writing & grammar tips

writing advice

[perpetual-stories]

Hey, I’ve seen a few of your posts on writing tips and I was wondering if you could possibly give me some advice on toxic relationships/manipulative relationships. I’m planning on writing a one shot using these two specific things.

Thank you so much and take care!



Writing Toxic Relationships

Hi @moonlightwriter

I apologize for taking so long, maybe a year, to answer your question. I have unintentionally become less active on this account, but I hope this advice isn't too late!

Writing about toxic or manipulative relationships is all about subtlety, control, and tension. Here are some tips to help you craft them convincingly.

Understand the Core of Manipulation

Just like us, the characters we write won't willingly enter a relationship knowing the other person has these negative and toxic traits.

A manipulator uses control disguised as care. A manipulator often frames their dominance as protection, concern, or love. (“I just don’t want you to get hurt, that’s why you shouldn’t see them.”)

There is a "rule" in dating. I use quotations around the word 'rule' because it isn't a real or scientifically supported concept. But, it's said a person won't show their true selves until after around month three or after... so planning out small instances in which the manipulative partner demonstrates their dominance is a great way to plant seeds for the readers.

Gaslighting is used to make the other person doubt their memory, feelings, or reality.

Intermittent Reinforcement is when the manipulator uses kindness followed by cruelty to keep the other person hooked, always chasing the “good side” again.

2. Use Subtle Power Dynamics

Show how one character always ends up deciding where they go, what they do, or how they speak. This demonstrates the lack of consideration for their partner as well as the lack of communication. Often believing their partner's say and opinion does not matter.

Have the manipulator interrupt, speak over, or twist words so the other character feels smaller without overt abuse.

Highlight body language: leaning in too close, touching without permission, cornering in conversations.

3. Layer in Emotional Hooks

Love-bombing → devaluation → apology cycle: grand affection, sudden cruelty, then a “soft” apology that resets things.

Fear of abandonment: toxic characters often weaponize the other person’s insecurities.

Isolation: cutting the other off from friends/family “for their own good.”

4. Sensory Writing for Tension

Toxic dynamics feel heavy in the body:

Knots in the stomach before answering a question.

Silence that stretches too long, making the air feel suffocating.

A touch that is both tender and trapping.

5. Keep the Victim’s Perspective Realistic

Show how they rationalize the manipulator’s behavior: “They’re only like this because they care so much.”

Emphasize the slow erosion of self-worth. It’s rarely instant; it builds until the character can’t recognize themselves.

Include fleeting moments of clarity—brief realizations before being pulled back in.

6. Dialogue Techniques

Backhanded compliments: “You’d be perfect if you weren’t so sensitive.”

Shifting blame: “I wouldn’t have yelled if you hadn’t provoked me.”

False choices: “If you loved me, you’d do this.”

7. Avoid Caricature

The most unsettling, manipulative characters aren’t always villains 24/7. Sometimes they’re charming, playful, even genuinely loving. That contrast makes their toxicity more believable—and more devastating.

Writing relationships like this can be mentally exhausting and/or triggering, so please, please take care of yourself first! We're writers and we want to pour our heart, soul, and everything we have into our story and characters, but do not let it affect your well-being. So take a break if you have to! These characters and their story can wait, but your well-being cannot!

If you have any other tips or advice, feel free to reblog or comment them below!

[perpetual-stories]

hi! do you have any tips for short story writing? i’ve always struggled turning a story idea into something short; i’d keep writing until i have over 80+ pages for something as simple as a writing assignment for a class in 7th grade, whilst everyone else wrote 6 pages at most..

Hi! Thank you so much for your submission and apologies for the delay!

The best advice I can give regarding this is creating an outline. Sometimes it’s okay to free write me just spill out what your heart desires.

But keep in mind if you want to write a Short Story then it’s usually around 1,000 - 7,500 words, however, with that said recent sources have said 10,000 - 15,000 words can also be a short story — keep in mind a short story has one plot point. One! Or sometimes a series of linked events, but short stories allow for a very simple plot be follow through.

Take a look at a post I had made about the various works of fiction.

