Everyone tells us, 'The first impression is the last impression', and most of the time it is. If you mocked me during our first meeting, I wouldn't want to meet you ever again. The same goes for books. The prologue of any story is the first impression, and which writer doesn't want to make a good impression on the readers? Even minor mistakes in the prologue can affect your reader. So, why not know the mistakes that you can make while writing one? Here you go:
Info Dumping: When I'm reading a prologue, I do not want to know your complete story. Your prologue should tease me not tell me everything. Trust me, when you do info-dumping, it becomes too much confusing and overwhelming.
What to do instead: As I told you above, tease me, and use a scene that can capture my attention and make me crave for more. Be it the history of your world or a scene that tells me the theme. But don't give me the answers in the prologue, just leave the questions and answer them later in the story.
Lack of Hook:Â No reader ever likes a prologue moving slowly. If it fails to hook me, most likely, I'll stop reading the book. Why will I read a book that fails to hook me even in the very first I read?
What to do instead: Start with something that can grab the reader's attention. Maybe an intense action scene, an unusual character, or a mystery that needs to be solved. The point is, that it should make me want to read more.
Irrelevant Content:Â Don't make me read something that has no connection with your story or theme. Each point in your prologue should have its own purpose. If you're adding a prologue in your story, make sure it fits well.
What to do instead: While writing a prologue, know that it is a part of your story. If a character is introduced they should play an important role in the story ahead. Your prologue should be a part of the narrative, not a side note.
Overly Complex Language:Â No one sits to read with Google in their hand, so make sure you're not making your language overly complex. Keep it simple and understandable.
Spoiling Surprises:Â Don't reveal major plot twists or resolutions in the prologue. The purpose of this section is to develop curiosity and set the stage, not to spoil the surprises that await readers later in the story. Keep a sense of mystery and allow the plot to be revealed naturally.
Know that the prologue should be a glimpse into the story, not a major plot twist or information dump. It shouldn't be too long to bore the reader.
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