VILLAINS AND TREACHERY--BEWARE THE IDES OF MARCH!--by Cheryl Pierson #blogabookscene #prairierosepub

Oh, how I love a good villain! Whether I’m reading about one or watching him/her on film, or best of all—WRITING ONE!

What makes a good villain? Well, in my opinion, first and foremost he can’t be one-dimensional. I know in our “real world” there are those people that seem to be evil just for the sake of it and some of them probably are. But in our reading/writing, we want to know WHY. What made this person turn out like he did—a diabolical, cunning, demonic person that will stop at nothing to accomplish what he’s set out to do?

This leads to the question, is there anything at all that would stop him from carrying out his evil plans? Would a memory stop him, or trigger him? Would any one person be able to reason with him? Would a “new plan” divert him from carrying out the blueprint for disaster for the hero/heroine that he’s already come up with?
But there are other things that have to be reckoned with. Those things that might have happened to him in his past to create and mold him into the kind of person who would be so bold and determined to use anything—no matter how it hurts others—to his own advantage are important. But what are the factors that drive him presently? A circumstance of opportunity? A long-seated need for revenge and the path to that revenge being presented? Greed? Burning jealousy? Maybe even the death of a loved one that he may not have wanted to embarrass by his actions while they were still living—now that they’re gone, all bets are off!

THE DEVIL AND MISS JULIA JACKSON has the heroine caught between a distant relative who throws her and her niece out of their home and the job as nursemaid she takes in Indian Territory, working for a man who is, at first, cold and unresponsive. The villain in this story shifts between the man who threw Julia out of her home to someone else who means to destroy her employer.



I’ve had so many villains I’ve created in my writing that were motivated by different things. My first one, Andrew Fallon, appeared in FIRE EYES. He was just pure evil. He didn’t care about anything or anyone—even his family, as his brother found out when he came looking for him.

In TIME PLAINS DRIFTER, the villain is paranormal—a demon who can shape-shift. How in the world will the innocents he’s after survive? They have a reluctant angel or two on their side, but the demon is powerful. Can they overcome his strength?

In my first contemporary romantic suspense, SWEET DANGER, Tabor Hardin has his revenge handed to him on a silver platter, being in the right place at the right time to turn the tables on the undercover cop who put him in jail—before his escape. He’s a man with nothing to lose at this point, and Jesse Nightwalker, the cop, has a new life hovering on the horizon—if he can survive.



Greed comes in to play in BEYOND THE FIRE, when undercover DEA agent Jackson Taylor’s cover is blown and a drug lord comes after him, trying to use Jack’s undercover partner against him. But there is a secret that even Jack hasn’t known about his partner—and the woman he’s falling in love with. Is it enough to defeat the powerful drug cartel and keep Jackson, Kendi, and his partner safe?

Treachery comes in all forms and it’s most often quite a surprise. No matter how vigilant our heroes are, they come up against some very foreboding, sharp cunning from the villains—after all, they have to have a worthy opponent, right?

Speaking of worthy opponents, I’ll talk a little about my contemporary romantic suspense CAPTURE THE NIGHT—where the villain, Kieran McShane, runs his own rogue faction of the Irish Republican Army and plans to murder Great Britain’s Prime Minister while he’s on vacation in Dallas. Johnny Logan is an undercover Dallas cop, staying in the hotel as added protection for the prime minister; Alexa Bailey is treating herself to a one-year divorce anniversary vacation. When McShane takes over the entire hotel, it’s only a matter of time before he discovers them up on the roof in the maintenance housing—and collateral damage means nothing to him. With the hostages brought to the roof, McShane threatens to begin throwing them over one by one—unless his demands are met. Can Johnny and Alexa survive the whims of a madman, bent on political revenge?


One of my favorite recent stories is SABRINA, one of four novels that appears in the boxed set MAIL ORDER BRIDES FOR SALE: THE REMINGTON SISTERS. Four sisters are at the mercy of their stepfather who plans to sell them to the highest bidder now that their mother is dead. But these girls have other plans. Can they manage to get away? Will they be able to keep themselves safe from Josiah Bloodworth no matter how far away they go? This is a very fun set of four full length novels, each sister’s story penned by a different author. Livia Washburn Reasoner—Lizzy; Jacquie Rogers—Belle; Celia Yeary—Lola; and Cheryl Pierson—Sabrina.