Post by @perpetual-stories

💬 0  🔁 24  ❤️ 47 · Learn the Differences Between Novelettes, Novellas, and Novels · Since I am currently in the process of writing a story,

So although you have 80+ pages, I recommend you go back and check out your word count. If you double space, and use size 12 or bigger perhaps you are right around the short story page limit.

But if you’ve noticed you’ve gone over that’s okay! Do not feel bad! That’s what DRAFTS ARE FOR!

Reread your work, you’re bound to see stuff you want to cut out or feel the need to rework your story as you go. And you should! Nothing is perfect first time around. But if you’re still having a difficult time then an outline is the best course of action. Also, remind yourself what is the plot of your story.

Keep it simple and linear; it takes time and practice to be able to restrain yourself and write just enough to tell the story.

Hope this helps!

[nondelphic]

"just write a little every day" ok but what if i write nothing for 3 weeks and then suddenly type like i’m being hunted by god

[perpetual-stories]

Learn the Differences Between Novelettes, Novellas, and Novels

Since I am currently in the process of writing a story, but I'm not sure what I want it to be... I'd figure I'd go ahead and share the differences!

So let's get to it!

Writing the first draft of a novel can be a daunting, arduous task. That’s why the novelette format can be so appealing. In many ways, a novelette is like a short novel. It allows writers to hone their craft by learning how to tell stories under a strict word count restriction.

What Is a Novelette?

The definition of “novelette” is any short, fictional work of prose narrative. Novelettes have a lower number of words than a novel or novella, but a higher word count than other forms of prose fiction like short stories or microfiction. Despite lacking the page count of a full-length novel, novelettes generally tell a complete story. Some people refer to novelettes as “long short stories” or “short novellas.”

How Long Is a Novelette?

Any work of fiction with a word count between 7,500 and 19,000 is generally considered a novelette. A novelette is longer than a short story, which usually has a word range of between 1,000 and 7,500 words, and flash fiction, which is usually under 1,000 words. Any piece of creative writing that is longer than a novelette but shorter than a novel is considered a novella.

Three Differences Between Novelettes and Novellas

A novella is a standalone piece of fiction that is shorter than a full-length novel but longer than a short story or novelette. Novellas incorporate many narrative and structural elements of novel-length stories—but like novelettes, they often focus on single points of view, focusing on a single central conflict, and rely on fast pacing. Here are the differences between novelettes and novellas:

Word count: The primary difference between a novelette and a novella, then, is word count (novelettes are shorter than novellas).

Subject matter: Traditionally, novelettes tended to focus on whimsical, sentimental themes. The modern-day novelette, though, is more like the novella in that it can encompass different genres like sci-fi, drama, or historical short fiction.

Complexity: In terms of storytelling ambition, novelettes tend to split the difference between novellas and shorter forms like short stories. Novelettes tend to have a greater focus on character development, worldbuilding, and plotting than short stories. However, the stories are generally more concise and focused than a novella-length work, as the word count is often too restrictive to tell a long story.

Three Differences Between Novellas and Novels

The most obvious difference between novels and novellas is page length and number of words. However, beyond this superficial difference, many structural and thematic hallmarks of novellas make them their own standalone genre of writing. Some of these include:

 A single central conflict: Most novellas explore a single, compelling central conflict. Because of their shorter length, novellas have less time to explore subplots and tend to focus on the main plot. Novellas generally have one main character and a handful of secondary characters. Because of length constraints, most of the character development will be focused on the protagonist.

 Fast pacing: Novellas usually move at a quick pace. Whereas novels can spend time diverging from the central conflict to delve into backstory and explore multiple points of view, novellas generally offer a quick compelling story with a singular point of view.

Unity of time and place: When writing novellas, writers should root the action in continuous time within a limited space, ideally one location.

Benefits of Writing a Novelette

For short story writers or people who generally write shorter works, novelettes can be an opportunity to tell a longer-form, standalone story. For writers who are used to writing, say, full-length science fiction or fantasy novels, the word count restriction of a novelette offers a chance to tell a good story with a simple cast of characters and few subplots.

