tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764329434741342023.post2838459500754120206..comments2023-04-20T18:24:37.591+01:00Comments on Carol's Corner: To Prologue or Not...Carolbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578076528292643928noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764329434741342023.post-84786467407992606062019-05-08T15:38:08.964+01:002019-05-08T15:38:08.964+01:00Ken- thanks for visiting and commenting. :-)
That...Ken- thanks for visiting and commenting. :-)<br /><br />That's a good reminder, it is about making the story the best it can be.Carolbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05578076528292643928noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764329434741342023.post-5780920142349286722019-05-08T00:59:20.314+01:002019-05-08T00:59:20.314+01:00If a prologue makes the story better, go for it. T...If a prologue makes the story better, go for it. The story is all.Kenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07225064291456383684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764329434741342023.post-90544017048311578982019-04-30T18:02:29.017+01:002019-04-30T18:02:29.017+01:00Julia- that's actually a useful thing to try, ...Julia- that's actually a useful thing to try, thanks.<br /><br />Ann- thank you for popping in to the blog. :-) I hope my prologue will fit the former type, but I will write it and see if it works. Thanks again.xCarolbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05578076528292643928noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764329434741342023.post-46254900538353123592019-04-30T17:11:34.631+01:002019-04-30T17:11:34.631+01:00Carol, I have read several books recently with pro...Carol, I have read several books recently with prologues, some of which worked - were brief and to the point but contained a vital element outside the timescale of the story that affected the outcome - and others felt like the author was unburdening themselves of all the extra material they had gathered but not used elsewhere.<br /><br />Maybe actually writing the prologue will help you decide ifAnn Williamsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764329434741342023.post-91257753076360456782019-04-30T14:03:49.809+01:002019-04-30T14:03:49.809+01:00If you want a proglogue. have a prologue! I wouldn...If you want a proglogue. have a prologue! I wouldn't necessarily label it as such (remember 'Up Pompeii'?), but maybe a different typeface before the story proper? Julia Thorleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00485301135194085398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764329434741342023.post-48837713003879005632019-04-29T12:00:52.935+01:002019-04-29T12:00:52.935+01:00Bea- you've made some good points on why prolo...Bea- you've made some good points on why prologues don't work. I have to admit to going through all those elements when I was thinking about using a prologue.Carolbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05578076528292643928noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764329434741342023.post-83792009963152013092019-04-29T10:46:41.340+01:002019-04-29T10:46:41.340+01:00As you say, it is a marmite issue. Generally I dis...As you say, it is a marmite issue. Generally I dislike prologues and find them used nowadays more frequently than is necessary. Used well they are a good hook. Used badly they can be a poorly inserted info dump (although I’m sure yours won’t be, Carol!), or a misdirection of tone and style, or strangely enough often irrelevant once the story is properly underway.Bea Charleshttp://beacreativewriter.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764329434741342023.post-72581626697021587122019-04-29T10:44:15.264+01:002019-04-29T10:44:15.264+01:00Susan- Like you I've never understood why prol...Susan- Like you I've never understood why prologues are disliked so much. As long as they are needed and as I've found can't be sorted out elsewhere, then use it.<br /><br />Knowing about your travels I can see a prologue would help the reader. <br /><br />Elizabeth- yes, that's what I'm aiming for. Carolbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05578076528292643928noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764329434741342023.post-54060667622400276892019-04-29T07:19:39.553+01:002019-04-29T07:19:39.553+01:00Hi Carol,
I believe they can work very well provid...Hi Carol,<br />I believe they can work very well provided they are not too long, just enough to give the vital info without holding the reader back from getting their teeth into the story :)Elizabeth McGintynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764329434741342023.post-53302642932016927622019-04-29T01:07:16.031+01:002019-04-29T01:07:16.031+01:00I've never understood why prologues are contro...I've never understood why prologues are controversial. If a story benefits from a prologue, then it should be included. I'm currently writing a travel memoir with a prologue because it seems like the best way to give the reader information I want them to have before they start reading the actual story.<br /><br />Susan A Eames at<br /><a href="http://Susan A Eameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06216267529948378488noreply@blogger.com