You'll probably wonder why I needed it so badly. The truth is that without it, the story just doesn't feel quite like the one I wanted to write.
(This is for my middle grade: The Seven Tales of Trinket)
A Story Begins
My father was a teller of tales. It runs in the blood I think, for never have I loved anything so much as a story.
Except for my mother, of course.
I loved her well.
Her death was the worst thing I’d ever known. Worse even than when my father left and never came back, for I was so small I scarcely knew him.
But it was my mother’s last breaths that begin this story, for each story must have a beginning. That is the first thing a storyteller must learn.It goes on a bit longer, but you get the idea.
hrh
22 comments:
I love it. But now I want to know more. So many questions! If the goal is to keep us reading, you hit the target! :-)
Ooh, I'm intrigued!
Thanks for sharing :)
I know prologues are out of favor, but I think this works because it is about a storyteller and she (I think it's she) is setting up the tale. I like the feeling of it and am intrigued by her life beginnings.
Well, I'm hooked. I think it's a great prologue!
Tricia took the words right out of my 'keyboard.' It totally works b/c it's about a storyteller. It definitely gets me hooked. And, how perfect a story is this for our very own Story Queen??!?!
Oh the tension and intrigue! I think you might be right about this prologue, though from such a little piece it's hard to tell. I'm excited to see more. Great job!
Shannon-Thank you!
Sarah-Not as intriguing as Italian girdles (I'm sure), but I work with what I've got.
Tricia-Yes, it's a she. Still toying with it a bit, but am glad that it works so far.
Nisa-Thank you!
Kim-Well, I guess the secret is out...Story Queen=Lover of Stories!
Jackee-Glad the tension came through. I thought Trinket needed to share a bit of her inner conflict before she shares her tales.
Oh my goodness ... I got chills ... I want to read more!!!!!
Wow. Definitely intriguing. (And I happen to be a fan of prologues in general)
Thank you for sharing a bit of your prologue. It made me want to read more, and that's what you want at the beginning (whether you have a prologue or not).
I just discovered your blog, and it sounds like you may just have the coolest job EVER. I'll definitely be checking out your books.
I think it's great. I want to read the whole book. :o)
Oooooh. It sounds very epic!
Very nice. Great hook.
That's a beautiful opening, Shelley! I want to read more...
I know I'm no agent, but I think prologues DO have a place in fiction. And I think yours works very well. I've taken prologues out of my fiction since reading that anti-prologue blog, but sometimes I just want a prologue, darn it. And I sure read quite a few in published books, especially in romance.
Ooo I like it, Shelley!
Totally hooked. Very well-written. Thanks for sharing. Please sir (er...m'am), can I have some more?
I haven't had any wine either...that's just lack of sleep talking.
Kelly-Chills? Really? I'm blushing.
Corey-Yea Corey! Power to the prologue!
Myrna-Thanks! And I think I subconsciously got the idea for posting about prologues from reading your similar struggle!! Thanks for the inspiration.
Chutzpah-Thanks for stopping by, come back any time!! (And, yes the job is cool, exhausting but cool.)
Niki-Thank you! (And the rest of the book is even better, at least I think so.)
Carrie-Actually, not incredibly epic in a save-the-world-from-zombies kind of way. It's a softer story, a kind of finding out who you really are inside kind of story.
Susan-Thank you. I never thought of it as a hook before, but I 'spose it is!
Sherri-Thanks! Maybe I'll post more soon...
Steph-See, that's what I'm talking about. I like a good prologue!!
Casey-Thank you!
L and L-Ah yes, sleep deprivation. (I had to spell check deprivation...that's how sleep deprived I am!)
It's simply gorgeous! You have a way with words, my friends. Write on! (I would read on and on.)
I think you're perfectly justified in making this a prologue. And anyway, it's so intriguing, even if an editor says it has to go, it's done its job by pulling them into the story.
Beautiful opening. I would 100% want to keep on reading. Thanks for sharing! :)
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