Can my books prologue be a poem?
I'm starting a novel and my prologue in the beginning is a poem. I feel like this may be a bad idea. has anyone else ever done it? is it a bad thing to have a poem at the beginning of a book serving as the prologue?
I'm starting a novel and my prologue in the beginning is a poem. I feel like this may be a bad idea. has anyone else ever done it? is it a bad thing to have a poem at the beginning of a book serving as the prologue?
Comments
This actually sounds pretty good-
But, like others have said, I wouldn't call it a prologue.
I know of plenty of books that start with a poem, or a quote, usually very short.
I'd try not to make it too long, as people who aren't into poetry (like me) will probably skip it, and if it's important to the story, it needs to be read.
If its a prophecy, maybe work it in later in the story- if it means your readers will know the entire outcome of the book because its in a prophecy, giving it to them right at the beginning is a bad idea, unless its very cryptic (which would again be hard to pull off without the reader thinking 'what the hell is she going on about' and skipping).
Revealing the prophecy much later in the book (as late as you can make it work) adds mystery and allows a reader to root for the character, because they don't already know what's going to happen.
Even just mentioning a prophecy at first and then having the actual thing being discovered at the end, after everything has been solved, could work.
I think it would be a really good idea, as long as it only hints at, or ties in with, the story, instead of telling it.
There's only one thing a book has to be--interesting enough to keep getting readers to turn the page. I wouldn't read a book of poetry. I'm not much for prologues, especially from writers who haven't learned how to write a book before deciding to write it. (Most new writers only include prologues because they've read prologues and have no idea why a prologue is used and when.)
If you think you can get people interested in poetry as a story idea, go for it.
You can use it, either as a prologue, or just to set up the book. Me, I'd put it at the beginning of the book without it being a prologue. Prologues aren't highly recommended to start a book anyway. Agents are getting sick of them because too many writers add them. They're overdone.
It can be whatever you want it to be. Its your book.
When you get it published, your editor may advise not to include that but you can go against the advice.
I think I've read a book like that:) go for it! Good luck!
You can do whatever you want. It's your story. If you want it there, do what you can to make sure it serves the purpose you want it to.