What is a Prologue?

Inquiring minds want to know: What is a prologue? Well, basically it is an introduction.... but more specifically, it is used within a fiction novel and sets the scene by giving extra info that a reader needs to better understand the story.

Prologues require a delicate balance if they are to be used wisely. Not all books contain prologues, but depending on the story or the genre, they can be most helpful if used properly.

The ancient Greeks often made good use of prologues when performing theatre, as did the people of the Middle Ages and those in Elizabethan England. The most well-known writers who made use of a prologue were Chaucer in his famous travel story, "The Canterbury Tales," as did Shakespeare's tragic tale of "Romeo and Juliet."

The most important work of a prologue is to offer a juicy hook to the reader, and this must be done from the very start. It must dangle just enough backstory, foreshadowing elements, and mystery to engage the reader. The goal is to give them just enough to understand the story more deeply, yet not enough to give the whole thing away- and also to make them want to continue reading and figure it out. Give the reader just enough details, yet not too much to make it boring either.

The reader may need backstory details- something that happened from the past, or additional details to better understand a place and its history- particularly if the story takes place in some imaginary land or time.

One thing to keep in mind when writing your prologue: It may be necessary to write the prologue from another POV. For example, if your story is written from the first-person POV, then the prologue may work better written from the third-person POV. This could particulalry be the case if another character knows some secret or has inside knowledge that the main character does not have, and if it is crucial for the reader to have this knowledge as they read. Or rather than a secret, the prologue could shed a tiny light upon a character by way of a scene from a character's past. A good example of this is "The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood." (Rebecca Wells) Keep in mind that the prologue may offer information from the past (backstory), a scene that takes place from the middle of the story, or something from the end- and the first chapter may begin elsewhere within the story.

An epilogue, on the other hand, offers a conclusion and possibly some answers that summarize the whole story. So if we look at it from this perspective, a prologue should setup questions for the reader.

Short and sweet, here are some basic tips to keep in mind:

Prologues should not be overly long so as to bore the reader. Don't give them every single detail.
Hook the reader with intrigue from the very beginning. Foreshadowing elements are helpful.
Give them additional info they need to better understand the story & its characters.
It could offer some backstory insight.
Use a tricky balance of just enough detail, yet not too much.
Consider telling the prologue from a different POV.
Keep in mind that you may not need a prologue.