Advice, on how to start a novel that takes place at academy

[Shimmitar]

The title says it all. I already wrote the book, i started with an explosive scene, where the main character is fighting his rival. But one of my friends that read a little bit of it, said that it was to explosive. And yes, the book is about an academy.

[Crono91]

There's no way anyone is really going to be able to answer this question without more aspects of your story.

However, general rule of thumb, start your story off with something interesting. People can make the mistake of believing that if they begin it with the most over the top explosion it will get people's attention, but if the movement has no meaning, the reader will pick up on it instantly. Then it will just turn into one of those boring action movie beginnings.

For instance, I had an opening for a book that went,

I couldn't wait to die.

There's no action in that, but it's interesting and hooks readers into wondering what that could be all about. That's the goal you're looking to achieve.

Having a page long fist fight without any real purpose isn't the way to go.

[TwoStepCharlie]

[FloydCrissman]

I truly agree with all the above replies. Writing the starting line for your novel is an overwhelming task. It will all depend on what type of novel you are going to write, whether the novel states about some simple fact, introduce voice, eternal principle or any other.