Storywriting: Prologue or No Prologue?

[Ayzek]

I'd say you've overthinking it. Or maybe thinking about it wrong? I mean...whether or not it has a prologue doesn't matter much ultimately--the (average? not-Sal?) reader will read what you write (in order, hopefully) if they're interested. I suppose you could try to write a really interesting prologue, though if you want to use the prologue as a hook. But if you don't, that's fine too. I don't even remember if a particular book/novel/novella/longish story I've read had a prologue or not. I'm sure they all had a chapter 1 though.

Much like Sal, though, I personally prefer just getting into the story, and be introduced to the situation as it develops--with references to past events and other context explained, if necessary, fluidly. Of course, if the events of the prologue are unrelated to the events of the first chapter, or otherwise aren't something that /could/ fluidly be included/revealed in the main story, it may be a good idea to include it. "More lore" is cool.

So...um, yeah. If the prologue adds to the thing or explains something the main story can't or shouldn't: sure, include it. If you're just thinking about including one because you feel you need to have one...then you probably shouldn't, because you really don't.

Edit: Not voting cause I don't really agree with either option.