An editor suggested I include a brief prologue to my MS to add a tiny bit of information on what is going on without swamping the reader in the first chapters.
Immediately I tensed. For some reason this seems to be a bad idea to me. But when I thought about it for a longer time, I wasn't sure why I felt this way. Are prologues generally frowned upon? I don't like the idea of 'using up' my submission allowances with tiny prologues which may count as '1 chapter'...
Help!
I've tried a prologue which took place mid-book, as far as timescale was concerned, but found it a confusing read so ended up writing a new one and using the original as a chapter. On the other hand I wrote one that took place a single day after the last chapter ended, so time-jumps can work.
Just avoid writing any of those things prologues are not, and which you see far too often: reasons the story was written (a foreword or afterword), acknowledgements, historical notes - like Lorraine said, a prologue is or should be a vital part of the novel.
The man difficulty is to make it as reader-enticing as a first chapter, but also write that first chapter the same way. You have to grab those readers who skip prologues, and I gather there are a few.
Best of luck :)
Ah ok, that's interesting. Thanks both!
What Lorraine says...
When I've been asked for the 1st three chapters of my book, I give those, plus the prologue. Admittedly my prologue is only 570 words long, but in all the feedback I've had it's never been a problem. But if your prologue is chapter-length, it might raise a few eyebrows. I doubt the presence of a good prologue would hamper your chances.