Week 42: Prologue or No Prologue?
If last week’s topic was about Epilogues then this week must be prologues. Indeed, it is, and here we go again. It’s Friday. T.G.I.F. Friday equals Marketing for Romance writers 52-Week Blog Challenge.
This should be simple to write. I’ve only written two books with a prologue. After revising one of them some years later, I removed the prologue and revised Chapter One to update the beginning to fit what was happening right now. That book is Howdy, Ma’am so anyone with an original copy has the prologue.
In that book, the prologue was a recommendation from my editor. I agreed. It fit the criteria for using a Prologue. What had happened, had taken place earlier than where Chapter One originally had started.
I’m including links for different sites I’m familiar with to explain the criteria for a prologue:
- When to Use a Prologue Writer’s Digest.
- Pros and Cons of Prologues from The Editor’s Blog.
My time-travel was my first book with a prologue. It makes sense after all since Chapter One started in the present time. The prologue took place in 1882.
When I was young, I didn’t read the prologue in books because I didn’t understand why they were there. All I wanted to do was get into the story. Once I understood them, I haven’t skipped one since.
Have you ever skipped reading a prologue?
It’s weird this topic comes up now because I had an “episodic hero intrusion” the other night who thinks my current WIP should open with a prologue in his POV. Unfortunately, I don’t want to write this book with a prologue. Soooo…
I’m the boss here. If I have to tie him to his ranch signpost to make him sweat a little, I damn well will. However, it won’t be easy at four in the morning when he comes out to play in my head. I like to write hero focused romance, which means I can agree about beginning in his POV, but it will be in chapter one, not a prologue. Nope, not for this upcoming book.
To wrap it up: I don’t use prologues now and don’t know if I ever will again. I do read prologues and don’t mind when they begin stories.
What’s your take on Prologues?
To me, it’s not the same answer as the epilogue post. It seems like a prologue doesn’t have the option if the story calls for one unless you want to do a lot of rewriting or write it into your Chapter One. IMO. 🙂
Thanks for reading. You know what’s next…
Visit my fellow author participants for Week 42 and Marketing for Romance Writers 52-Week Blog Challenge. If interested in my take on “Epilogues,” click HERE.
I appreciate you stopping by.
Mary J. McCoy-Dressel 
8 thoughts on “#AmWriting Week 42: Prologue or Not? #MFRWauthor”
Teagan R. Geneviene
Hi Mary. I see that I’m late for this one too… (eye roll). I agree with Diana that it depends on the book. The genre seems to have something to do with it, although I’m not sure why — What I mean is that to me, both prologues and epilogues seem more suited to fantasy stories.
It also becomes a matter of style. The first time I read a book that began with a prologue in the POV of the villain — and then the rest of the book in the POV of the heroes, I was infatuated. I would not have wanted to read the entire book in that dark tone, but it added to the story in a huge way, and to the author’s distinctive style.
Groan… lunch time over. Back to work.
Great big hug.
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
I think so too, Teagan. I used to see Prologues when I read historical fiction/ romance. Maybe they used them more often in the past. I needed it in my time-travel. It fit for the original Howdy, Ma’am, too, which is contemporary. It depends on the story. There is no “to late” to read a blog post, and if there is, I say better late than not at all. 😁
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D. Wallace Peach
I love this debate, Mary, because I don’t think there really is anything to debate. If a book needs a prolog it should get one. If it doesn’t, it shouldn’t. I use them on some books and don’t on others. It depends, as you suggest, specifically on the story. I always read prologs because they provide (should provide) key information and clues that won’t be found elsewhere in the book. Happy Writing!
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
I know what you mean about all the key information in a prologue, Diana. I think back to my young years when I must’ve missed so much. On the other hand, I’m happy I was able to read books that had prologues because that meant I read novels. LOL. You’re right. There is no debate. It either is or isn’t. Thanks for visiting. Happy Writing to you too. My time this week has been studying how to succeed at AMS ads–a full-time job in itself.
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D. Wallace Peach
I started AMS sponsored ads in July, Mary. At this point, I’m spending more than I’m making, but my books are priced low so I didn’t expect to turn much of a profit. I’m hoping that readers who buy a book will keep going with the series and make it worthwhile. And I’m also hoping that if they see my name enough, they may try one. 🙂 Good luck with it!
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
According to my AMS dash, I’m selling barely anything, but sales have gone up way past what they show on their dashboard, plus at other retailers. I am showing my new release and also my first in the DD Ranch series. I keep playing with clicks and keywords, customized text, and daily totals. I won’t say it’s great and not what it was last year at this time, but better than the past six months. I’m searching almost everyday for new keywords and authors to add. The ads are almost a full-time job in itself. Good luck to you too. 🙂
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D. Wallace Peach
You’re doing great. I visit about once every two weeks and play around. I’m such a lazy retailer! Lol
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
Well, it’s still new to me. I’m sure I’ll back off after a while. LOL.
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