Here's an excerpt of Sabrina facing down the villain, her stepfather, in the dressmaker's shop. Cam is listening to it all from the back, waiting for his chance to save her, his sister, and the proprietor of the shop. Here's what happens:

“So you see, dear Sabrina, you have no true choice about what you do—and neither do your sisters.” Bloodworth spread his hands as he spoke. “You will, indeed, come home to Pennsylvania from this godforsaken place and do exactly as you are told. You will marry a man—a proper gentleman—of my choosing.” He took a step closer to her.

She faced him unflinchingly, her head held high. “I will no more return to Philadelphia with you than fly to the moon. You would do well to carry your pompous, maggot-ridden self away from here and get as far east as you can go posthaste—before my husband returns for us—and sends you straight to hell.” She spoke as regally as a queen to the lowliest dregs of society, without a trace of fear.

A thin smile touched Bloodworth’s lips, but the calm iciness in his pale eyes was what put Cam on alert. This man was determined, and he believed no one could stop him.

His muscle-bound cohort stood near the door, keeping watch so that Bloodworth didn’t need to worry about any distractions—from the two other women, or from any of the townspeople.

“My dear Sabrina, you are most definitely going to do exactly as I tell you. Or else.”

“Else what? You’ll drag me back by my hair like the brute that you truly are?”

Bloodworth chuckled. “Well, well. Our little Sabrina has come into her own, hasn’t she?” He stroked his chin. “Actually, I don’t believe I shall have to drag you back. I think you most likely will do anything I say once I lay my hands on that half-breed husband of yours…even if I tell you to climb up on this counter and spread your legs like the whore you are…just like your mother was—”

The slap Sabrina gave Bloodworth echoed through the room, and brought a spot of blood to the corner of his mouth. Unruffled, he took out his handkerchief and dabbed at it.

“I’m going to kill your husband, Sabrina Rose. It will be a long…slow…and very, very painful death. And you will have only yourself to blame."


So many wonderful reasons for becoming a villain! The motivations are just endless, aren’t they? It’s a fine line to walk, making them evil, yet sympathetic in some instances, and letting our readers see a glimpse of their humanity—if they have any left.

Do you have a favorite villain you’ve written or read? What about your favorite film villain?

PRAIRIE ROSE PUBLICATIONS WEBSITE: https://www.prairierosepublications.com

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/cheryl.pierson.92

CHERYL'S AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE:https://www.amazon.com/Cheryl-Pierson/e/B002JV8GUE/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1520475061&sr=8-2-ent

Do we need to 'Beware the ides of March'? by Kaye Spencer #IdesofMarch #PrairieRosePubs

Beware the ides of March—a phrase of dire warning. A phrase that conjures images of danger, destruction, and death. Where did this dark association with the 15th of March originate?

As with many phrases we use today, we have William Shakespeare to thank. While historically, we know Julius Caesar was assassinated on March 15, 44 BCE as a result of a conspiracy by a group of Roman senators, it was Shakespeare who immortalized this particular phrase in his play Julius Caesar, Act 1, Scene 2:

CAESAR:
Who calls?

CASCA:
Bid every noise be still. Peace yet again.
                                 Music ceases.
CAESAR:
Who is in the press that calls on me?
I hear a tongue, shriller than all the music,
Cry "Caesar!"--Speak. Caesar is turned to hear

SOOTHSAYER:
Beware the ides of March.

CAESAR:
Set him before me. Let me see his face.

CASSIUS:
Fellow, come from the throng. Look upon Caesar.
                                SOOTHSAYER approaches
CAESAR:
What sayst thou to me now? Speak once again.

SOOTHSAYER:
Beware the ides of March.

CAESAR:
He is a dreamer. Let us leave him. Pass!

Kaye's Translation:

SOOTHSAYER: Yells out from the crowd
Hey, Caesar! Watch out when you go out and about on March 15th. I see a bad moon rising, and it's got your name on it.

