Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re revisiting a controversial topic: prologues. Are they essential world-building tools or unnecessary speed bumps in your story? In this episode, I dive into the nuances of prologues through the lens of a detailed critique, offering a step-by-step breakdown of one writer’s attempt.

We’ll revisit the big questions from our first prologue episode, like why some authors get away with them while others don’t, and dig into fresh insights about tone, stakes, turning points, and pacing. Plus, I’ll share practical tips for making your prologue (or any scene) more engaging, cohesive, and impactful.

Email your own advice prompt to [email protected] or join our Discord and let us know what's on your mind. You can find the discussion prompt we referenced on the show right here.

Fantasy Writing for Barbarians‘ host is Jon Negroni, author of The Pixar Theory, Killerjoy, and more. Our producers are Natalia Emmons and Bridget Serdock. You can find all our episodes and various podcast app options here.

Intro music: "Adventures in Adventureland" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
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