Let’s Talk About the Prologue

I’ve noticed a lot of readers have questions about the prologue in The Lies We Whisper, specifically why I chose to open the story there and what it says about Hanna’s journey.

Behind the scenes, the prologue went through many versions. At one point, it was even the family history section. Originally, I started the book with what is now the epilogue. But as I revised, I realized Hanna’s story needed to start even earlier to give a glimpse not just of her childhood, but also the layers of loss and heartbreak she had already lived through. Hanna’s past is not just backstory; it is the reason she reacts the way she does, why trust is hard for her, and why survival sometimes means staying silent.

Finding the right opening was a process of balancing honesty with hope. While the prologue is not a direct retelling of my own life, it is partly drawn from real experiences—my own, and those I have witnessed or been trusted with over the years. I do not believe you can truly write about trauma without knowing something of it, in your bones or in your heart. My hope was to give readers a sense of who Hanna truly is before the plot even starts moving: a survivor, shaped by pain but always searching for meaning.

If you have thoughts about the prologue, or if it struck a chord for you, I would love to hear your experience. Thank you for stepping into Hanna’s world with me.