CAESAR: responds when the Soothsayer is brought before him
You're just a crazy old man. I can't be bothered with this hocus-pocus nonsense. Get out of my way. I've got places to go, things to do, and peoples to conquer. Come on, guys. Let's blow this popsicle stand.

Obviously, Caesar should have listened...

But, poor, poor maligned March 15th.

There isn't anything inherently worrisome, sinister, or foreboding about this date. In fact, every month has an "ides". It's simply the 15th of the month. The word 'ides' is a derivative of the Latin verb iduare/idus*, which means 'to divide". The ides denoted the Roman method of signifying the day in the middle of the month**. More specifically, the ides related directed to the way lunar phases were calculated at the time. The full moon in any given month typically fell between the 13th and the 15th. Before Caesar was in charge of... well, just about everything... and he changed the calendar, the ides of March was the date of the new year and a time for celebration.

If you're wondering what historic events occurred on March 15th that weren't as gruesome as Julius Caesar's assassination, here is a short list:

1820 - Maine was admitted as the 23rd state of the Union

1865 - U. S. President Abraham Lincoln delivered his Second Inaugural Address

1892 - Jesse W. Reno patented the Reno Inclined Elevator -- 1st escalator

1907 - Finland was the first European country to give women the right to vote

1916 - U.S. President Woodrow Wilson sent American soldiers into Mexico with intent to capture Pancho Villa

1927 - Birthday: Carl Smith (country music artist)

1935 - Birthday: actor Judd Hirsch

1937 - In Chicago, Illinois, the first blood bank to preserve blood for transfusion by refrigeration was established at the Cook County Hospital

1945 - 'Billboard' magazine began listing top albums - the first No. 1 was "The Nat King Cole Trio"

1945 - 17th Academy Awards: Bing Crosby (Going My Way), Ingrid Bergman (Gaslight), Movie: "Going My Way", Song: Swinging on a Star (Going My Way)

1948 - Sir Laurence Olivier was on the cover of "LIFE" magazine for his starring role in Shakespeare’s "Hamlet"

1954 - Television premiere of the CBS Morning Show with Walter Cronkite and Jack Paar

1956 - The musical "My Fair Lady" opened on Broadway - Julie Andrews and Rex Harrison

1961 - Birthday: Fabio

1963 - Birthday: Bret Michaels (musician - Poison rock group)

1964 - In Montreal, Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor were married

1972 - Second day of 2-day movie premiere of 'The Godfather' in New York City

1977 - The first episode of "Eight is Enough" aired on television


Until next time,


Kaye Spencer
Writing through history one romance upon a time

Website/Blog- https://www.kayespencer.com
Instagram - kayespencer
Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/kayespencer
Pinterest - http://www.pinterest.com/kayespencer
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/kayespencer23
Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/author/kayespencer
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayespence
Prairie Rose Publications - http://prairierosepublications.com/
YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/c/kayespencer0203

References:

*Pancho Villa:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pancho_Villa
Doroteo Arango Arámbula (June 5, 1878 – July 23, 1923), better known as Francisco or "Pancho" Villa, a Mexican Revolutionary general. This work is from the National Photo Company collection at the Library of Congress. According to the library, there are no known copyright restrictions on the use of this work.
*Sir Laurence Olivier - Pinterest
*Movie Posters: Going My Way and The Godfather - Wikipedia

J*ulius Caesar dialogue - 'No Fear Shakespeare' http://nfs.sparknotes.com/juliuscaesar/page_10.html)
*http://www.history.com/news/beware-the-ides-of-march-but-why
**https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/talkingtech/2017/03/15/ides-of-march-beware-the-ides-of-march-julius-caesar/99201650/

Creativity (An 8-Part Series): Part III - Shape-Shifting

By Kristy McCaffrey

Don't miss

Part I  - Imagination

Part II - Domestication vs. Wildness

While shape-shifting is often associated with evil and deception, it can be thought of most easily as a way to incorporate the qualities and sensory perceptions of a particular animal. Shape-shifting allows the navigation through different levels of consciousness, both awake and dreaming, and along the astral plane.

