User blog comment:AegisIsKing/Stories/@comment-3387274-20150512183523

The kind of start I'd usually use is a large dramatic event that doesen't necessarily involve the main characters, (in my case usually doesen't) which becomes relevant to the main plot at a later date. Things like a character being tracked down and killed off by an apparent villain, or some kind of plan or conspiracy or operation happening. An impact, like you said... I guess what I'm trying to get at is that the impact doesen't need to be explained away imediately afterwards by a flashback, and a flashback might not be needed at all.