Mastering the Art of the Prologue, Epilogue, and Interlude
You cannot become a published author overnight. Becoming an author starts with the writing process. Ideally, this yields a creatively satisfying manuscript that has appeal to the general public. Every book is different, whether in genre, length, format, target audience, etc. When it comes to writing your book, you will always want to understand the elements of a successful story.
A majority of your manuscript will contain the main substance of your story, especially when telling fictional stories. Most traditional narratives will have a three-act structure: beginning, middle, and end. This will track the book’s actions from start to finish, covering your characters’ arcs.
However, sometimes there are creative reasons to deviate from the standard structure. These structural deviations can come in the form of prologues, epilogues, and interludes.
What Is a Prologue?
A prologue is a section of a book that comes before the main action. In some ways, it is an introduction to the beginning of your main story. This can come as teasing a character or plot development, setting up the book’s style, or anything else. The main goal of a prologue is to get the reader excited and intrigued for what comes next.
The most crucial thing to consider is that a prologue should be separate from the beginning of your story proper. For example, instead of jumping right into your protagonist’s story, you can follow a secondary character. This could set the scene for a future plot development or capture the reader’s attention.
When to Use a Prologue
There is not a universal rule for when to use a prologue. It is up to the author’s discretion if and when to include a prologue to their book. Either way, prologues should always benefit the overall narrative of the book.
Authors may consider several factors when deciding whether to include a prologue. These include the tone of the story, whether the book’s world needs establishing, and whether the plot’s action starts slow. Action-packed or fast-paced stories might benefit from throwing the reader into the action before the protagonist is fully integrated. The main text of your book should work to build its characters’ motivations, plotlines, and interpersonal dynamics. Prologues can help you do just that.
What Is an Epilogue?
An epilogue of a book is a section at the end that follows the conclusion of the main story. The idea is similar to that of an epilogue, but it closes the story instead of opening it. Epilogues can provide emotional resolution, look into the future, or set up sequels. These are often short and provide a satisfying note for the reader to end their reading experience.
As with a prologue, epilogues are separate from the main story. They should exist separately but in conjunction with the rest of the story. The primary three-act structure of the story should be resolved; this is just the final note to end on.
When to Use an Epilogue
Choosing to write an epilogue for a story is completely up to the author’s discretion. If the story’s ending is definitive enough without any loose threads, an epilogue may not be necessary. Prologues and epilogues can exist separate from one another. Just because you write one does not mean you have to include the other.
There are several factors to consider when weighing adding an epilogue. Mainly, these include whether there are any lingering threads and the ending status of the characters. By the end of the third act of your narrative, all loose ends might be wrapped. If so, there might not be a need for an epilogue. However, your epilogue can open new threads and set up a future story. You can use an epilogue for whatever suits your literary journey.
What Is an Interlude?
Instead of being a separate text at the beginning or end of a story, an interlude happens during it. This means that it is a break from the main action of the story. Interludes are less common than prologues and epilogues, but can elevate the text to a new level. It is completely up to the author’s discretion what they want their interludes to look like.
When to Use an Interlude?
Every author and story can use interludes differently. They can carry thematic relevance, tell stories of small side characters, or provide context for the larger story. Often, an author will want to consider where they place their interlude or interludes. It can be a powerful tool to balance the story’s action or themes in a highly creative way.
