wordwalker
Auror
We've been through this question before, and I know there are people who "just don't read prologues." But anyway:
What are people's senses for how long a prologue can be before it starts to wear out its welcome? Just a rule of thumb, when the writing isn't outrageously good or bad (and when you haven't read and liked the author before; then all bets are off).
And, what ideas have people seen for what might call for a prologue? There's the obvious Glimpse of the Villain (aka The Monster Eats Someone), the hero's formative or pre-formative moment years ago, and the historian, witness, or manipulator talking about or in the middle of events that are going to affect the action. Or I suppose you could have "nobody's riding *that* dragon!" or "if anyone can draw that sword we're all dead."
What are people's senses for how long a prologue can be before it starts to wear out its welcome? Just a rule of thumb, when the writing isn't outrageously good or bad (and when you haven't read and liked the author before; then all bets are off).
And, what ideas have people seen for what might call for a prologue? There's the obvious Glimpse of the Villain (aka The Monster Eats Someone), the hero's formative or pre-formative moment years ago, and the historian, witness, or manipulator talking about or in the middle of events that are going to affect the action. Or I suppose you could have "nobody's riding *that* dragon!" or "if anyone can draw that sword we're all dead."