Prologues

Do you need a prologue?

Used correctly, a prologue can add to a novel and grab the reader’s attention immediately. 

Used incorrectly, prologues are nothing but back story or an info dump which adds only a boring beginning.  They can also give too much information which takes away from the reader’s desire to learn more and make guesses.  

Most inexperienced writers believe that the reader has to be told everything up front, or she won't understand.  Readers understand, though, when various bits of important information are layered through the story.

So, do you need that prologue?  If it grabs the reader’s attention, and the first chapter can't, then the prologue works. If it doesn’t, don’t use it.