We have all been told countless times how vital it it to write a good beginning. A beginning is no red carpet, no invitation card… A good beginning grabs the reader by the troath, drags them in, and never lets go until they are properly hooked, and in for the duration…

Yes, we’ve heard it all.

How do you do that, though? By setting the scene, the mood, the voice. By showing the right amount of action, by introducing your characters just so – and, when you are writing historical fiction, by establishing the time period as an interesting place to visit.

Marie Savage wrote this interesting article on the subject, as a guest post for The Bookbinder’s Daughter blog. Check it out – and, while you are there, have a look at this very nice book-blog with an eye for great historical fiction.