In the iconic King Arthur story "The Sword in the Stone" by T. H. White, the wizard Merlin transforms young Arthur into many different animals to aid the boy in learning how to be king. When Arthur finally pulls the sword from the stone, the animal kingdom relays many mystical messages, giving him strength and courage to grow into the man he needs to be.

In shamanic realms, one must master energy to become a shape-shifter, and thereby learn to shift situations.

Shape-shifting goes hand-in-hand with totem animals. In many cultures, association with an animal is a means of navigating the world—Coyote energy is mischievous, Raven energy is cunning and otherworldly, Rabbit energy is quick and alert. If one has an affinity for a certain creature, why not imagine what it would be like to be that animal? What might this teach you?

Wilderness is not a luxury, but a necessity of the human spirit.

~ Author Edward Abbey

Each animal has its own gifts, which are accessible to us. Bear teaches us to set clear boundaries and balance activities with periods of rest. Butterfly embodies transformation from one state to the next. Whale calls to deep creativity and the ability to sing your intention into the landscape.

Shifting focus has long been an avenue to unlock creativity. While running along the terrain as a bobcat, what wondrous things will you see?

Lots of people talk to animals. Not very many listen, though. That's the problem. ~ Benjamin Hoff

Works Cited

Billington, Penny. The Path of Druidry: Walking the Ancient Green Way. Llwellyn Publications, 2011.

Carson, David. Find Your Spirit Animals. Watkins Publishing, 2011.

Farmer Ph.D, Steven D. Animal Spirit Guides. Hay House, Inc., 2006.

Myss, Carolyn. Sacred Contracts: Awakening Your Divine Potential. Harmony Books, 2001.

Don’t miss Part IV in the Creativity series: Forbearance

Until next time…

 Connect with Kristy

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Blog | Newsletter

March--in like a Lion, out like a Lamb

Blog-a-Book-Scene is a monthly themed blogging endeavor from a group of authors who love to share excerpts from their stories. Find us on Twitter with the hashtag #blogabookscene and #PrairieRosePub.

Ah, March…  “Comes in like a Lion, goes out like a Lamb”

Sitting here, thinking about a March blog and listening to the early March wind howl outside, that saying came to mind. I grew up with it—it was repeated every time a thunderstorm fired up in early March. But I have no idea where it comes from. And after researching it—I’m still not sure.

According to the Paris Review blog, one of the earliest citations is from Thomas Fuller in a 1732 compendium, Gnomologia: Adagies and Proverbs; Wise Sentences and Witty Sayings, Ancient and Modern, Foreign and British. Fuller's wording is as I listed at the top of this blog.

Another possible reference seems to be the stars. March begins under Leo, the lion, and goes out under Aries, the ram—although a lamb and a ram aren’t quite the same thing.

Regardless, if you grew up and/or live in tornado alley like me, when the wind blows strong and the storms pop up, the adage will come up more than once this month.

In a nod to spring—may it please arrive soon!—here’s an excerpt from one of my short stories.

From NO LESS THAN FOREVER, A River’s Bend Duo:

Love always finds a way…

Doctor Franz Bittner is satisfied with his life as it is. He has a good practice in a place where he is respected, in spite of his German birth. He has good friends and enough income to provide him with a few comforts. A wife would only complicate things. Then a tiny blond stranger is pulled from the river and everything changes. With one smile she captures his attention—and steals his heart.

Rebekah Snow Redmann barely survived her abusive husband’s attack. Though she was given to him to pay her father’s debts, she’d rather die than go back. Then she ends up in the care of the handsome local doctor and he stitches up more than her wounds—he mends her soul. With him, she discovers everything that she believes she can never have...a love that will last forever.

“This is the first time our little town has attempted such a thing. The Spring Dance was envisioned by Martha and her friend, Mary Hawken, and they’ve worked very hard on it. Would you like to attend this evening?”

Rebekah stared up at Franz from her spot on the blue damask settee. “I don’t think I’m strong enough to dance.”

“You don’t have to do anything more than sit and watch. I should attend, in support of my sister, but I will stay here with you, if that is what you wish.”

“No, you mustn’t disappoint Martha. She’s been so kind to me. You both have.”

When Franz’s gaze heated, she looked away. She may not know much, but she recognized his desire. She felt the same for him and it made her physically ill to know nothing could come of it.

