Worst way to start a novel?

[serria]

I saw this writing prompt just a moment ago, and it kind of made me laugh. What "opener" pet peeves do you have? I'm kind of sick of symbolic dreams tossed right at the beginning, or characters just waking up. It feels too overdone to have much of an effect on me anymore.

Comments

[dhampyresa]

Honestly, I would rather books start with something happening. Nobody cares if your monarchy is agnatic or cognatic or agnatic-cognatic or whatever, just tell us about the part where the various heirs to the throne punch each other in the face already. Make me care before you lecture me.