How to write a good beginning

I've been thinking about beginnings a lot lately, as I've begun revising my Nanowrimo book (again!). Please note: if you are first drafting a new project, don't worry about crafting a killer beginning! Just write your crappy first sentence and forge ahead. If you worry too much about a great opening now, it will only slow you down. There is plenty of time to think of this when you're revising.

That said, beginnings are hard. Probably because they are so important: without a good hook to reel t...