The first chapter of a novel needs to do some heavy lifting to start the story. Once you realize that what needs to be done follows a fairly clear format, it makes light work of the task. 

• to put your reader into the world (location/setting/era)
• to pose a question the reader wants to get an answer for (create mystery or intrigue)
• to introduce the main character
• to set the mood
• to kickstart the plot development

But what's essential for a story to start in the space between you and the reader?

In the video with this blog, you'll find a clip from a lesson with Justin Cronin in which he describes the basic layout as:

• where and when are we?
• who are the major players?
• what's the point of view?
• What's the story's larger moral and cultural setting?

"There's nothing wrong with just flat out declaring this information at the start of a narrative. I...