“Little one, we don’t have to go. I will simply ask someone to come and stay with us while Martha is gone.”

“A chaperone?” Rebekah laughed. “That’s hardly necessary, given the circumstances.” When he remained silent, she tried to explain. “If I’m married, you’re safe. And the people here know you would never take advantage of me.”

“But do you know that?” He crossed the room to sit beside her. “Do you believe you are safe alone here with me?”

“Yes.” Though that wasn’t entirely true. She trusted him—but not herself.

“That is good.” Franz patted her hand and rose. “Then we will attend the dance for Martha. We will stay only a little while, and when you are ready, we will come home.”

She nodded her agreement and he left, mumbling something about pressing a suit. He’d barely disappeared from sight when the front door opened and Martha breezed in, bringing a waft of cool, damp spring air into the room.

Fear that her presence in Martha’s parlor would upset the woman ripped through her. “Franz said it was all right if I sat in here for a while. The sun felt so good and I sat right where he showed me. I didn’t touch anything else, I swear.” Her words trailed off when Martha only stared at her in silence before reminding her that she was welcome in this beautiful home. Martha went so far as to give her permission to rearrange the room to suit herself. “I don’t think I’ll find it necessary to move everything.”

“That is good to hear. Are you up to eating a bite of supper? Then I have to get dressed for the Spring Dance.”

“I’ve invited Rebekah to go with us.” Franz leaned against the doorframe, smiling gently at his patient.

Rebekah couldn’t believe she was actually blushing as Franz smiled at her. When Martha enthusiastically supported her brother, she knew she was attending the dance. “I have nothing to wear.”

Martha suggested Mary Hawken might have a dress that would fit and Franz immediately offered to go and ask, shocking both women. But the thought of wearing something that hadn’t been provided by her husband held incredible allure.

Martha’s voice brought her attention back. “We’ll eat and dress before Matthew arrives.”

“Sheriff Tate?” Rebekah couldn’t stop the wave of terror that swept her. She avoided lawmen. The scars on her back were from the one time she’d tried to involve the law to gain her freedom.

Martha’s reassurance helped, though her fear was too deep-seated to be removed by a few words. But, she would never disappoint Martha or Franz. If going to the dance meant being in the company of Sheriff Tate, she would manage somehow.

Book Review: Addie and the Gunslinger

Blurb:

Ex-gunslinger Jude Morgan lands in jail in a far-flung West Texas town. On the fourth day, the sheriff ushers in a beautiful woman dressed in men’s pants and toting her own six-shooter. Adriana Jones claims he is her worthless husband who married her, but never came home.

The young woman makes a bargain with Jude in front of the sheriff. Jude is to come home where he belongs, and she will have him released. Once they’re alone, she explains his job is to pose as her husband to thwart the marriage advances of her neighbor, wealthy rancher Horace Caruthers. The older man wants her ranch to join with his; the Pecos River runs through her property.

To seal the bargain, Jude wants a kiss. During the next few weeks, however, Jude and Addie learn that the kiss meant more than they intended. Then, when Addie's life is in danger, will Jude rescue his Addie? Or will Addie save herself and her gunslinger?

My Review:

Ooooohhh!!! Jude (swoon -- love that name!!) and Addie deliver an adorable little tale of a man looking for something different out of life and a woman who needs a man to help save her home. Love how they meet and watching the initial sparks flare and grow into something more.

There were a couple of surprising twists to go with the drama, making this quick sweet story lighthearted with just enough excitement to keep your attention.

Purchase link:

Lookin' for a mail order bride?

One of my favorite historical western romance themes is mail order brides. The vulnerability, uncertainty, determination, and maybe even desperation from the bride and/or groom to embark on such a journey speaks to something deep in me. Just trying to put myself in their shoes and live that adventure with them can be quite the emotional experience. Lots of trust and blind faith, even despite whatever was posted in advertisements or shared via letters.

When I heard about the Remington sisters anthology -- I jumped on reading it! I mean, four inter-connected stories about sisters saving themselves from a ruthless step-father by becoming mail order brides and choosing to have faith in the unknown rather than what their step-father has planned for them? Sign me up!