Seven Examples of Novelettes

Novelette writers know how to tell a complete story in a relatively short amount of time. Here are some famous examples of novelettes, many of which were originally published in literary magazines:

The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe (1839)

The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson (1886)

The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka (1915)

The Call Of Cthulhu by H. P. Lovecraft (1928)

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (1943)

Bloodchild by Octavia E. Butler (1995)

Hell Is the Absence of God by Ted Chiang (2001)

I hope this helps! Thank you for still being my followers and patiently waiting for a post!

[perpetual-stories]

Eight Strategies for Improving Dialogue in Your Writing

Well, hi! Oh my… wow! It’s been a long time since I’ve posted! I’ve been very busy and I am genuinely sorry to all my followers, but that doesn’t mean I’ve forgotten about this account, but here is one final post for the year!

Hopefully next year I become consistent with it again!

Let’s begin!

One of the best ways to help a reader connect with your writing is by crafting excellent dialogue. Use these tips to learn how to write dialogue that showcases character development, defines your characters’ voices, and hooks readers.

Why Use Dialogue?

Good dialogue performs all sorts of functions in fiction writing. It defines your characters’ voices, establishes their speech patterns, exposes the inner emotions, and showcases their character development. Beyond mere characterization, effective dialogue can also establish the setting and time period of your story and reveal information in a way that doesn’t feel overly expository.

Authors use lines of dialogue to reveal a character’s personality and express their point of view. For instance, an archetypal football coach might speak in short, terse sentences peppered with exclamation points and quotations from famous war generals. By contrast, a nebbish lover with a broken heart might drone on endlessly to his therapist or best friend, speaking in run-on sentences that circle around his true motivations. When an author can reveal character traits through dialogue, it cuts down on exposition and makes a story flow briskly.

Eight Writing Tips for Improving Dialogue

The first time you write dialogue, you may find it quite difficult to replicate the patterns of normal speech. This can be compounded by the concurrent challenges of finding your own voice and telling a great story overall. Even bestselling authors can get stuck on how a particular character says a particular line of dialogue. With practice and hard work, however, lackluster dialogue can be elevated to great dialogue.

Here are some strategies for improving the dialogue in your own work:

Mimic the voices of people in your own life. Perhaps you’ve created a physician character with the same vocal inflections as your mother. Perhaps your hero soldier talks just like your old volleyball coach. If you want to ensure that your dialogue sounds the way real people speak, there’s no better resource than the real life people in your everyday world.

Mix dialogue with narration. Long runs of dialogue can dislodge a reader from the action of a scene. As your characters talk, interpolate some descriptions of their physical postures or other activity taking place in the room. This mimics the real-world experience of listening to someone speaking while simultaneously taking in visual and olfactory stimuli.

Give your main character a secret. Sometimes a line of dialogue is most notable for what it withholds. Even if your audience doesn’t realize it, you can build dynamic three-dimensionality by having your character withhold a key bit of information from their speech. For instance, you may draft a scene in which a museum curator speaks to an artist about how she wants her work displayed—but what the curator isn’t saying out loud is that she’s in love with the artist. You can use that secret to embed layers of tension into the character’s spoken phrases.

Use a layperson character to clarify technical language. When you need dialogue to convey technical information in approachable terms, split the conversation between two people. Have one character be an expert and one character be uninformed. The expert character can speak at a technical level, and the uninformed one can stop them, asking questions for clarification. Your readers will appreciate it.

Use authentic shorthand. Does your character call a gun a “piece” or a “Glock”? Whatever it is, be authentic and consistent in how your characters speak. If they all sound the same, your dialogue needs another pass.

Look to great examples of dialogue for inspiration. If you're looking for a dialogue example in the realm of novels or short stories, consider reading the great books written by Mark Twain, Judy Blume, or Toni Morrison. Within the world of screenwriting, Aaron Sorkin is renowned for his use of dialogue.

Ensure that you’re punctuating your dialogue properly. Remember that question marks and exclamation points go inside quotation marks. Enclose dialogue in double quotation marks and use single quotation marks when a character quotes another character within their dialogue. Knowing how to punctuate dialogue properly can ensure that your reader stays immersed in the story.

