There is no perfect answer. Like CD and Hitchcock before him (or was that someone else?) said, starting off with an earthquake and progressing from there is always a viable fallback.
You want the readers to stick around for whatever boring exposition you need to pull later on, after all.
So, Carpe Jugulum and all that.
Also, it might be helpful to know how you want to end the story. Then you can work your way back to the beginning.
Hell, you can even present things like that. Start at the end, or what comes a bit after the end, then segue to the beginning and continue through the middle ... go play either of the May Payne games to see this way of narration in action.
-Griever
When tact is required, use brute force. When force is required, use greater force.
When the greatest force is required, use your head. Surprise is everything. - The Book of Cataclysm
You want the readers to stick around for whatever boring exposition you need to pull later on, after all.
So, Carpe Jugulum and all that.
Also, it might be helpful to know how you want to end the story. Then you can work your way back to the beginning.
Hell, you can even present things like that. Start at the end, or what comes a bit after the end, then segue to the beginning and continue through the middle ... go play either of the May Payne games to see this way of narration in action.
-Griever
When tact is required, use brute force. When force is required, use greater force.
When the greatest force is required, use your head. Surprise is everything. - The Book of Cataclysm