Here's a little taste of what you'll experience with each sister.

Lizzy: By Livia J. Washburn

“I don’t want the money,” Devery said. His face was flushed a dark red. “I want the wife I bought and paid for!” With that, he reached forward swiftly and closed his right hand around Lizzy’s left wrist. He jerked her toward him and turned to drag her away from the office door. “You can send for your things,” he said over his shoulder. “We’re goin’ home—”

Lizzy opened her mouth to scream for help as fear flooded through her. Before she could make a sound, though, one of the men who’d been drinking at the bar stepped into Devery’s path and said, “I don’t think the lady wants to go with you, mister.”

{some fun stuff happens, and then.....}

He asked, “Are you...all right, miss?”

“Yes, I think so,” Lizzy said. “I appreciate what you did for me, sir. You don’t know how much.”

“It was my pleasure...Miss Remington,” Flint McKinnon said. “I couldn’t let that man drag you off when you’re already promised to someone else.”

Belle: By Jacquie Rogers

“Excuse me, sirs, could you tell me where Mr. Dob Osbourne is?”

The older man propped the younger man against his side. “As a matter of fact, I can. And who might you be?”

“I’m Miss Belle Roberts from Philadelphia, and I have business with him. A contract.”

The younger man raised his gaze to the sky and blinked. “Dob, what the hell have you done?” To Belle, he said. “Miss, I’m sorry but he passed two days ago.”

Her insides turned cold. “Passed? As in…died?”

The older man nodded and the younger one said, “He did. Die. Damn his...”

“But... I have a contract!”

“If you have a contract, Cord, here, will honor it. Won’t you, Cord?”

“Damn right,” the younger man slurred, then slumped and the older fellow grabbed him and pulled him upright. “Contract.”

“Then you’ll marry me?”On the one hand, she needed to get married, and get married now. On the other, she wasn’t all that enamored with committing herself to a drunk.

Sabrina: By Cheryl Pierson

“What do you see when you look at me, Sabrina?”

His question caught her off guard, and she glanced up at him from her plate. But his gaze snared hers, and wouldn’t let her go. “A…a man, of course.” She shook herself, turning her attention back to her food. “Is this a question I should answer in a particular way? A test, perhaps?”

Cam’s lips twisted up faintly.

“A trustworthy man,” Sabrina went on. “Someone who is kind, but…someone who could be quite—deadly, I think. Should the need arise.”

The accuracy of that observation surprised him. “What makes you say that?”

“You wear your gun tied down, and you wear it low. In the dime novels,” she went on, “many times the hero can be as lethal as the villain.”

At that, he did smile. “Which am I, ’Brina? Hero, or villain?”

She cocked her head to one side. “Hmm. Tall. Dark. Handsome. I’d say you’re the…hero.”

He laughed. “You forgot ‘deadly’.”

She sobered. “Are you? Deadly?”

Lola: By Celia Yeary

Jack’s deep, rich voice drew her attention. “If you’re standing while shooting, spread your legs slightly for leverage and to keep balanced. Now, the rifle isn’t loaded so you can learn how to hold it, look down the sight, and pull the trigger. You’ll feel a kick to your shoulder when we fire it. Ready?”

The closeness of him, the clean scent of him, and the feel of his breath against her neck as he stood so near made shivers run up her spine. Her heart pounded… She feared she might swoon.

“Y-Yes, I suppose.” Then, more decisively, she said, “Yes. I’m ready.”

He took the rifle, worked the lever to cock it, and said, “Let’s do this first. I’ll stand behind you and help you position and hold the rifle.”

She nodded. “Whatever you say.”

When his body was flush with hers, he reached around and held the rifle out straight.

“Now, you put your finger on the trigger and I’ll help support your arm and the rifle.” In essence, he was mimicking her body positions and movements.