Use dialogue tags that are evocative. Repeating the word “said” over and over can make for dull writing and miss out on opportunities for added expressiveness. Consider replacing the word “said” with a more descriptive verb.

[perpetual-stories]

Hey everyone! I’ve been very busy but I have not forgotten nor abandoned this blog! New writing tips coming soon!

Do not hesitate to send me any ideas of writing tips you’d like to see!

[perpetual-stories]

idk if this is just me but, how do you make your works more...wordy? like you know how certain pieces of literature has a beautiful way of explaining things like love, hurt, remorse, etc. do I really need to pull out a dictionary to reach this?

Advice Incoming

Hi! Thank you for sending in your question and apologies for the delay!

I would say, don’t worry about this till you’ve at least finished your first draft! I always say the first draft is to write down your ideas and make sure they are coherent enough. Once you’ve completed the first draft you can go over and elaborate on your sentences.

As far as how to create eloquent phrasings and sentences; I think it just comes with practice and definitely having a broad vocabulary range, but even then, it’s not always the greatest to add flourish and pizzaz to your writing if it’s not necessarily or hard to understand.

I’ve seen some writers try and be a bit over the top with their their phrasing to the point where I don’t understand what it is they are trying to say anymore. I call this frou-frou writing or purple prose, as some call it.

Sometimes less is more!

But if you do want to write beautiful prose, you should

a). practice! Practice makes perfect as I always say.

b). keep a dictionary or thesaurus near by, as it will definitely help!

c). don’t overstress. If you can’t find the right word or phrasing you want that’s okay! Sometimes saying a simple, “I love you” is far more effective than, “I will trudge and storm through the ends of the earth and pull the seas apart and lower the stars so that everyday when you see the…” blah, I don’t even know what I was trying to say but it was supposed to mean, “I love you.”

d). workshop you’re writing. It’s best to get feedback from peers and they can provide advice or let you know exactly what you need or need to adjust.

I just hope in the end you’re having fun and having the right amount of stress for your story!

I hope this helps and answers your question!

[perpetual-stories]

Fan-Fiction Writers / Short Story Writers Needed

I had created a post a few months back needing to hire a few freelance writers for short stories and I am thankful I got a few amazing writers to help with my Etsy shop.

However, sales have picked up and I need a few more writers. If you are interested keep reading!

About Job:

As some of you may know. I have an Etsy store that sells short stories, it’s a wonderful little job I have on the side that is really fun and often brings people joy!

During this time, sales have been pouring in resulting in the help of a few freelance writers to help and create amazing stories.

This job requires tu to create original short stories based off of the clients request.

I have posted this in job listing on Upwork and figured I’d try again on Tumblr.

Requirements:

Must have experience writing short stories and fan-fiction.

Must be willing to write fan-fiction for any and all genres of media: novels, television shows, movies, manga, anime, etc. You must be willing to write for a story you are not familiar with. Parts of being a writer is challenging yourself out of your comfort zone.

I have had to write fan-fiction for multiple fandoms I am not familiar with or experienced in, however, I do not let that stop me and I do my best research to provide the best work for the client and I expect you to do the same.

Feel comfortable writing erotica/smut.

It’s not a need or a must but it would be great if there is experience here.

Additional Information:

As mentioned, it is a freelance writing job position. So, if no sales are made there will unfortunately be no payment, I hope you understand and this is clear!

You will get paid through commission percentage. Starting base for a commission is 48% and may increase depending on work ethics and customer satisfaction.

Pricing for stories vary, so not every project will be paid the same amount but the base is always 48%.

I pay only though PayPal. No other media platforms.

All short stories and fan-fiction written by a freelance writer will belong and be property to the original writer. Perpetual Stories does not or will not own any of the work provided by the original writers.

If You Are Interested:

If after reading all this you are interested please email me at [email protected] and please do the following.

Submit samples of your work: short stories and fan-fiction samples. Please include various and different genres or categories, especially something out of your comfort zone! I’d love to see diversity!

