6 Keys to Successful Prologues
6 Keys to Successful Prologues
How you begin your novel is one of the most important decisions you, as an author, will make. In today's fiercely competitive literary marketplace, the pressure to start-off with a “bang" leads many writers to a prologue (and thinking they are short-cutting to the action). Many writers, however, don't understand what a prologue is and kill their chances of getting read by thinking a prologue is a band-aid to a weak Chapter One. This tutorial provides guidance and practical examples for executing an engaging prologue,resulting in your manuscript being read and considered for publication.
This tutorial is presented by Charlotte Robin Cook, an experienced publisher and story editor, and Jon James Miller, an award-winning screenwriter and first time novelist with Garbo's Last Stand, a novel told in dual-first person (and includes a prologue).
In this 58-minute tutorial video, you'll discover:
- Why prologues are more pervasive than ever in today's market
- How to hook the reader with a dynamic action scene
- The do's and don'ts of using prologues
- Examples of successful prologues
- The ingredients of a successful prologue
- How to jump-start your story and get your manuscript read
- Tips for getting acquisition editors to request more of your work
- Why you shouldn't hide a prologue by naming it chapter one
- How not to use a prologue to hide a weak first chapter
- How to avoid using cliches to jump-start your story
Prologues can be powerful storytelling tools if used appropriately. Knowing when and how to use a prologue is the first crucial step to getting your manuscript read,and then sold. This tutorial will demystify the elements necessary to effectively craft a prologue and hook your readers from page one.