“Spread your legs just a little, to give you a good balance.” He whispered in her ear, his warm breath causing her own to almost cease. “Steady now, calm down. Ready, aim, fire.” 

~~~~~~~~~~

Want more?  You can get your copy on sale through Saturday March 10th for only 99 cents at Amazon.

Keep visiting so you don't miss my feature reviews on each of the Remington sisters coming soon!

Prologues Kill by Sarah J. McNeal

Prologues Kill Your Story

Prologues used to be popular among writers. It was a swift, clean way to catch the reader up on a back-story—a big flashback, if you will. Well, that was all fine and good back in the day or forgiven if I newbie author committed the sin; and I confess, I have sinned in this regard.

I’ve been working on a book that was my first published novel and has been edited by three publishers. Now it has been contracted with Fire Star Press. Honestly, I have not looked at this story for a number of years so it was quite a shock to discover how many primary rules of writing I broke. I would say I am editing this book, but the truth is I am rewriting it.

The very first mistake I made glared at me at the onset of the story...a big scary prologue. I hesitate to think what readers thought of this prologue. They may have quit reading right then and there. Even worse is the fact that this book is the first in a trilogy. I can’t imagine the reader wanting to read the next two books after the fiasco on the first page of the first book.

We have had it pounded into our brains to start a story in the middle of the action or intrigue, and yet, there it was on my first page—a gigantic, good for nothing, flashback. Ugh! I hung my head in shame for a moment before I deleted the entire prologue. I don’t miss it. The story doesn’t miss it. It served no purpose except to kill a reader’s interest in moving any further into the story.

I read an article that said we shouldn’t even write the word “prologue” at the beginning of a book; it would be better to just write “Chapter 1” and then write in italics “whatever years later” so and so happened that REALLY started the story. The author of the article made the statement that readers are turned off by the word “prologue.” I guess readers just think. Here we go into a boring flashback. Whooptydoo. Maybe that’s what drives some readers to read the ending first just so they can get a sense of what the heck is going on and whether everything is going to turn out okay.

I would go into the negative aspects of epilogues here—another sin I have committed, but I won’t. Sometimes epilogues tie things together at the end without the reader having to speculate if things worked out after all. Honestly, if not for the epilogue in the book “Cold Mountain” by Charles Frazier I would not have learned that any happiness evolved from all the tragedies that took place in the story. Therefore, I will leave epilogues alone.

But I will say that Prologues often kill a reader’s interest before they get to the meat of the story. I must atone for my sin in writing a prologue and make a promise to myself never to do it again.

What some other authors to have to say about prologues:

“Bad Ways To Start A Novel” by Cytolene

No one except the author is really interested in your character’s backstory. The reader wants to see what is happening right now. Whatever backstory is necessary can be woven into the main story.

Prologue. The fuzzy bit at the beginning that doesn’t make sense until you’ve read the whole novel. It’s backstory in disguise. Prologues that start a thousand years in the past will cause the author to burn in hell.

K. M. Weiland

Helping Writers Become Authors by K.M. Weiland

Prologues offer many dangers, a few of which include:

·         Forcing readers to begin the story twice.

·         Grabbing readers with a “fake” hook (which also causes the writer the extra work of then having to come up with two brilliant hooks—one for the prologue and one for the real first chapter).

·         Creating prime real estate for info dumping.

·         Wasting readers’ time with intro material instead of allowing them to get into the real story right away.

·         Forcing readers to accept the author’s hand-holding.

·         Killing subtext.

All of these are all integrally related, but that last is the one I want to zero in on today.

Laura L. Martin

Prologue. (One of the 10 Worst Story Openings by Laura L.Martin)

Maybe I’m the only one, but I always used to just skip prologues and then read them after I was finished with the book. Prologues are just another cheap way of stuffing a bunch of back-story in. However, I know a lot of successful famous books have used prologues, so they’re not always unacceptable, but if you can, work in the information somewhere else—maybe even if you need to have a flashback later on. Readers are put off by prologues that they don’t understand and have visibly little to do with the actual first chapter.

Sarah J. McNeal is a multi-published author who writes diverse stories filled with heart. She is a retired ER and Critical Care nurse who lives in North Carolina with her four-legged children, Lily, the Golden Retriever and Liberty, the cat. Besides her devotion to writing, she also has a great love of music and plays several instruments including violin, bagpipes, guitar and harmonica. Her books and short stories may be found at Prairie Rose Publications and its imprints Painted Pony Books, and Fire Star Press and Sundown Press. She welcomes you to her website and social media:

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