Answers to the following questions:

How do you feel about writing a fan-fiction on a fandom you are not family with? How confident do you feel in your ability to provide the best work for yourself and the client?

How do you incorporate feedback and edits into your work? I know the client may request specific changes after a story is finished.

How do you feel about due dates and sending me snippets of your progress? I send them to the customer so that they can get a taste or feel of their story.

Do you feel comfortable working on two different stories simultaneously? If not, that is fine! If you say 'no,' it won't affect your chances.

If chosen, would you like to work with Perpetual Stories in the long run? I plan to eventually have steady and reliable go-to writers that become permanent members of Perpetual Stories (once the budget increases, of course).

Are you okay with randomly being assigned a story / fan-fiction idea? All stories will be assigned based off of order of purchase or queue.

Please feel free to ask any questions during the email if any arise. This post is a quick and brief summary, not all details were provided to keep the post short and simple.

During the emails, I may ask a few additional questions (if needed).

I do hope to talk with you soon if you’re interested!

I would greatly appreciate it if you would reblog this post so that many people would be able to view it! I would be very appreciative of it!

[perpetual-stories]

Hey everyone! I’m in need of more writers! Having a shortage, so I need more talented writers!

Look forward to seeing your responses!

[perpetual-stories]

Hii!! Could you please tell me how to write better? u can look on my account, there I have posted one fanfic which is my first one

Hi! Thank you for submitting your question!

Honestly, the best way to write "better" is to practice and read. There's no better way than to simply practice and read at every chance you get.

If you still feel your writing lacks descriptions, details, emotions, character development, etc., you can use some writing books to help you.

I love to use the Emotion Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi and Body Beats by April W. Gardner. These are the two books I always have with me when I am working on a WIP.

Of course, there are other books to help, but those are my go-to's. It's all preference on what you would like to have in your writing arsenal. If you'd like a one-on-one editing and advice session, feel free to message me, and I would be more than happy to take a look at that fanfic you mentioned :)

[perpetual-stories]

Hello, your blog is an absolute godsend :) do you have any starter prompts or tips for bookstore romances/ bookstore meet-cutes or how to write them? i dunno where to start, honestly. thank you very much for hearing me out! ^^

Hi! Thank you for submitting your question!

I apologize for the inactivity; I have been very busy, but I don't share or offer starter prompts.

@creativepromptsforwriting does! You should check out the account if you don't already! They have prompts that are most likely in the alley you're looking for :D

I don't follow any other prompt accounts, so I apologize if this isn't as helpful as it should be.

[perpetual-stories]

The Emotion Thesaurus: Amazement

Hello everyone! This post will discuss the emotion amazement.

This section is taken from the Emotion Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi.

Amazement

Definition: overwhelming astonishment or wonder

Physical Signals:

widening of the eyes

a slack mouth

becoming suddenly still

sucking in a quick breath

a hand covering one's mouth

stiffening posture

giving a small yelp

rapid blinking followed by open staring

flinching or starting, the body jumping slightly

taking a step back

a slow, disbelieving shake of the head

voicing wonder: I can't believe it! or Look at that!

pulling out a cell phone to record the event

glancing to see if others are experiencing the same thing

pressing a hand to one's chest, fingers splayed out

leaning in

moving closer

reaching out or touching

eyebrows raising

lips parting

a wide smile

spontaneous laughter

pressing palms to cheeks

fanning oneself

repeating the same things over and over

squealing dramatically

Internal Sensations:

a heart that seems to freeze, then pound

rushing blood

rising body tempreture

tingling skin

stalled breaths

adrenaline spikes

Mental Responses:

momentarily forgetting all else

wanting to share the experience with others

giddiness

disorientation

euphoria

an inability to find words

Cues of Acture of Long-Term Amazement:

a racing heartbeat

shortness of breath

knees going weak

feeling overwhelmed as if the room is closing in

collapsing

May Escalate To: Curiosity, Disbelief, Excitement

Cues of Suppressed Amazement:

holding oneself tightly (self-hugging)

walking in jerky, self-contained strides

clamping the hands to the chest

looking down or away to hide one's expression

eyes widening a bit before control is asserted

mouth snapping shut

a stony expression

taking a seat to hide emotion

making excuses if reaction is noticed

stuttering, stammering

[perpetual-stories]

hello. How do I make my writing smooth? All my paragraphs seem disconnected.

