I'm seeing from all of these replies that this might not necessarily be part of the novel, but like the other contest, a prequel of sorts. I don't have to get hung up on it being the start of my story but what informs me as a writer what I am about to convey in the novel with this writing assignment.

It makes me take a step back to look at motivations, what's happening in timeline that sets things in motion when the story actually starts. But, could also be used as reference points, or recounting of what occurred in past to inform what happens in present/novel.

Trying not to over think it (my big flaw). I get tangled up in how I want to present the novel to be written, either in retelling or flashbacks, whether to start the story in the middle and go back and then forward, or go to the ending and find moments to flash back to. Hoping through these assignments I'll get a handle on approach.

It's been an ongoing project to write this novel over a period of years. I don't know what type of narrative approach is going to work for me yet. My omniscient skills are not near god-like. Is there a good third person narrative style to cover up my weakness?

Here I go, asking more questions.