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Two pieces of the best information for writing that I ever received. It took me while to work out what it really meant. I hope this helps you.

Start in the action and stay there.
If it doesn't move the plot forward, axe it.

What do I mean? I'll tell you. As a fiction editor for an online publisher I have edited hundreds of short stories and novels. I spend the majority of my time in the story set up. The start needs to grab me in some way. I always feel if you get the start right, you have most of the battle won. Once you get readers to buy into your storyline and characters, you can make any story work.

The biggest and most constant 'glitch' I come across is the backstory info-dump at the start. All the cute things about the character traits, or the weather, or how 'funny' they can be with their friends. No, No, No, No. YOU need all this written down as a writer to identify your characters. You absolutely do, it's how we learn about them as writers. Readers do not need all this. So learn to edit it out and replace it with action.

You show a reader what a character is like as they go through their conflicts. It doesn't have to be a romance, all stories need conflict, internal or external, to fuel a story to the end. The longer the story, the more conflicts you need. It's how a character reacts to situations, their thoughts, mannerisms, habits, words, and actions that let a reader know what they are like.

So back to my point. Identify your hook. Imagine if you had to describe your story in only a few sentences. That is the hook. Then start as close to a point of conflict as you can. If it is a romance, and the Hero/heroine are flung together after a plane crash on a desert island, start the second they have the plane crash. Let them meet as soon as possible into the story. Don't tell us what she is packing and how she woke up after a dream and is running late. How she did her hair, what her best friend did last night, blah, blah, blah.

No need for it. You can filter that stuff in as you go.

As the plane lurched all the fears Jane suffered before boarding seemed to come true. A strong arm went around her waist and stopped her from falling. The complete stranger towered over her, but another violent shift of the plane made her grip him in desperation. She landed on top of him as the impossible angle the plane formed as it plummeted threw them to the floor.

As if instinctual, she curled her body to his as they formed the natal position.

"Dear Lord let us live through this,"

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