Many write and speak absently about “starts” and “beginnings.”

John started to talk about his feelings for Vera.

Ed began the long trek to the computer repair shop.

Jeanne started to feel as if nobody else cared about the garden.

But unless the narrative concerns the specific point in time or space from which an event commences, starts and beginnings are so much filler. Don't talk about leaving the dock if your story is about the voyage.

John talked about his feelings for Vera.

Ed made the long trek to the computer repair shop.

“Nobody else cares about the garden!”

Save references to starts and beginnings for abrupt changes, turning points, and new actions. Use “started” or “began” to indicate a starting point from which developments expand or contract.

After years in prison, Mario began a new life.

Marco grabbed the top sheet of paper off the tall stack, sighed, and started reading.

Danny paused at the top of the trail and then started down.

The villagers began to collect in the park, arriving one-at-a-time at first, and then in increasingly larger groups, until the last of them had squeezed in to hear Brenda speak.