Hi fellow readers and writers!
Today, I thought I would share some of my writing with you. (I’m genuinely having palpitations right now.)
As I’m almost finished with my first draft-seriously, THE END is so close I can hardly breathe-I thought it would be fun to let you read my prologue.
I know, I know, prologues are a controversial topic. I’ve even read that some agents and publishers won’t even read a submission if it includes a prologue (I’m hoping this is just an exaggeration, if only because they would miss out on so many amazing novels.)
Some of the most famous and popular books by some of the world’s best authors have prologues. Several of the Harry Potter books have prologues, and if it’s good enough for JK it’s good enough for me.
From what I’ve read, there seem to be a few accepted rules for prologues, for example where there is a large time gap between the prologue and chapter one, and the information from the past is important to the story.
That’s the kind of prologue I have written for The Fair Queen.
OK. Let’s bite the bullet. Here’s my prologue (if you want to check out a brief synopsis for my novel first then here you go):
PROLOGUE
The harsh, fluorescent lights blinked audibly overhead as he slipped unseen into the hospital room. Row upon row of cots stood before him, occupied by pink mewling creatures, the air thick with the heady scent of new life.
The tightly wrapped bundle in his arms squirmed, and a face peered up at him from deep within the folds. He looked down at the child, his heart breaking inside his chest.
This was the only way.
The only way to keep his new born daughter safe. The only way to protect his people and ensure the future of his kingdom.
Footsteps in the corridor brought him out of his reverie and he tore his eyes away from the face of his child, scanning the cots until his eyes fell on a bundle wrapped in a pink blanket.
Holding his precious cargo in the crook of one arm, he lifted the small human out of the cot with his other hand. He carefully removed the hospital-issue cellular blanket, wrapping it lovingly around his own daughter before placing her in the empty cot.
He bowed to bestow one last kiss on her forehead, and watched as the shimmering lights in her bronze eyes faded, leaving them an unremarkable shade of brown.
“Be safe,” he whispered, “I’ll be watching over you, my child.”
Another sound in the corridor made him take a step back, thrusting the spare human child inside his cloak and stepping behind the door just as it opened and a plump woman in nurse’s scrubs bustled in. She cooed as she picked up the King’s daughter from the cot, chattering about feeding time.
With one last look over his shoulder, the King slipped soundlessly from the room.
What did you think? Leave me your thoughts and suggestions in the comments, I’d love to hear what you liked and disliked.
Do you love or hate prologues in books? Are you one of those readers who (heaven forbid) skips the prologue? Let me know!
Lyndsey
x
Lyndsey Hall | Author 