 |
| Melinda Viergever Inman |
Prologuing
As authors learning to write powerful and descriptive
fiction, we often make the same mistakes. One is prologuing. As a beginning
writer I thought my readers needed to know the backstory first. If they did, I
expected them to love my characters. But it doesn't work that way.
If you’ve just started writing fiction, you’ll probably be
surprised to learn that prologues rarely get past editors. They’re usually
removed. If you’ve ever taken a foray into the world of the free e-book, you’ll
see why.
As an experiment, I accumulated a couple dozen
freebies—author published, no editor employed. I never finished one. By the
time I came to the end of the lengthy backstory in each (never mind the head
hopping), I no longer cared.
Why do we prologue? It’s basic to human nature. Not only
must we resist it as writers, but also in sharing our personal narratives.
As I get to know you, I share my story. I'm tempted to tint
my backstory a rosy hue, so my choices are softened and rationalized in your
eyes. I want you to like me. I want you to know why I made that mistake. I want
to defend myself. I want to make excuses. And so, I justify my sin through a
self-serving prologue.
Thus, I end up seeking to please others rather than the
Lord. If I’m not careful, I may come to believe my polished-up backstory and
present it to him as fact. Then I’ll never have a real and honest relationship
with my God. That is a dangerous path.
Job was particularly skilled at this. But the Lord said to
him: “Would you discredit my justice? Would you condemn me to justify
yourself?” (Job 40:8).
Truth is, we’re all seriously flawed. None of us is perfect.
God knows it and loves us anyway. He wants our hearts to be truthful with him
and with others.
The world sees only the outside, but God sees our hearts,
thoughts, and motives. Even knowing that, his arms are open wide, and he
forgives. There is no reason to polish up a prologue for him. He was there.
Unnecessary prologuing is a harmful personal habit and a
flawed writing habit. So how does prologuing damage our ability to draw in our
readers?
As the story unfolds, our readers observe our characters’
actions. As they try to understand, they form conclusions. We guide our readers
by sprinkling little bits of necessary backstory into the narrative.
Then it becomes a delicious mystery. They are drawn in. They
must figure out the whys. Now they care. This doesn’t occur if we give them all
the facts upfront. Prologuing is a good way to lose our audience.
As we learn to write stories that unfold without too much
explaining, can we apply this to our relationships with the Lord and with
others?
Do we need to justify the whys to the One who knows our
thoughts before we do? What if we talk to him as if he already knows and loves
us anyway? What if we’re this honest with others?
Raw and transparent writing allows our readers to see
themselves in our narrative. Honestly revealing our humanity and God’s
enablement glorifies God, rather than our own efforts. Honesty demonstrates
that our hearts truly belong to him.
“For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the
earth that He may strongly support those who heart is completely His” (2
Chronicles 16:9 NASB).
For more on Prologuing read: “Backstory” (http://melindainman.com/backstory/)
Nudged
toward evil by Satan, Cain 's hard-hearted hubris results in Abel's murder and
Lilith's broken heart when he is banished, splitting the family and propelling
mankind toward ever-increasing violence as their siblings seek revenge. Crushed
by what he's done, Cain runs, certain he's destroyed Lilith, his parents, and
the entire family. With Satan hounding his every move and no idea of the forces
arrayed against him, can Cain ever find God after he's committed a sin of such
magnitude? Can he ever be forgiven?
Melinda Viergever Inman was
raised in the tornado capital of the U.S.—Wakita, Oklahoma, of
"Twister" fame. There her parents met. There her roots were sunk in a
storytelling family. During years of relocation, tragedy struck. Wounded and
heartbroken, Melinda forsook her roots and ran from herself and from God. A
journey of trial and heartache brought her home again. A prodigal now returned
to her secure foundation, she writes with passion, illustrating God's love for
wounded people as he makes beauty from ashes. Refuge is her first novel. Melinda shepherds women in church and
in prison ministry. She writes inspirational material and Bible studies. Her
six precocious offspring, all grown, teach and inspire her. With her husband
and family, she is involved in a church-planting ministry in India: Reaching
Indians Ministries International.
You can learn more and connect with Melinda here:
