When we say this:
Yes I did say we. I often cringe if I don't add a few qualifiers and explanations and further advice to go with it.
To my mind, while a lot of things can succeed, the safest bet is to start the story when some interesting event breaks the usual flow of things, and to zoom in on one or a small group of characters as soon as possible, preferably doing something engrossing and active.
The trouble is if left as just that simple statement it seems to engender a knee jerk response that we need to have an action packed thriller scene to open the story and breezes by the most important element which is that you need to write well. And yes maybe somewhere and soon perhaps that inciting incident that drives the entire story should show up.
Then we(meaning me)add to the confusion the usual advice that movies and novels are different media and don't mix well.
[I have to qualify that we is me; because I've often ended up with people ignoring the issue and innocently attacking my statement by questioning who we is because
we(everyone else)never give bad advice like this.]
I personally have to stop a moment if I start to make that statement because I recall.
In 1981- April I picked up a book by Campbell Black entitled Raiders of the Lost Arc. The book starts as if someone gave him that advice that things have to be happening at the beginning; however in this case this is almost a direct adaption from the screenplay and this is how the movie starts. And: guess what? This worked for me; not only did I enjoy the novel I also suggested to friends and family that this was going to be a great movie. And in June of the same year I found myself waiting in a long line to get in to watch.
But lets get back to great beginnings. Looking at something I recently read by one of our own authors here who now has three books from a series. I'm not sure that his books start the way we advise; however they work for me and quite well. Anyone interested in checking this can search for books by Mark Huntley-James- the Demon Trader series. What works for me is his narrative style is done well and has at least this reader hitting the ground running through the novel at a fair pace. Even through some of the most absurd moments the pace and writing keep me going. There is mature content so if you do look--keep that in mind.
What's really interesting about the three novels is that they all start with the same four words, 'Everyone has their demons,' perhaps this could be considered an introduction; however whatever it is it still works no matter how redundant it might appear.
But let's hit something more well known.
Douglas Adams, who also writes of the absurd, begins his novel with something before chapter 1 that might be an introduction that is quite successful in setting the mood and introducing the narrative style, setting the reader up for the many interesting segues that happen throughout.
It's written well with an interesting if somewhat absurd inciting incident.
The point is; no matter what you do, if it is written well, it will be read and appreciated.
If you boggle it up(usually by following too much well intended advice)that's another matter entirely.
