forestory

plural forestories · alternative fore-story

1. An introductory segment before a story; a preface or prelude.

   Whereas the resolution of conflict in the forestory is quite traditional—the hero abducts the bride—the narrative proper is realized in a somewhat unconventional manner, unconventional, that is, for romance.

   2013, Sarah M. Anderson, Karen Swenson, The Cold Counsel

   1 more example

   Parcevals saga not only contains a postlude that rounds off the fragmentary French romance, but also a brief forestory that explains why Parceval and his mother live in a wilderness far removed from civilisation.

   2017, Marianne E. Kalinke, Stories Set Forth with Fair Words