Love this post, Anna. Great examples. And I agree - prologues can be brilliant at reeling the reader in. I always remember the prologue to Salem's Lot, set two years after the main events - two scared people on the run from something, and mention of the ghost town in Maine. And I reckon Donna Tartt put in the prologue to The Secret History because the first chapter lacks momentum. Looking forward to more posts!
Well now you're making me want to watch season 1 again... I don't mind prologues. In fact, I quite like them for the reasons you write about. They are a taster. However, the prologues you see in speculative fiction are terrible. They yell at the reader: THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT EXPLAINS SO MUCH DONT MISS THIS. Too needy.
Yes, it’s all about execution, isn’t it? I might watch season one again myself… I’ve seen it now about six or seven times, and I’ve never done that befor
Such a helpful article. Thank you! I am currently writing a prologue and experiencing first hand the real benefits. Hooking the reader, subtle foreshadowing and preventing the need for exposition in the main narrative - perfect!
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it! Yes, a prologue can really enhance a text if it’s got a particular function. So pleased to hear you’re discovering that!
Love this post, Anna. Great examples. And I agree - prologues can be brilliant at reeling the reader in. I always remember the prologue to Salem's Lot, set two years after the main events - two scared people on the run from something, and mention of the ghost town in Maine. And I reckon Donna Tartt put in the prologue to The Secret History because the first chapter lacks momentum. Looking forward to more posts!
Thanks Ian, also two other great examples of prologues that work — thank you!
Well now you're making me want to watch season 1 again... I don't mind prologues. In fact, I quite like them for the reasons you write about. They are a taster. However, the prologues you see in speculative fiction are terrible. They yell at the reader: THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT EXPLAINS SO MUCH DONT MISS THIS. Too needy.
Yes, it’s all about execution, isn’t it? I might watch season one again myself… I’ve seen it now about six or seven times, and I’ve never done that befor
Such a helpful article. Thank you! I am currently writing a prologue and experiencing first hand the real benefits. Hooking the reader, subtle foreshadowing and preventing the need for exposition in the main narrative - perfect!
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it! Yes, a prologue can really enhance a text if it’s got a particular function. So pleased to hear you’re discovering that!