An editor leading a retreat told us there is no good reason for a prologue, to just begin the story at Chapter 1. Yet, authors do use prologues successfully in adult and children’s literature, fiction and nonfiction. As I was preparing to write this article on prologues I opened my e-mail box to this Read More
READ LIKE A WRITER, a teaching blog
PROLOGUES: Reasons Against and For in Children's Lit
July 10, 2013
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Beth Fehlbaum, COMPASSIONATE WARRIOR, COUNTERFEIT SON, COURAGE IN PATIENCE, David Almond, Elaine Marie Alphin, Elsa Marston, KIT’S WILDERNESS, Louise Hawes, NO SURRENDER SOLDIER, THE PERFECT SHOT, WAITING FOR CHRISTOPHER
3 Comments
Comments
Jul 15, 2013 4:28 AM EDT
I think that, just like everything else in literature, you can't make blanket statements about whether something "should" or "shouldn't" be in a novel. You make valid points both for and against prologues, so the answer is (and always will be)..."it depends." Great article!
- Kym Brunner - author of Wanted: Dead or In Love
Jul 15, 2013 5:01 AM EDT
As a writing teacher, my guideline for prologues was that they should be necessary to both the internal and external arcs of the story.
Or put another way, if you need it, use it. If you don't, don't.
Blanket rules about writing don't do much for me. There always are exceptions, the trick to success being: whatever it is, do it brilliantly.
- Cynthia Leitich Smith
Jul 16, 2013 6:03 PM EDT
I agree wholeheartedly with you both, Kym and Cyn. And thank you for expressing the 'test' so brilliantly, Cyn!
- Christine Kohler