Present-Tense vs Past-Tense - Writers Forum

Eiji Tunsinagi · 07-09-2004, 09:45 AM

Personally, I've notice that more writers works are in present tense (I hope you know what this is) and I think it sounds better than past tense, for some reason. Its hard to get used to, but makes action and narratives sound much more 'lively' I guess you could say....but is there anyone that doesnt like present tense? I'd just wanna know...

eleutheromaniac · 07-09-2004, 10:32 AM

"(I hope you know what this is)"

No, please explain it to me. I haven't graduated from elementary school yet. (I hope you know what sarcasm is.) In the future, try not to insult people's intelligence, especially if you want them to reply to your posts. Now that that is out of the way....

Generally, essays are written in past-tense to convey a more formal, unemotional approach. It creates distance between the subject matter and the reader. Present tense is best used when you want to draw the reader into the action, which is why it is used so often in fictional writing. But I've found that the tense doesn't matter nearly as much as the quality of the writing and subject matter.

thelatemitchellwarren · 07-09-2004, 10:38 AM

Professionals in the industry frown upon
present tense in fiction.

Virtually every mainstream hit will contain
past tense, with occasional first-person
present tense commentary.

Actual present tense prose in mainstream
fiction, I find, is rare.

DawnMorningStar · 07-10-2004, 02:22 AM

This brings up an interesting question. After reading the responses, I'm thinking of altering the story I'm working on just a tad. My personal experience has been that most novels are written in the past tense as opposed to present tense.

In any case, my story is being written in the past tense and I don't plan to change that. However, there are certain small scenes every now and then that jump back to the present, and I'm thinking now that I just might write them in present tense, as I think that it will set the scenes happening in "today's" timing apart from the rest of the story. I was thinking also that this would help keep the reader from becoming confused.

Does anyone know if this would be an acceptable format to a publisher? And do you think that it really would make the reading easier, or would it only serve to confuse?

Eiji Tunsinagi · 07-10-2004, 10:01 AM

If theres a clear line between the switch in tense, an it works, then you should be able to do it.

Wyndham · 07-11-2004, 03:47 PM

I think the present tense can be overpowering in an entire novel. Some can pull it off, but I think the immediacy of the emotions can feel draining to the reader.

My most recently published short story is in the first person, however, because I found it a more powerful way to deal with emotional issues, and I think it's easier to take in a shorter (about 4000 words) piece. It was actually the first time I tried it, and I found it very difficult. I kept drifting back to the past tense without realizing it. I also found it difficult to come up with good, descriptive words while still making it sound like someone speaking in everyday language. If your main character is not a writer or a poet, that's hard. And you have to make sure it doesn't end up to be simply, I do this; I do that.

"I pour the milk in the cereal. Then I eat it." Snore

AdamR · 07-12-2004, 07:01 PM

In my opinion, the past tense is much easier to write. However, I don't feel it conveys thoughts and emotions as well as the present tense. The present tense is more difficult to write for me, but I prefer to use it for most of my work.

Every author has their style. Some can write in the present tense and create a masterpiece, while they couldn't have written in the past. It also highly depends of the theme and type of writing. Both have their great place.