Thank you.

Hi! I created a whole post to answer your question here!

Hope it helps!

[perpetual-stories]

How to Use Paragraph Transitions to Strengthen Your Writing

A post dedicated to an inbox submission. Here you go!

An important part of essay writing is learning how to effectively employ paragraph transitions—shifting from one paragraph or idea to the next. Learning to effectively use the different types of transitions will help you write more cohesive pieces and improve the clarity of your writing.

What Is a Paragraph Transition?

A paragraph transition is a sentence or unique paragraph that helps the reader move from one paragraph to the next, or from one idea to another. A transition is the first sentence of a new paragraph. Occasionally, the last sentence of the prior paragraph acts as the transition. When a writer wants to transition link two substantial paragraphs, they can use a standalone transitional paragraph.

4 Reasons Paragraph Transitions Are Important

Paragraph transitions serve a variety of purposes, and understanding how they function within the context of a larger piece of writing is essential to clear writing. Usually transitions are full sentences that link paragraphs, but occasionally simple phrases or single words can effectively transition between two shorter paragraphs. Here are a few reasons why paragraph transitions are important and should be included in your writing:

Paragraph transitions link ideas. First and foremost, paragraph transitions serve to link two ideas. A body paragraph is generally devoted to a main idea or concept that fits into the larger piece and explores a facet of the primary thesis statement. A transition sentence links your first paragraph to your second paragraph and so forth.

Paragraph transitions give your writing momentum. Paragraph transitions are incredibly helpful when it comes to building momentum in your writing. Effective transitions propel your essay forward and keep your readers engaged. This is particularly important in academic writing or professional writing that can otherwise feel dry or static.

Paragraph transitions improve readability. Transition words can help your readers track your ideas and understand how they relate to each other. Thoughtful transitions clue readers in to the progression of your ideas and your overall train of thought.

Paragraph transitions set the stage for new ideas. While effective transitions should tie up loose ends for material in the previous paragraph, it’s sometimes more important that they set the stage for the new ideas to come in the next paragraph. A written piece should have forward momentum, and transitions serve to prepare the reader for new information to come.

How to Transition Between Paragraphs in Your Writing

Understanding why we use paragraph transitions in the first place is obviously important, but learning how to effectively employ good transitions in your writing can sometimes come only through practice. That said, here are some tips that can help you get started as you begin to use transitions in your writing.

Outline your piece. Using an outline is vital to improving your writing process and should generally come before you start writing your piece. Outlining is important when you are working on transitional expressions and transition sentences because outlines give you a macro view of your piece as a whole, with signposts indicating the main ideas of each paragraph. Referring back to your outline can help you brainstorm types of transitions that set the stage for what’s to come and help your ideas flow.

Identify the subject of each paragraph. Once you’ve consulted your outline, it’s time to hone in on the main ideas of the paragraphs on either side of your transition. A good transition will have something to say about both the preceding paragraph and the new paragraph.

Track the overall arc of your piece. Transitions link two specific paragraphs, but make sure you have an eye on the overall arc of your essay. If you have a good sense of the bigger picture you can use your transitions to set up information that is still to come, beyond the next paragraph.

Brainstorm good transitional words. Transitional phrases often have similar word choice and style. Linking words and conjunctive adverbs are often used in paragraph transitions because they help establish the relationship between two separate ideas. Words like “therefore,” “nevertheless,” “although,” and “namely” quickly sum up how one idea relates to the next. Effective transition words keep your reader hooked into your piece.

Consider cause and effect. It’s not enough to simply link two subjects; transitional sentences should also effectively demonstrate how these ideas build on each other. This is especially true in academic writing or persuasive essay writing. It’s your job to convince your reader that you have built a coherent argument for your main thesis statement. Transition sentences can help show readers how your ideas build on each other and conceptually link one entire paragraph to the paragraph that follows.

