On opening pages....

I asked Twitter for blog topics, and Laura suggested what I look for in opening pages. And then, duh, I realized as much time as I spent talking about queries, I haven't even touched on opening pages.

So here's what I look for, more or less in order of importance.

*Tension. This is a must for me. I need some kind of conflict or question that propels me forward-- a reason I just can't put it down. There are too many projects in the slush pile that consist of a character just... walking around ...