Must We Say Goodbye To The Prologue?

Have you heard the news? The Prologue is out, kaput, persona non grata!

I sat in the writers workshop when we first heard the news. Some were quick to declare that our dear friend had out stayed his welcome and it was about time we shut the door on a chapter wannabe. But as I looked around the room, I saw many a talented writer take their latest project in hand as they ran their fingers over the familiar first words that set the scene for that new novel. With a wistful look in their eyes, perhaps even a bit of shame at having employed such an antiquated method, they carefully slid the pages back into their folders.

I know I did.

It almost felt like I was saying goodbye to an old and loyal friend. One that had always been there for me through thick and thin, one that I could trust to sit by the fire on cold nights and reminisce about the old days over a cup of cocoa.

Did I owe any allegiance to such a thing as The Prologue? Should I stand up and make a case for his continued support through all the hard times?

I looked down at my newest novel on the table, just off the press. With a smile, I knew I could not stick a whole book inside a folder.

It took a bit of courage, but I opened the cover and fondly looked at the first few pages. There he was, my dear companion The Prologue, gladly giving my readers the information they needed to understand my characters.

It might have been my imagination, but he didnt seem a bit ashamed to be there, either.
I actually sat for a moment and asked myself what defined the term for art. Surely a blank page just waiting for words was equal to a canvas prepared to display the expressive colors of the Artist. Does a painter toss aside a brush or a color he might want to use because his work might not fit in with the rest of kids on the playground?

I gave one last glance around the room at all the wonderful, talented writers I was fortunate enough to be with that day. I secretly hoped that each one would take their canvas and lay down their words in a fashion true to their heart.

I knew I would.

I bravely removed the pages of my new work from the folder in which they were hidden, and prepared myself to do whatever I felt was right for me.

Kimberly Adkins
--Author, The Medallion of Solaus
http://www.kimberlyadkins.com