How long should the prologue of a novel be?

One to five pages

The length of a prologue depends on the nature of the story, but it’s best to keep it trim. One to five pages should suffice. “I don’t mind prologues if they fit the story, and I do like them fairly short,” says agent Andrea Hurst, president of Andrea Hurst & Associates.

Should I have a prologue in my novel?

If you have the information you must convey to the reader that can’t be worked into the main novel, you may need a prologue. If the story doesn’t make sense without the prologue. If you can remove the prologue (or a reader can skip it), and their understanding is not damaged, a prologue is not necessary.

What is the purpose of a prologue in a novel?

The definition of prologue introduce important information—such as background details, or characters—that have some connection to the main story, but whose relevance is not immediately obvious.

How many words long should a prologue be?

Some sites suggest no more than 1,000 words while others say up to 3,000 words is an adequate number. If it helps, my average chapter is about 1.5K words.

What makes a good prologue?

A good prologue should set the scene for the story to come. This may include: Introducing important characters and themes. Setting out backstory required to follow the main narrative.

Why do people skip prologues?

Prologues, with very few exceptions, are a prime example of the writer wanting to hold his reader’s hand. Mr. Writer figures the reader won’t possibly be able to figure out the backstory without a little help, so he spells it out in the greatest possible detail.

Does a prologue count as a chapter?

Prologues come before chapter one and could be expository/introductory prose, a poem, diary letter, news clipping, or anything in between. As a reader, when I start reading a prologue, I’m usually impatient to get to chapter one.

How do you end a prologue?

End With a Cliffhanger



The prologue shouldn’t include any resolution. You don’t want to solve any conflicts in this part of the book, but instead lure readers into needing to find the answer and therefore reading on. Any cliffhangers left in the prologue should be resolved somewhere in the book.

What is usually in a prologue?

The Content of the Prologue



give background information about the story’s world, its characters, and the events occurring in the book; introduce the framework for the main story; entice the reader to keep on reading by describing a dramatic opening scene.

Can a prologue have multiple chapters?

Lots of successful writers will tell you that some or all of the back story they write for their characters and for their world doesn’t go in the book. You can have multiple prologues, but that’s only because as a writer you get to do whatever the heck you want.

Can a prologue be one sentence?

Epilogue: Short bits on some of the main friends/family who had helped Bob in his quest to die happy. So in the above example, I can literally do a 1-sentence prologue.

How many chapters should a book have?

Most nonfiction books have between 5 and 20 chapters. Any less than 5 and your chapters may be running long or may contain too many ideas. That said, there are plenty of books with 30 or 40 chapters. And some books, usually with very short chapters, can have 50+.

Are prologues important?

Prologues have an important role in a novel or movie. They provide the readers and viewers with an introduction into the story that will unfold. It could foreshadow the conflict or might even provide a little back story.

Do you need a prologue and epilogue?

You don’t always need both a prologue and an epilogue.



Many writers think that if their book has a prologue, it must be balanced with an epilogue, or vice versa. But that isn’t the case at all! You can have only a prologue or only an epilogue.

Does Harry Potter have a prologue?

For example, in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone the first chapter is much like a prologue in that it shows events that occur when Harry is a baby — before the reader begins to see the story through Harry’s eyes. The novel begins in Vernon Dursley’s point-of-view, and later switches to Dumbledore’s.

What is the last word in Harry Potter?

Rowling acknowledged that the word “scar” had “for ages” been the last word in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.” Harry Potter has a lightning-bolt scar on his forehead as a result of a failed curse by his nemesis, Lord Voldemort. Ms. Rowling would not say what she changed it to.

What is Harry Potter famous for saying?

Best Harry Potter quotes to live life by



‘” “Time will not slow down when something unpleasant lies ahead.” “If you want to know what a man’s like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals.” “It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live.”