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Hi everyone i would like your advice or suggestions as what makes a good intro or prologue please, only I done some practice lately and now I am ready to commence the real thing, so I would appreciate some useful tips on the topic please.
Phil.
Comments
It all depends on WHY you feel you have to have a prologue?
As for advice on openings in general? Hook the reader from the first line of the book, it has to pack enough punch that they say Wow! I HAVE to read this! but be careful of putting too much action/drama/tension in your first chapter unless you intend to raise the bar for the rest of the book.
It has made the structure stronger, makes more sense, the plot is tighter and I've been able to cut some flashbacks and minor characters form the book. The best thing though is it doesn't niggle any more so I'm more confident of the plot and story.
So my suggestion is really think about why you need one and is there a way to have the information/plot development happen later in the book instead. It could make it stronger and remove any niggles you have about prologues.
Good luck.
Prologues are really tricky all round...
I'm glad Magic 15 raised this subject. My WIP is based on a particular concept. I had been having trouble conveying the metaphor in the story line but I lifted it out and wrote it as The Prologue and now it sets up the story and works a dream (hold that thought until the editor sees it...) but I shall fight for it because it really does work.
I'm sure some other genres don't do prologues at all.
Phil.
The best thing to do is put characters in the search box for this forum and see how many discussions we have had on the subject, when you do the first draft! I get the feeling you are putting it off, most of us are well on the way with our books by now, you are still at the question stage. That means you're putting off the actual work!
edit: look at the thread about showing deep emotion. Better than asking questions, search this forum. We've covered so much over the last five years.