Greetings!

Last day we talked about the opening chapter of any book, and how you can make it attention-grabbing/intriguing. Today we are talking about Prologue. Whether you should add it or prefer to skip.

The last update was specifically for the first chapter of your story, no matter you add a prologue or not.

Prologue comes from the Greek prologos, meaning, “before word.” // A prologue comes before the first chapter of a novel. It is part of the narrative and serves to set up the main story, provides some vital information, and prepares the reader for what is to come.

Prologues are used in works of fiction for a variety of reasons. They allow the writer to give the reader some vital information regarding the conflict of the story, the main character or characters, or the overall tone and meaning of the story. A prologue can also provide background detail and important (but limited) exposition. The prologue is separate from the bulk of the story but still important. If the reader skips the prologue, they will be missing some key piece of information that will come into play later in the book. Since the prologue is separate, it allows the author a bit more freedom to get creative. For example, it’s common for a prologue to be written from the point of view of a minor or secondary character. This different perspective may never be used again in the book, but the events of the prologue will most certainly be referenced at some point.

Example of prologue from classic, Romeo & Juliet:

“Two households, both alike in dignity,
In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,
From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,
Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean. . .”

The sonnet goes on for several more lines, but even those first four lines give the audience vital information about the Capulets and the Montagues without mentioning the two houses by name. It also does some foreshadowing, preparing the audience for the tragedy to come.

{Section taken from kindlepreneur}

Determining whether to write a prologue is probably the hardest part. To determine if you need to write a prologue, ask yourself these questions before sitting down to your favorite writing software:

1. Is there information the reader must have before the actual story begins?

2. Can you present that information in a compelling and brief manner?

3. Is it information that you can’t provide the audience in the opening chapter?

If you answered yes to all of those questions, you probably need a prologue. But if you answered no to any one of them, you may want to re-think the use of this literary device.

Comment and tell us if you are writing a prologue or not.

Daily activity:

Continue working on the first chapter of your book. Keep the daily writing streak going on. You don't have to wear yourself out, or be buried under pressure, simply create a schedule and keep updating your story little by little every day.

After writing first chapter, create short summaries (really short and to-the-point) for first ten chapters. Bullet points only, so you know where to take the story further on.