflicts.
- Introducing high-stakes questions.
If your story needs context that doesn’t fit in Chapter 1 (e.g., a pivotal event years earlier, a cryptic prophecy, or a villain’s origin), a prologue might be the answer.
A well-crafted prologue can instantly immerse readers in your story’s world and genre. Whether it’s a glimpse of your magic system in action, a spaceship crashing on a mysterious planet, or the discovery of an ancient artifact, these opening moments help establish the rules and atmosphere of your story’s world.
- Example: A paranormal romance prologue shows a witches’ coven meeting under a blood-red moon.
- Avoid: Info-dumping with lots of details that can bore readers and turn them off the rest of the story.
Set the tone
Let your prologue establish the overall tone of your narrative by giving readers a sense of foreboding or showing them a world filled with magic, humor, or romance. Your prologue is a way to let readers know the kind of story that lies ahead.
- Example: A horror prologue might open with a storm-lashed castle and a character’s mounting dread.
- Avoid: Inconsistency. If you’re writing a romantic comedy, keep the same light tone throughout.
Foreshadow
Drop subtle hints or foreshadow key elements without giving away too much, fostering anticipation. Set the stage with a scene that intrigues your readers, making them wonder about the characters, events, or the world you’ve crafted.
- Example: A fantasy prologue could show a shattered relic, hinting at a coming war.
- Avoid: Being too obvious. Drop hints about future events so readers’ spidey senses start tingling.
Key Character
Select a character central to your story and depict them in a situation causing them difficulties. By writing the scene from this character’s point of view, you’ll allow readers to form connections early on and invest emotionally in the unfolding drama.
- Example: A thriller might open with a detective’s final case before retirement, humanizing them before their later role.
- Avoid: Redundant characters that have no bearing on the plot.
Conflict
Use the prologue to foreshadow significant moments in the narrative. Introduce a situation that subtly hints at upcoming conflict without revealing all the details. The tension woven into the opening will keep readers intrigued and invested in the unfolding narrative.
- Example: A romance prologue could show a breakup that emotionally damages the protagonist
- Avoid: Resolving the conflict. Let it linger as a shadow over the main story.
Loose Ends
Resist the urge to tie up all loose ends in the prologue. Leave certain elements unresolved, prompting readers to seek answers in the rest of the narrative. End the prologue with something compelling: a thought-provoking question, a mysterious happening, or a subtle revelation.
- Example: A thriller might end with the victim coming face to face with an unknown assailant.
- Avoid: Giving all the answers. Keep readers guessing about the story to come.
Pitfalls
- Length: Keep it under 1,500 words—brevity is key.
- Tone Shifts: Ensure the prologue’s mood aligns with the rest of the book.
- Info-Dumps: Replace exposition with action or emotion.
- Irrelevant Characters: Every name matters. Cut filler.
Final thoughts
A prologue should feel essential, not just there to info-dump or fill in space. It’s a promise to your readers: This story is worth your time. By blending atmosphere, foreshadowing, and unresolved tension, you’ll craft an opening that lingers in their minds long after they turn the page.