Pay attention to style. The way that you transition between paragraphs and the types of transitions you use will depend on what type of piece you are writing. If you’re writing a high school- or college-level academic essay, you’ll probably want to avoid overly colloquial transitions. If you’re writing a personal essay or lighthearted humor piece, you should choose transitions that complement the voice of the piece.

Review your transition sentences separate from your piece. Once you’ve finished your piece, it’s useful to take a look at all your transitions out of context to make sure that you haven’t overused certain constructions or repeated word choice. Looking at a list of your transitions can also give you a good roadmap for the overall shape of your essay and can help you decide if you’ve built a cohesive piece of writing.

Examples of Transitions:

[perpetual-stories]

How/when do you most effectively use a prologue? (sorry if you've already answered this I couldn't find anything and I'm on mobile)

Hi! Thank you for reaching out! This is actually a great question!

And a whole separate post was just created for it!

[perpetual-stories]

Writing 101: How to Write a Prologue

To help answer a question that was submitted to me, I’ll go ahead and create a whole separate post for it. I know it’s a bit different than what was asked in but I promise the answer to the question is there!

What Is a Prologue?

A prologue is a piece of writing found at the beginning of a literary work, before the first chapter and separate from the main story. The definition of prologue introduce important information—such as background details, or characters—that have some connection to the main story, but whose relevance is not immediately obvious.

Fitting the definition of prologue, the word comes from the Greek prologos, which means “before word.” The Ancient Greeks frequently used prologue in dramatic works of theater, where it functioned more like a first act to a play.

What Is the History of Prologue in Literature?

The invention of the prologue is attributed to Euripides, an influential Greek playwright and poet who predominantly produced tragedies about the darker side of human nature. Euripides’ plots often featured passion and revenge.

For a good example of how Euripides uses this literary device, consider the prologue to one of his most famous works, “Medea.” In the play, a woman takes revenge on her unfaithful husband by murdering him, his lover, and her own children. But before we get to the action, an old nurse enters the stage and tells the audience some of the facts so far:

Medea and her husband, Jason, are having marital problems

Jason has run off with someone else

Medea has been stricken by grief and has even begun to despise her own children by Jason

What Is the Purpose of Prologue in Literature?

Prologues serve an integral role in fiction writing, as well as playwriting. In modern literature, Geoffrey Chaucer started the tradition of using a prologue with his Canterbury Tales, a collection of 24 stories written from 1387-1400. Chaucer used his prologue as a kind of roadmap for the entire work, which tells the story of a group of pilgrims on their way to Canterbury.

A good prologue performs one of many functions in a story:

Foreshadowing events to come

Providing background information or backstory on the central conflict

Establishing a point of view (either the main character’s, or that of another character who is privy to the tale)

Setting the tone for the rest of the novel or play

What’s the Difference Between a Prologue and a Preface, Foreword, or Introduction?

While prefaces, forewords, and introductions serve a similar function of providing additional context for the content to come, they have some key differences from a prologue.

A preface is written from the point of view of the author, not a character or narrator. It explains the origins, development, legacy, or aims of the book, and often acknowledges others who contributed. Prefaces are employed mainly in nonfiction books, but may be used in fiction as well.

A foreword is written by a critic, subject matter expert, or other public figure who is not the author. A foreword typically introduces readers to the book by connecting its content or themes to their own experience. Forewords are used in both fiction and nonfiction.

An introduction is written from the point of view of the author, and offers additional information to help the reader understand the subject of the book, including historical context. Prefaces are employed mainly in nonfiction books.

3 Famous Examples of Prologues in Literature

Romeo and Juliet,” William Shakespeare (1591-1595)

One of the most famous literary prologues of all time, this prologue takes the form of a sonnet that introduces readers to the setting and characters of the play, as well as the dire situation in which the two star-crossed lovers find themselves. The prologue begins as follows:

Two households, both alike in dignity, In fair Verona, where we lay our scene, From ancient grudge break to new mutiny, Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.

Shakespeare doesn’t hold back on spoilers: the sonnet also reveals the play’s tragic ending.

