I never really get or understand the need for prologues or epilogues in narrative. I often skip them. I’m not sure why exactly. But perhaps it does stem from Shakespeare’s quote: What’s past is prologue. Perhaps that is precisely it. It isn’t just about narrative but life and how I want to experience it. I’m not saying that the past isn’t important. Of course it is. The past is what makes up the present. It’s all of our experiences bundled into this one, bigger moment called life. What makes me laugh, cry, trust, distrust. Why I like a particular food or smell or song. Nostalgia I suppose. But it is faint and fleeting as I try to grasp what it is that makes me feel in that moment. It’s still, even then, about the moment of now. It always makes me think of E.E. Cummings and "for life's not a paragraph/And death i think is no parenthesis." The smell of freshly cut grass that may take me back to watching my dad mow the lawn while I read by the pool as a child may remind me of him. I may cry or laugh thinking of him. But it is that moment, again, the present moment, that I am living, feeling, breathing, experiencing. I can never go back and say, “Stop. I want this moment forever. Freeze it. This feeling of happiness. Pause. Don’t move. This is it.” I feel it only because I live it. In the present. Being mindful of that is important, even with polar opposite feelings. For as I remember those moments I sat in awe of my dad, I sit here now with a smile and a tear at once. I love that I have the memory and I cry that it is gone, like so many people I’ve lost in my life. But the memory itself, only happens in the present. So I guess with narrative I want to feel the story too, as it’s happening. Right then. I want to live the story with the characters. The narrative itself, for me, should tell the stories of the past within the framework. To me a prologue and epilogue try to tell me how I SHOULD feel or think rather than let me, the reader, decide. Let me ponder it, figure it out as I’m reading. Let the words and actions and settings of the characters help me to deduce why a character has become the way he or she is. Let me decide what the future may hold for them based on what I’ve read of their story. Let me keep a sliver of my imagination intact. After all, isn't that why we read? "By the time I recognize this moment, this moment will be gone."--John Mayer
18 Comments
6/12/2016 10:08:39
I totally agree! We get into trouble when we dwell on the past or focus too much on the future, and that's in real life! In stories, I will read the prologue and epilogue, but they almost feel detached to the story. I like stories best when they launch straight into the action and tell us what's going on "now" in that world :)
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R.B.
6/23/2016 13:52:37
We are very much alike, Scarlett!
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For me it's Brylcream hair stuff or right guard deodorant reminds me of Daddy. Just the thought brings me comfort remembering him combing his hair after his shower and the humid scents linger... I am the same way. The past holds too many regrets and the future is uncertain at best. In stories, I tend to keep moving forward and give the reader glimpses of the past through dialogue such as reminiscing... If it is needed...
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R.B.
6/23/2016 13:53:14
Yup...I know those smells you mean...our senses are powerful.
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6/12/2016 11:18:35
I like prologues and epilogues. When done right they can be very powerful and add to the story, drawing you in. I believe they can do a great job in thrillers or suspense stories meant to fuck the reader's mind, especially if the prologue is written from the POV of a mysterious narrator. But in the end it is up to everyone what they'll skip or not from the story. :)
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R.B.
6/23/2016 13:53:50
Heehee! You are a muse of mine. What can I say?
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6/12/2016 11:39:06
I also like to write in the Fantasy genre, where prologues are very common. I love them. They often can set up the stories major themes and stakes before introducing your protagonist. As you're getting to know the protagonist and the start of your journey, you know there is something bigger awaiting to be unleashed. Often the past has impact on the story. Outside of the Fantasy genre, I'm not sure they're necessary. But I would never skip them. An author writes a prologue for a reason. You are not getting the full story by skipping them. Epilogue is just a nice way to end a story. Hey, this is the ending, we're wrapping things up. You could just call it Chapter XX but it signals to the reader closure (so you better provide closure if you have an epilogue). I can understand not liking them but to just skip them and read the story anyways is robbing yourself of the experience the author is crafting you and while that is your own prerogative, why?
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R.B.
6/23/2016 13:55:33
Good questions, Reed. Why, you ask? Because I almost always find them unnecessary...sometimes though, between you and me, after the story, I might go back to them. But guess what? Yup. I usually end up scratching my head asking that very question: Why?
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Dee See
6/12/2016 13:32:10
Well, whether it is formally part of a story there is always something building the background and there is always an ending that is supposed by what has been written if only in the mind of the reader. To eschew prologue for now would be to assume things happen in a vacuum, and unless the story includes the end of all existence then the reader it allowed to take the story beyond what is written.
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R.B.
6/23/2016 13:57:02
Love it! Plus, I love the word eschew. But I respectfully disagree. ;) Nothing is dead if it exists in words, prologue or not.
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Ray Getzinger
6/12/2016 15:59:50
If the past can be deduced from the main body a prologue isn't necessary. I like a story that leaves enough to my imagination that I can figure out for myself what happens when the characters ride off into the sunset.
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R.B.
6/23/2016 13:57:31
Then we agree, Ray!
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6/12/2016 18:54:50
I agree with those who say that prologues/epilogues can be effective when used strategically. As a writer, sometimes I'm guilty of using an epilogue just to tie up loose ends for myself. Hopefully, readers will forgive me. :)
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David Lee
6/13/2016 04:46:00
R.b I have to agree with you. From my understanding of the word Prologue and how it is used in writing and everyday life. I am goin with the epilogue once I truly get grasp the meaning of the word. Use it loosely atm. I have had moments with people it's like i want this to stay for ever. I am so happy to be friends with this person and happiness fills my heart. Then I lose them as you were reflecting on your father. I the same. So in saying that to use part of own lifes experiences to create a character. That would be using a prologue right. And the worst thing is while that feeling and emotional attachment is there be fantastic to be able to forsee into the future and create a path that keeps the moment flowing so there is no history of pain. I could be very wrong in all of this. But if I am to dwell on the past i could have changed paths or choices in life and then i would have had a more happier past. Learnt and will continue to learn i am never to old to live in a dream and grasp the happiest moments an run with it. Even in the separation from certain people cuts so deep. In reference to these two words i believe do what feels good. If you write something and your gut feeling isn't a good thing. .but then in certain areas of writing fantasy is also good spin. .i have so much to learn all of you know so much about the deep and meaningfuls of writing. I only grab the basic idea
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S.D.
6/13/2016 07:50:26
I feel that passion of yours. I have mixed feelings though. I don't mind them if the book is short. I hate those books where the author tries to cram everythingin the prologue and epilogue like they just got sick of writing the story. Does erotica use those? I liked to read the story too as it unfolds. Erotic is the moment you describe. I'm talking in circles! it's why I waited to write here to begin with. I may come back. :)
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6/13/2016 15:50:49
I enjoy prologues when done correctly. I especially enjoy epilogues when they give me a peek into what happened next for the couple.
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8/1/2016 21:11:50
I'm a fan of prologues and epilogues when done correctly. I'm a fan of historical fiction, for instance, and sometimes a good prologue can lay down the groundwork for the tale that follows. WEB Griffin is notably good at that. He wrote a very good prologue in "Retreat, Hell," (I think that was the title) laying down the groundwork of how the Korean War was allowed to happen, and the blunders in policy that led to it.
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I LOVE to write and read. I particularly enjoy reading erotic romance that has tons of emotion in it. I hope you will ask me questions and share your favorite authors and novels. I welcome all feedback.
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