Notice how every science fiction movie or television show starts with a shot of the location where the story is about to occur. Movies that take place in outer space always start with a shot of stars and a starship. Movies that take place on another world always start with a shot of that planet. This is to let you know where you are.
Novels and stories start the same way. You have to give the reader a sense of where he is and what’s happening as quickly as possible. You don’t want to start the story by confusing the reader.
Novels and stories start the same way. You have to give the reader a sense of where he is and what’s happening as quickly as possible. You don’t want to start the story by confusing the reader.
~ David Gerrold