Yet we also need to remember that starting a story with the character waking up and doing their thing is frowned upon as overdone (especially if they spend time checking themselves out in the mirror for the reader's benefit)

It's tricky because we want to show what 'normal' looks like before the event or call to action, but so many want there to be an immediate hook when all heck breaks loose (yet ask why should I care about this character?)

Lot of conflicting advice. However with NaNo, and even prep, you have time to flesh it all out. Not every word's a 'keeper' and some scenes may go, or turn into a little flashback later.

Sharon from New Jersey