The novel I am trying to get published has a short prologue. I have heard various opinions as to the benefits/necessity for a prologue and would value your opinions!

I really like the idea (you can see mine at

http://tollesburytimeforever.blogspot.co

I am in two minds as to whether to retain it and am willing to be swayed by reasoned argument!!

Cheers!

Stu

Hi there, you could post the section in one of the critique groups if you want feedback. It's more likely to get comments there.

Hi. I see what you mean, but the thread was more about the use of prologues in general - if people think they are a useful tool or maybe a little outdated?

Stu
http://tollesburytimeforever.blogspot.com/

I think what Flora was suggesting is that joining one of the relevant critique groups and posting your prologue there would be more likely to get comments, as part of the usual group process, than a separate operation of asking people to click through to your site.

You may have come across this already, or it may not be the kind of discussion you're looking for, but this is my take on the general question of prologues:

http://emmadarwin.typepad.com/thisitchofwriting/2011/07/prologues.html

Emma

Thanks Emma - you have explained better than I did!

Stu, I assumed the reason you linked to your blog was because you wanted people to comment specifically in relation to your prologue - otherwise I thought you would have just said "what do you think of prologues?" but apologies if I misunderstood.

I generally find myself skipping prologues but there again there are superb examples, so I think it's impossible to generalise.

Thank you Emma and thank you Flora! I will check out the link Emma as I really value your opinions/advice. Learning about something you love doing is great isn't it? Taking writing seriously at last has given me an enthusiasm I thought I had lost long ago!!!

Stu
http://tollesburytimeforever.blogspot.com/

I can't remember ever coming across a prologue where I felt that the story would have been better off without it. I think they have their place, especially as a scene-setter which isn't part of the main story, or for something which is part of the main story but doesn't fit comfortably with its timeframe or the general narrative flow. On the other hand, a prologue shouldn't be there for the sake of it. It needs to add something.

I agree Alex - although I can't recall reading too many prologues. I put mine in then out then in again so many times and just feel it sets up the story in a way that would have been very difficult otherwise. Someone once said that the prologue is the colour of the walls upon which the painting hangs - I always liked that!

Stu

http://tollesburytimeforever.blogspot.com/

I put mine in then out then in again so many times

Are you perhaps writing the Hokey Cokey?

I think that if you can point to a specific thing that the prologue is doing, and be certain that you couldn't achieve the same thing in any other way, then that probably justifies using one. But if what it does is something that isn't really necessary at all, then it's probably best not to have it in.

That does make sense - and yes, in the prologue for Tollesbury Time Forever I am doing something very specific that is crucial for setting up the story. Thanks so much for simplifying it for me! And yes indeed, I am doing the hokey cokey (and spilling my wine!)

Stu

My gut would be to loose the prologue you have, as far as I can tell it only gives us one criticial piece of information - man out of time - which I guess given the title is the whole point of the book. It's hard to say without seeing chapter 1, but they say "if in doubt, leave it out."

<Added>

Sorry - that was a bit of chapter 1 I read - so forget the above, as I havne't read the prologue. But my "in doubt" stands!

No need to apologise my friend!! Thank you so much for checking out the blog!

To access the Prologue on the Blog, just click on September (3) under where it says Blog Archive on the right hand side. I would be really interested to know what you think!

Cheers!

Stu
http://tollesburytimeforever.blogspot.com/

Hi Stu - I read your prologue and I definitely think it has a place. It's intriguing and sets the scene for what is to follow nicely. I'm not anti-Prologues in any case though. Obviously, you don't have to label it as such, which is possible a little old-fashioned. Yours is short so could just stand along in the centre of your first page...

<Added>

Stand alone, I meant!...

Hi Backy!

Thank you so much for taking the time to read it.

You make a really good point about not labelling it as a prologue - suddenly makes so much more sense!

Having it in the centre of the page may be a little like the writing on the walls!

Thank you so much!!!

Stu

Obviously meant 'Becky' !!

Sorry!

Stu