I'll readily admit I don't know the answer to this question. I don't have a negative experience with them. In fact, I've seen them used well. The times where I've enjoyed them seem to be as a hooks into exciting parts to come later. Sometimes, they reveal an occurrence from a different time or place that set certain events into motion. I like this as well.
Oddly, the prologue seems to be one of the most hotly debated writing topics out there. People seem to despise them. A rather strong reaction it seems to me, but I'm not a literary critic, agent or anyone else of importance in the writing world. Critic's, agents and editors read hundreds upon hundreds of books with the intent of picking them apart and deciding their worth. I can imagine certain conventions or tricks get really old. Apparently, the prologue is one of them.
Why do I bring this up? I've been flirting with one in one of my latest novels. The one I've written is funny (at least I think so;-D). It shows one of the MC's in a precarious position. She has just made a life altering choice. As I'm writing this, I realize one important thing. I'm kind of revealing an important decision she deliberates through most of the book. Do I want that decision revealed so quickly? I'll have to think about that. Still, I like the idea of starting with such a funny and important scene. I feel like it draws a reader in.
Then, what's the problem? After reading so many articles, blog entries, etc., I doubt myself. It would seem some people don't even read the prologue. Worse, agents seem to get turned off at even seeing that word at the top of the first page. If the idea is to make a good impression, I don't want to make a huge blunder right from the get-go.
I'm almost talking myself out of doing it just as I write this. Does it really matter what I think? I guess it should. It is my work of course. But, part of writing is hoping someone else might enjoy it someday.
Something to think about along with everything else about writing;-)
No comments:
Post a Comment