Eva Pasco's Blog - Posts Tagged "prologue"
In Defense of the Prologue
Just as I believe every writer should heed his/her own voice rather than sell their artist’s soul to follow trends in the hope of increasing book sales—follow your instincts when it comes to formulating or foregoing a prologue.
Defined as an opening to a story, the “prologue” has potential to establish context, provide relevant background details, establish tone, introduce a theme, or provide thumbnail insight into the main characters.
An Indie author who devoted considerable time this week to writing the prologue for my WIP in the genre of Contemporary—'Aida’s Fishing Ground'—I view the prologue as a vehicle to provide just enough information to entice the reader to delve into the story.
I take umbrage with negative feedback about prologues:
1. They’re out of vogue as most readers find them boring and want to jump right into the story.
2. They’re considered an information dump of incidental overload.
A writer who is also an avid reader, I’m fond of saying that I write books I’d like to read. Hence, as my own harshest critic, I’m confident my prologue has its mojo working by establishing the setting, staging the tone, and providing story direction and focus to pique the reader’s curiosity. It’s not full disclosure, but rather an opening or lead-in, as is the nature of a prologue.
It’s my opinion that critics need to give potential readers more credit. I refuse to believe that an avid reader is looking for a jiffy-fix rather than a soulful journey which begins with a prologue.
Eva’s Byte #362 – At Last
I found a dream, that I could speak to
A dream that I can call my own
(“At Last” by Etta James – Released: 1960)
At this point in time I received an email from Carl Hoffman, the founder and webmaster of The Sixties Official Site, now celebrating 16 years on the web. He wrote to let me know there was a dedication to me on April’s Soundtrack of the 60s with Neal Stevens. Sure enough, the dedication accompanied the same song I’d requested, probably ten years ago, when Carl asked for the members to contribute the title of their favorite song for a Neal Stevens soundtrack composite.
“At Last” by Etta James…
From the Prologue of my nonfiction memoir collection, 100 Wild Mushrooms: Memoirs of the ‘60s, which bespeaks of one dream I can call my own:
A newly published author in 2008, I prioritized increasing my visibility, while adding to my credibility, by binge-writing my way out of obscurity. Having grown up during the Sixties, I drew upon those experiences to write my first memoir, “A Mini Tribute to Twiggy,” and submitted it for publication at The Sixties Official Site. When the webmaster graciously invited me to write more, and offered to set up my own page there, I eagerly accepted and turned out a memoir every week for approximately two years, contributing 100 in total…
In the here and now, I still cherish the honor of being an integral part of the “Baby Boomer’s Top Choice Sixties Website” via a page where my Retro ‘60s Flashbacks continue to flash.
http://www.the60sofficialsite.com/
*May the fruition of our dreams lead to fulfillment.
My sincere appreciation if you’ve read this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: https://tinyurl.com/yycm7d2w
A dream that I can call my own
(“At Last” by Etta James – Released: 1960)
At this point in time I received an email from Carl Hoffman, the founder and webmaster of The Sixties Official Site, now celebrating 16 years on the web. He wrote to let me know there was a dedication to me on April’s Soundtrack of the 60s with Neal Stevens. Sure enough, the dedication accompanied the same song I’d requested, probably ten years ago, when Carl asked for the members to contribute the title of their favorite song for a Neal Stevens soundtrack composite.
“At Last” by Etta James…
From the Prologue of my nonfiction memoir collection, 100 Wild Mushrooms: Memoirs of the ‘60s, which bespeaks of one dream I can call my own:
A newly published author in 2008, I prioritized increasing my visibility, while adding to my credibility, by binge-writing my way out of obscurity. Having grown up during the Sixties, I drew upon those experiences to write my first memoir, “A Mini Tribute to Twiggy,” and submitted it for publication at The Sixties Official Site. When the webmaster graciously invited me to write more, and offered to set up my own page there, I eagerly accepted and turned out a memoir every week for approximately two years, contributing 100 in total…
In the here and now, I still cherish the honor of being an integral part of the “Baby Boomer’s Top Choice Sixties Website” via a page where my Retro ‘60s Flashbacks continue to flash.
http://www.the60sofficialsite.com/
*May the fruition of our dreams lead to fulfillment.
My sincere appreciation if you’ve read this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: https://tinyurl.com/yycm7d2w
Eva’s Byte #484 – Mettle to the Pedal
During the past week, one of life’s hairpin turns mandated I step up my A-game. Catapulted from the comfort zone of my office in the capacity of a writer, I literally hit the road for them thar hills by way of the interstate. Previously avoided due to traffic congestion in the aftermath of a bridge closure and lane conversion, I put my mettle to the pedal behind the wheel.
Piece of cake! Until the eastbound return trip during rush hour which entailed a 30-minute delay.
Not my first A-game rodeo by any means, it just goes to show you what an adrenaline rush under fire can accomplish.
Now, to put my mettle to the pedal in fabricating my next work in progress, put on hold during a crisis that’s stabilized, and a visit from family. I’ve come up with names for the characters who’ve made themselves known and began drafting the prologue (177 words thus far).
*For every strike, may our resilience enable us to get back in the game.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
Piece of cake! Until the eastbound return trip during rush hour which entailed a 30-minute delay.
Not my first A-game rodeo by any means, it just goes to show you what an adrenaline rush under fire can accomplish.
Now, to put my mettle to the pedal in fabricating my next work in progress, put on hold during a crisis that’s stabilized, and a visit from family. I’ve come up with names for the characters who’ve made themselves known and began drafting the prologue (177 words thus far).
*For every strike, may our resilience enable us to get back in the game.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
Eva’s Byte #485 – A Change of Scenery
A welcome change it was during my sister and her family’s annual summer visit to the East Coast. One of our traditions is that of boarding a ferry to undertake a 30-mile, lighthouse sightseeing cruise on Narragansett Bay.
Cruising at speeds of 30 knots in between ten Rhode Island lighthouses, the ferry would slow down to a crawl for close-ups of each structure, and for views of mansions and yachts in Newport Harbor along the 95-minute narrated tour.
Although overcast, gusty, and blustery on the upper deck at the expense of catching the full narration, there’s nothing like experiencing what the ocean has to dish out.
In the capacity of a writer, I’m cruising at a slow crawl for drafting my Contemporary work in progress. Simultaneously conducting research and incorporating what I need in a storytelling fashion, I’ve finished drafting the prologue at 545 words. I’m in the process of composing Chapter 1 (218 words thus far).
*May each of us take time to enjoy any scenery which serves as a beacon for inspiration.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
Cruising at speeds of 30 knots in between ten Rhode Island lighthouses, the ferry would slow down to a crawl for close-ups of each structure, and for views of mansions and yachts in Newport Harbor along the 95-minute narrated tour.
Although overcast, gusty, and blustery on the upper deck at the expense of catching the full narration, there’s nothing like experiencing what the ocean has to dish out.
In the capacity of a writer, I’m cruising at a slow crawl for drafting my Contemporary work in progress. Simultaneously conducting research and incorporating what I need in a storytelling fashion, I’ve finished drafting the prologue at 545 words. I’m in the process of composing Chapter 1 (218 words thus far).
*May each of us take time to enjoy any scenery which serves as a beacon for inspiration.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
