DISCUSSION: Stories with Prolouge

So, let’s talk about stories that have prologues shall we? Do you like prologue? Long or shot or depending on the author? What SHOULD YOU NOT DO when you’re writing a prologue in your story? What should you DO when your writing a prologue? Let’s discuss. :sunglasses::grin:

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Sounds like I’m gonna need a beta reader for my prologue. lol

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I like prologues personally, but that might just be the stories I like to read.

To me, a prologue should be a brief snapshot of action, either flash-forward or backward, to hook readers immediately. It should then be followed by an episode with less action and more introduction and buildup.

Sample of the kind of prologue I'm talking about

My hands shook on the cold metal of the gun, the rain drenching me, threatening to make me drop the weapon if I wasn’t holding it this tight.
“Trigger discipline, Moira,” he said, the rain pasting his loose t-shirt to his skin. “You shouldn’t have your finger on the trigger unless you’re about to pull it.”
“Then I guess I’m doing it right,” I replied icily, trying to show confidence I didn’t feel.
“Really?” he asked. “You’d shoot someone you once loved more than anything?”
(end prologue, begin chapter 1)
“Oh, and I got a tattoo of a cow milking another cow,” said Camille as I tuned in.
“What?”
“Oh, that got your attention. You weren’t listening to a word I said, were you?”
I stirred the slop that the cafeteria passed off as chili. “Well…”
(etcetera)

Be sure not to give spoilers in a prologue like this. (Notice how I didn’t include the name or likeness of the mysterious man in my sample prologue, or why they were having this conflict).
This kind of prologue should definitely be more interesting than the rest of the episode. If it’s just some earlier details that are small but important, save them for a flashback when they’re relevant.

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:100::raised_hands:

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@amberose @Hijiko what do you guys think? What’s your view/opinion?

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it’s all just giving the reader a brief sneak peak of what is going to happen further in the story.

For example, you are watching a movie n gives a prologue showing someone is riding in a carriage in the middle of the night, let’s a vampire, n then it shows a girl laying down looking like she’s falling asleep but isn’t so then it also shows a window being open then out of no where the vamps comes in n kidnapped the girl. Short n brief, and then boom. the movies starts of what is going to happen further.

I don’t really have much to add. @Scarlet_Sapphire summed it up well

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ikr, very much summed it up. :sunglasses:

don’t overthink. Just practice, take your time and do it, if you need help, we’re always here to help. :wink:

So, here I am working on my prologue not trying to make it too long, just brief, and I’m like…“I hope I don’t mess up.”

I’d say it’s really up to you to choose ! I personally almost don’t use prologues, as I like to put the reader instantly into a particular situation, at least if this action is happening in the present time. However, I do like to use flashbacks even if it’s just a few minutes later on ! I can get a bit bored if these are too long, though. So I suggest to use very few dialogues and let it be more “visual”.
A sneak peak before starting the actual story can’t hurt, though, and you’re right when you say that @Scarlet_Sapphire summed up well!
I don’t have a particular preference. But I could be your beta reader, and tell you my thoughts on it before you publish it!

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