Guest Post by U. L. Harper

I’m very happy to present this guest post from U. L. Harper, author of The Secret Deaths of Arthur Lowe, on a discussion about prologues.

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Raise your hand if you remember watching The X-files.

I watched the hell out of some X-files. The first scene of the show would always be the introduction to the story, really. I loved it every time.

Another of my favorite shows, Breaking Bad, did something incredibly similar with their opening. Ironically, with a bunch of the same writing crew from the X-files. The opening shot would do something intriguing, that mysteriously added to the storyline.

To me these examples worked as what a prologue to a novel should be. They worked by themselves but added tone and context to the upcoming story. It’s something you took with you into the story, an extra layer provided. You can take it out, because it works without it, but why would you do that?

Nowadays when I read a prologue, it’s usually the stronger beginning of the story, or an item missing from the story that the author couldn’t work in properly, or even worse, a summary to get the reader started. Sometimes, I see prologues because the beginning of the novel is slow, and the author or whomever wants more gripping content up front. Basically the opening of the book is boring and they’re trying to cover it up.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m perfectly fine with an introductory scene, but why not attach it to the ensuing sequence of events to get the novel going?

Because of how prologues are done these days, when I see the word prologue I just flip on by it. With that being said, off the top of my head, I can’t think of a prologue to a novel I like. I’m sure I’ve read one or heard of one, but it’s not coming to me.

Here is my suggestion: be compelling, not necessarily exciting. Action doesn’t always mean movement. I understand the pressure to try and compete with television and movies and YouTube and social media, but the best way to do that is with good writing, not finding shortcuts like a prologue to get the reader into the story faster. It’s high time to realize identifying with the reader will win the day, if the writing is authentic, timely, and has purposeful style. To say it differently, the idea is to engage the reader on multiple levels rather than to pacify on only one.

So here’s the thing. If you like a nice prologue go ahead and let me know. I’ll tell you why you have issues. Just kidding, but seriously, point me to good prologues. I want to see what they look like.

And don’t even get me started on an epilogue.

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Prologues are tricky things. They feel like part of the story, but not really because they’re supposed to stand on their own. I think they work better in a sequel where you already know some of the characters and world. You have one story under your belt where everything seems fine and then…dun…Dun…DUN! A prologue comes along stirring the next crisis. 

I want to thank Mr. Harper for stopping by. Leave a comment with a book you couldn’t imagine without its prologue, or one you’d really rather reread without. 

  

One man’s struggle to accept his wife’s death, and the cost of bringing her back to life.

For more from Mr. Harper or to get your hands on The Secret Deaths of Arthur Lowe or his other books visit:

Twitter: @ulharper

Facebook: U.L. Harper fan club https://www.facebook.com/groups/255086458447/ 

Amazon Author page: https://www.amazon.com/U.L.-Harper/e/B004YSJENI/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

 

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