Why Your Fiction Novel May or May Not Need a Prologue

Many writers I work with wonder if they need a prologue in their fiction novel.

It’s a good question, and often my answer is no. They need to weave that information into the main story's narrative, but there are some exceptions.

But first, what is a prologue?

A prologue is a literary tool that serves as an introduction to the story. Why all the frowny faces when it comes to prologues? You hear agents don't like them, and readers don't read them. Not true. Agents don't want a poorly written prologue, and neither do readers.

Here's how to tell if you need a prologue and the quick and dirty on how to make it good.

Your story may need a prologue if the main story narrative cannot deliver a vital piece of information that is key for the reader to understand before beginning the book. It must be directly related to the central conflict, and it needs to hook.

Often prologues are out of time/sequence with the rest of the story. They can foreshadow events (you see this in thrillers), introduce a separate POV from the protagonist, such as the antagonists or villain, and add dramatic irony (when the reader knows something the main character does not).

Tips for writing effective prologues:

• Keep it short and relevant to the central conflict of the plot. The prologue is not a place to info dump backstory.

• Ensure you're giving the reader vital information they must know right now that could not be woven into the narrative later on.

• Consider genre conventions: Fantasy and thrills often need a prologue though not always.

• Make sure you hook the reader (make them ask a question, anticipate something, pique their curiosity somehow).

• Hook them again in the first chapter, even more than you did in the prologue.

If you are a speculative fiction reader and enjoy YA, the first book of The Raven Cycle: The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater is an excellent example of a knock-out prologue.