Think of it as handing readers a lens through which they'll view the entire story, one that

makes the world feel immediate and tangible. Now, if you want to write this kind of prolog,

avoid mistaking tone setting for an info dump. Show your world's nature through specific

vivid scenes and interactions. Every word choice, image, and piece of dialogue should reinforce

the tone and the stakes.

Readers should finish this prologue not just understanding your world, but feeling it in their bones too.

Welcome to the Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast. My name is Savannah Gilbo, and I'm here to help you write a story that works.

I want to prove to you that writing a novel doesn't have to be overwhelming.

So each week, I'll bring you a brand new episode with simple, actionable, and step-by-step

strategies that you can implement in your writing right away.

So whether you're brand new to writing or more of a seasoned author looking to improve your craft,

this podcast is for you.

So pick up a pen and let's get started.

In today's episode, we're going to talk about prologs, specifically how to write one that

works and whether you even need one in the first place. Now, this is a little bit of a

controversial topic. You've probably heard the warnings, some literary agents advise cutting them, many readers

flip right past them, and writing communities are full of advice that says, skip the prologue

and just start with chapter one instead.

And yet, some of the most beloved novels out there start with a prologue, which leaves

writers stuck in the middle. Should you listen to the advice and with a prologue, which leaves writers stuck in the middle.

Should you listen to the advice and cut the prolog? Or follow the lead of best-selling authors

and include a prologue. Well, that's exactly what we're going to unpack today. By the end of

...