Hey, I'm new here! So nice to meet you! I started writing my first ever novel, and so far I've finished 10 chaps, but I just can't figure out the prologue! Some background info, it's a middle-grade book (u know the type- lighthearted and fun but with dark undertones) in 5 protagonist POVs. The prologue is in the POV of the antagonist who basically watches her parents die wo helping because they deserve it and she has to protect her brother. I really like the idea but I feel like it doesn't quite fit the tone of the rest of the book since it has a lot of implied abuse. I don't want to put my target audience off. There will be dark stuff like that later in the book as the characters and storyline matures, but is it a good idea to smack-bam start it off like that?
Hello and welcome, you've come to the right place to discuss all things writing. This forum is mostly for just introducing yourself. You may get more responses about your WIP if you post to one of the Writing Process forums. Based on what you've said, it sounds like you are starting off with a dark tone in the prologue, and I have heard that tone and voice should be consistent throughout a particular work. I'm not sure if a novel can be both dark and also lighthearted, but you may be able to make it work if you're using different POVs. Looking forward to seeing you in the forums!
James and the Giant Peach. James witnesses his parents get eaten by a rhinoceros on an otherwise fun trip to the zoo on the first page, yada-yadas into a felonious, abusive domestic situation with his psychopathic aunts by page 3, and then meets some fun anthropomorphic insect friends by about page 10 or so. Executed one way, that's a Serbian horror film scripted by Cormac McCarthy. Executed the other way, you have one of the most famous, beloved middle grade novels of all time. It's all in the tone.
Hey! Tysm for replying! I'm going for the vibe of books like Percy Jackson and Keeper of the Lost Cities- overall funny, light-hearted and fluffy while also dealing with darker things like domestic abuse, discrimination, insanity, grief etc. without making it too intense for a young audience
Sounds like real life! I'd love to see how you execute it. We have a Workshop, where you can post samples of your writing, to receive feedback on it. There's a two-for-one policy. Any member must do two critiques before they post their own. Maybe you'd like to take advantage of this? A posting of around 2000 words should get you some good feedback.
