A great summary of how every novel should begin:

As far as beginning the novel in general, I think the surest formula (regardless of genre) goes something like this:

1. Grabber first sentence

2. Provocative first paragraph. This can range all the way from high action to quiet narrative, but it should (A) impart pieces of compelling knowledge while (B) giving rise to multiple intriguing questions.

3. First pages of continued high interest in present story (not jumping to a backstory scene), leading to

4. Inciting incident at end of chapter, with final

5. Hook

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