Asked by: David Meckler

Is it okay for prologue to be long?

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.

Should my novel have a prologue?

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.

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.

Can a prologue be about the main character?

For example, the prologue may be about the main character who is in her eighties and who is remembering her childhood, which is when the story takes place (and which begins in Chapter 1).

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.

Can a prologue be more than one chapter?

You can have multiple prologues, but that’s only because as a writer you get to do whatever the heck you want.

Does a prologue ruin the story?

Prologues can serve a purpose, but they can also detract from a story, especially from the impact of the story’s opening pages. If you need or insist upon a prologue, make it a great one. Make it accomplish your purpose without interfering with the flow and impact of the full story.

Do publishers like prologues?

As many of you know, book publishing industry professionals and readers alike have openly expressed their dislike of prologues. Let’s lay a quick foundation: Prologues aren’t inherently evil or indicative of poor writing. Prologues can—and have been—executed with skill.

Do agents hate prologues?

“Most agents hate prologues. Just make the first chapter relevant and well written.” “Prologues are usually a lazy way to give back-story chunks to the reader and can be handled with more finesse throughout the story.

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.

Do literary agents care about age?

Your age will not be a problem in looking for an agent or a publisher. Here’s why: Querying agents and publishers involves submitting query letters and manuscripts through the mail. There is absolutely no way they are going to know how old you are unless you tell them.

Can a book have an epilogue without a prologue?

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.

What is the difference between a prelude and a prologue?

As nouns the difference between prelude and prologue

is that prelude is an introductory or preliminary performance or event; a preface while prologue is a speech or section used as an introduction, especially to a play or novel.

What is the difference between prologue and introduction?

Prologue — A prologue is similar to an Introduction, and in my view it is really exactly the same. The difference is simply that if you write a Prologue, it makes sense to also write an Epilogue, while with an Introduction you don’t expect any type of closing to the book other than the last chapter.

Is a prologue chapter one?

There is no difference between a prologue called a prologue, and one called ‘chapter one’. If the information is irrelevant to the story, do not include it. If the information is relevant to the story, but only in a setting/atmospheric context, include it only when you need to establish that setting/atmosphere.

What is a prologue example?

For example, imagine you’re writing a story about World War II: you could include a prologue explaining the historical context, or you could write a scene in which two characters discuss what’s been happening in the world, so that the reader gets the same information, just less directly.

How many forwards can a book have?

It is possible for a book to have two forewords, although this is not the norm. If you do decide to have two people each write a forward for your book, consider asking them to keep them short.

What is the beginning of a novel called?

Front matter is the information that appears in the very beginning of a book. The front matter contains the nuts and bolts of the book’s publication—information such as title, author, publisher, ISBN, and Library of Congress data.

Should you write a novel in order?

Great novels feel seamless. The plot is tight, the conflict compelling and believable, the characters jump off the page. Every detail feels organic, as though it couldn’t have been written in any other way than what we’re reading.

What’s the difference between a prologue and a preface?

Preface is an introduction to a literary work written by the work’s author himself. Prologue is a separate introductory section of a literary, dramatic, or musical work.