Those first few chapters

Paradox 99

Paradox 99

KenDodd'sDad'sDog'sDead
Joined
Sep 20, 2005
Messages
854
Location
Essex, England
Most agents tend to ask for the first 3-6 chapters of your novel when considering a writer's work.
I was just wondering where a prologue fits in with this.
There's been some debating on here before of why and when prologues ought to be included. Personally, I've found that the prologue can be a useful place to insert a good action scene or intrigue when I prefer to have the opening chapters for build up.

Should the prologue be included as one of the chapters when an agent asks for the first 3?
 
Good answer (the one I was hoping for).:D
I sometimes feel that my opening chapters don't represent my best work, but I suppose that, prologue or no prologue, a trained eye will still be able to determine if the writer has that certain spark.
 
Your opening chapters really must present your best writing! If you don't interest the editor or agent in the first few pages, they won't read on, since the narrative hook that opens the book is vital...and they'll have another thirty books that have arrived in the same week to get through.

Editor and agent's watchword: Life's Too Short.
 
John Jarrold said:
Your opening chapters really must present your best writing! If you don't interest the editor or agent in the first few pages, they won't read on, since the narrative hook that opens the book is vital...and they'll have another thirty books that have arrived in the same week to get through.

Editor and agent's watchword: Life's Too Short.
Click to expand...

:eek: :eek: That's set my paranoia about my work off big time this morning *grins*. Oh well, just have to keep writing and plugging away.

The prologue being considered the first chapter, re a submission, is news to me, but then I have never submitted a story with a prologue, so it is something I have never thought on.
 
It's the same thing, as far as I'm concerned, Sue. Just the beginning of the book...
 
The most irritating thing for me at the moment is that my first few chapters represent some of my worst work. I haven't nearly finished the novel yet, and I know it's going to need some serious rewriting.
 
Yep, that's it. Work it and work it again, until it's as perfect as it can be.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Thread starter Similar threads Forum Replies Date
Astro Pen How they pilot drones for those ads and any Drone stuff you have Technology 1
ctg 2.07 Star Trek: Strange New Worlds - Those Old Scientists Strange New Worlds (SNW) 12
Snicklefritz Take off the gloves when handling those rare books Book Discussion 7
D So, what is the self publishing experience been like for those that have gone that route? Publishing 29
D Would space colonies see us develop new ethnicities and physical/mental adaptions to those places? Science & Nature 53

Similar threads


Back
Top