Lolita,” Vladimir Nabokov (1955)

Nabokov’s prologue is designed to heighten the controversy of its subject matter. It takes the form of a fictional foreword by an academic, who has supposedly discovered the book and is warning readers of its subject matter prior to chapter one.

“These are not only vivid characters in a unique story: they warn us of dangerous trends; they point out potent evils,” it reads. “‘Lolita’ should make all of us—parents, social workers, educators—apply ourselves with still greater vigilance and vision to the task of bringing up a better generation in a safer world.”

Jurassic Park,” Michael Crichton (1990)

Crichton actually offers two prologues, each showcasing a different style. The first reads like a legal document, outlining the seriousness of an “incident” and the “remarkable events” that followed.

The second prologue is more literary: a short scene, separate to the main story, in which a man is treated for an injury by a doctor in a remote village in Costa Rica. The doctor observes that the man seems to have been mauled by an animal. While treating him, the man wakes up and says one word: “Raptor.”

How to Write a Prologue in 3 Easy Steps

Introduce the main character(s). Some twentieth-century plays have used prologues to great effect. In Tennessee Williams’s The Glass Menagerie (1944), the prologue introduces the audience to the play’s narrator, Tom Wingfield, who explains that what the audience is about to see is drawn from his own memories. Tom tells the audience: “I am the narrator of the play, and also a character in it. The other characters are my mother Amanda, my sister Laura, and a gentleman caller who appears in the final scenes.”

Drop hints. Crime fiction and thrillers often make use of prologues to hint at characters, locations, and the mystery that is to come. Sometimes, a prologue may be set centuries or miles apart from the book, and appear wholly unrelated; however, it will somehow tie back into the main plot later in the novel.

Add only relevant details. A prologue should not be an “information dump”: a good prologue enhances your story, rather than explaining it. The best way to decide what to include in a prologue is to ask yourself: what does the reader absolutely need to know before starting to read the main story?

[promptful]

Can I ask for some ending prompts? As in something that will show how a work ends. I really need help with an adventure story but don't know what would be the right way to end it

Hi there!

I feel like this is a little out of my comfort zone, but @perpetual-stories has a fantastic resource here: link. Hope this helps! <3 (And go show them some love :))

[perpetual-stories]

Thank you for your kind words and lowkey shout-out. 🙈

[perpetual-stories]

I have been struggling with the motivation to start writing my story. I feel as if I’m a terrible writer, and have no idea where to start or how to get better.

Any ideas?

ADVICE INCOMING

Hi! Thank you for submitting your questions!

Let me start it by saying that’s okay! It’s totally normal to struggle in motivating yourself to write; we all do, especially me!

Second of all, you’re not a terrible writer. Throw that thought out if the window. Throw it out! We do not see ourselves as anything other than aspiring and learning writers here on this blog.

You’re not terrible, no such thing. Don’t see yourself as a terrible writer but as one who still has to learn. We aren’t born with the skill, it’s one that must be built upon and refined.

The only way to become a better writer is to practice, practice and practice and read, read and read!

That’s the only way to do it; simple as that. You can go to school and get a degree for it but ultimately they will teach you the same thing, practicing and reading excellent samples of writing (I’m not saying don’t go to school for it, lol, but the principles are the same).

(3). If you want to become a better writer and find motivation I’d say start of by writing what interests YOU and what YOU’RE passionate about. That’s the best way to do it.

Fanfic writing is often the place people start off as it’s the easiest to indulge yourself in something you love and feel you’re knowledgeable about. Start there.

Or maybe not fanfic per say, but maybe write about a topic that interests you. Maybe the civil war, or jellyfish, or whatever that may be, write about it.

Some practice books with various topics are also a great way to get the brain going. I have a few writing prompt boos and those help out a tone to get that creativity flowing!

I’ll attach a link to a few.

(4). Don’t over think when you write, just type or write whatever springs to your mind and go with the flow. I know that’s hard as I have a tendency to double, triple check everything I write. In other words DO NOT EDIT as you write. I know that’s hard but it takes practice.

(5). You are your own greatest enemy; so go easier on yourself and remember you’re still learning.

I hope this somewhat helps!