L.S. Engler

ROW80 Check-In: July 17.

L.S. Engler

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THE PROLOGUE IS FINISHED. I repeat: THE PROLOGUE IS FINISHED!

Granted, at this point, I expected on having the prologue plus four chapters finished, but that’s okay. It’s just a slow start and this prologue has been a notorious focus point for this novel, wasting way too much of my time. I’ve gotten chapter one going, and I’m completely rewriting it from the original, but I love the direction the new one is going. It’s far more serious and sets a better tone for the novel, and it better shows how absolutely miserable and bratty Locke can be. My main goal with these first chapters is not only to establish the characters, which I had no problem with in the first draft, but to establish the world more as well, which I needed to do lots more in version one! Naturally, I want the reader to be there in Kassir themselves, to feel the heat and the humidity of Redsaea, the dryness of the Great Desert, smell the lushness of the jungles.

I think the changes to the prologue also helped establish the magic of the world a little bit better, too, by automatically introducing it. I’m still a little weary about the fact that it turned into a very typical prologue: fighting to escape the bad guys, bad guys catch up, heroine suddenly and mysteriously disappears, but I guess if it works…? Part of me wonders if the prologue is even necessary, but, without it, we don’t get Auferrix’s perspective into well into the book, and that’s too late.

See what I mean? Too much focus on that bloody prologue. And so allow me to stop rambling and get writing!

10 responses to “ROW80 Check-In: July 17.”

  1. Gene Lempp Avatar
    Gene Lempp

    Nice job on finishing your prologue. Orson Scott Card says that he has never read a prologue that had any real value. I’m not sure I agree with that but I do think that it has to be focused on the needs of the story.

    One thing to consider: Can the information in your prologue be shown through the actions of the character, subtly referenced and built into the primary work? This can act to build suspense and lead the reader to a place where the “prologue” events become relevant and can be revealed.

    Just a thought. Keep up the great work!

    Reply
    1. L.S. Engler Avatar
      L.S. Engler

      I’ve come across that quote by Card as well, and, like you, I’m not sure I agree with it either. But mostly because I can’t imagine anything written having no real value.

      I’ve struggled with this prologue for the longest time. Part of me does wonder if it’s superfluous, and it may be, but I just have no other way of bringing in this character any time sooner without jumbling up a bunch of things and ruining the pace of the rest of the story. And so it shall stay, especially since I think it helps add to the suspense a little, too! You’re introduced to a situation and then get whisked elsewhere and get the suspense of how they end up connecting (I hope!).

      Reply
  2. Em Avatar
    Em

    Hooray for the finished prologue! You persisted and you did it so well done! I am thinking about a longer piece at the moment and the world and characters are where I need to focus too.

    Have a great week!

    Reply
    1. L.S. Engler Avatar
      L.S. Engler

      Building the world and the characters are two of the best parts of longer pieces! It’s when you sit down and write it that it gets challenging. I hope it goes well for you!

      Reply
  3. Shari Avatar
    Shari

    goodness! i love reading posts from people who actually Plan things. I’ll have to try it someday myself!

    It’s great you cleared a difficult hurdle and can carry on in the story. I’ve had some blocks that stalled me cold (imagine that – writers block from Not Knowing What Happens Next?!) and it’s not a great feeling. Therefore, your next week, prologue free, should be Lots of Fun!

    Reply
    1. L.S. Engler Avatar
      L.S. Engler

      Heeee, I try to Plan Things, at any rate. I don’t know how well it turns out, usually, but the thought is there!

      The interesting thing with this one is that it’s a rewrite; for the most part, I do know what’s coming, but stories can still surprise you in that respect. And that is why we rewrite, I guess. 🙂

      Reply
  4. Tiffany A White Avatar
    Tiffany A White

    Writing a prologue is difficult – don’t be so hard on yourself! Prologues can make or break a fantasy novel – spend as much time as necessary getting the words just right. Best of luck with your chapters! I look forward to checking back on your progress.

    Reply
    1. L.S. Engler Avatar
      L.S. Engler

      It’s funny, how a prologue seems so much more crucial to a fantasy novel more than anything else, isn’t it? Yet it is so true. It will completely set your impression of everything else to follow…. That’s not intimidating at all! Heh.

      And thank you! Hopefully, I’ll have plenty of progress for you to check back on. ; )

      Reply
  5. Lisey Stardust Avatar
    Lisey Stardust

    You might find that you want to take the prologue out later, but even in that scenario I think you would find that you had to write the prologue in order to write a lot of other stuff. Such is the way with writing, sometimes. And I think that prologues are often awesome additions. Congratulations on your achievement! 😀

    Reply
    1. L.S. Engler Avatar
      L.S. Engler

      Hee, thank you! And good to find a prologue appreciator; too many people seem to not really care for them, but I think they can do a lot to establish a mood of a novel.

      And that is the great thing about the writing and rewriting process; you can always change what doesn’t work. Go editing!

      Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply

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