Past or Present Tense?

[DaisyMama]

Which do you prefer writing in? What are the advantages, as you see them, to each tense?

[kriswrite]

It's generally acknowledged that present tense is best; it makes the writing seem more fresh and alive and interesting. However, there are times when writing in present tense is artificial and does nothing more than distract the reader.

It's up to the writer to decide which is the case, but a good general rule is this: If you were talking instead of writing, would the tense sound strange? If so, you should use whatever sounds more natural.

Kristina

[Lookin^Up]

I prefer past tense myself, so the narrator is telling what has already happened, but there are merits to present tense, too, for the reasons Kristina stated. But those rare times when I try a present-tense story, I find myself slipping into past every once in awhile without noticing.

[DaisyMama]

Thanks for the input! It's funny, Kristina, that you say present tense is "generally accepted" as best. After I posted my question, I did some googling on the matter and came across an old thread on another message board where they discussed the same thing. In that thread, the posters were almost unanimous in favor of past tense. For reading and for writing.

I agree that present tense puts the reader "in" the action a little more. It's more immediate, and more emotional. Past tense, on the other hand, gives the reader a layer of insulation from the story, because it's already happened. One of my favorite authors uses present tense for some of her novels (and past tense for others), and I've never found it distracting.

I think for high drama or tension, present tense can be good because it underscores the tension. It seems to me that present tense has a limited usage, where past tense works in any genre/style.

Which do you prefer reading?
Which do you prefer writing?

[Lookin^Up]

Well said, Daisy. !thumbsup!

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

That is most unusual. I have never before heard that present tense is more accepted. Sure it has its place, but I would normally use present tense.

[righter1]

Maybe it's the genre I write for, but I can only think of 3 or 4 books that I've read total (out of the perhaps 1000 or more I've read in my lifetime in that genre) that use present tense. When I've read/listened to them (audiobooks are so wonderful!) it's taken me a while to get used to them and that in and of itself can take me out of the story until I figure out what's going on and why it's distracting.

For non-fiction, though, I think most of what I read is in present tense, but I've come to expect that. :)

[DaisyMama]

I generally write in past tense. But the book I just finished was written in present tense, and when I restarted my latest WIP I found myself instinctively writing in present tense.

I've shifted to past tense, but my brain still wants me to write in present tense. I'm having a hard time deciding, but I want to decide soon because I do NOT want to change my mind later on!

Thanks for all the insight -- I'm still interested to hear what others say, too.

[kriswrite]

I guess I should clarify that present tense is generally preferred unless it sounds out of place, as in the "talking test" I mentioned before.

This is not to say that past tense is necessarily bad. In fact, many times it is the only appropriate tense :)

Kristina

[Phy]

It's generally acknowledged that present tense is best...

For fiction? I think you're wildly mistaken. There are times to use the present tense to capture the 'in-the-heat-of-the-moment' action, but the vast majority of works takes place in the normal 'he did this, she did that' mode versus 'he does this, she does that'.

It would be like saying that the Second Person is the preferred POV. While people do write from that perspective, it simply isn't the norm (and for good reason).

[love2write]

Johne is correct. In fiction, past tense is the norm.

Instead of:
He is riding a horse up the hill, pulls the reins and looks down into the valley.

The novelist should write:
He rode a horse up the hill, pulled the reins and looked down into the valley.

Honestly, to write a novel in present tense will hurt your chances of getting a read from a literary agent or publisher, let alone a contract. All the bestselling authors I have read write in past tense. With non-fiction it may be different.

______________

Rita

[Ransom v. Unman]

A lot of the post-modern and avant garde novellists write in the present tense. Chuck Palahniuk is well known for it, and a few others as well who escape my mind...

But, past tense is usually a safer and more refined route. One which I have not taken. At least, for one of my stories. :o

[mel3]

I love the present tense. I think it has a refreshing sharpness about it but regarding fiction, especially fantasy, past tense suits better. It gives a feeling of age, of something that has happened in a time you were not present. It is more engaging. Warmer.
I am writing a story in present tense first person. Its a challenge to keep it from becoming monotonous:( though I do find it gives a colder, more precise feel to the tone which is exactly what I am going for.
It all really depends on what kind of story you are writing.:)

[righter1]

Honestly, to write a novel in present tense will hurt your chances of getting a read from a literary agent or publisher, let alone a contract. All the bestselling authors I have read write in past tense. With non-fiction it may be different.

I can think of one best-selling author that writes in present tense--at least of the books I read--and even she started out in past tense! That's Patricia Cornwell, and I think only the books she's written since about 2000 or 2002 are in present tense.

[jacks girl]

I'm new at some of these terms that you guys are used to. I never really thought about this before, I usually write like the segment below which is this can someone tell me past or present I would think it was present but I'm not sure. Thanks much sorry it's a bit long but i wanted to paste all of it so not to break off the conversation.

“Hello.” Adam said and for a moment there was no response.
“Is this line clear?” A voice said and Adam sat up quickly, a smile coming to his handsome face. His blue eyes sparkled and he spoke with an air of amusement in his voice.
“One can never truly be sure if a line is clear these days.”
“Well then may be we should meet in person.”
“That’s what I want, unless you’re busy with something.”
“Not these days.” The young man on the phone said and then he went on. “How have you been … Adam is it?”
“Yes it is. And I’ve been fair and you.”
“Bored as usual.”
“Good then you won’t mind coming to the party.”
“I hate parties.”
“But you will like this one.”
“Beautiful women or work?”
“Both.” Adam said.
“Sounds like a plan. Will I need an invitation?”
“No, will I need to wire you some cash.”
“Of course not, I may not be working much but I’m not destitute.”
“Alex is it?”
“Always.” The young man said.
“Do I need to give you the address?”
“There’s no need for insults.” Alex said leaning back looking at the cigar in his hand. “I know where you are … I knew the day you moved in.”
“Well then be here tomorrow around 2 the guests will arrive at 5.”
“Will a costume be necessary?”
“Not unless you want to stand out in the crowd.”
“Oh I won’t a need a costume to do that.” Alex said and he heard the laughter in his old friend’s voice. “It’s good to hear from you … Adam.”
“Get used to it.”
“But it never has suited you.”
“True.” Adam said leaning back in the chair and smiling. “But you’ll get used to it.”
“Till midnight.” Alex said and Adam nodded to himself and moved the phone from his ear. There was no use in speaking another word for Alex was gone. It was his way of saying good-bye, a way of stepping into the past for a few moments and it made Adam smile and he hung up the phone and picked up a glass and made a toast.
“To the game Alex…”;)

[DaisyMama]

Jacks Girl, that's written in past tense. Present tense would be

“Hello.” Adam says and for a moment there is no response.
“Is this line clear?” A voice says and Adam sits up quickly, a smile coming to his handsome face. His blue eyes sparkle and he speaks with an air of amusement in his voice.


It's true that most novels are written in past tense. One of my faves, Jodi Picoult, has written some in past and some in present. And she gets rave reviews for all of her books, but then again she's a great writer. Maybe when you reach that point in your career you can do whatever you want to!

[dulcigal]

“Hello.” Adam said and for a moment there was no response.

First sentence gives the clue, Jacks girl--"said" is past tense: says would be present. Also, "was" is past tense. This would be present tense:

"Hello." Adam says and for a moment there is no responce.

It's happening in the moment, as if a sportscaster were there giving a play-by-play rather than the narrator telling an event that has already happened.

[dulcigal]

:) Daisy you beat me to it!

I've only read a very few (actually, come to think of it, one) books entirely in present tense. And it was hard for me to read, I had to re-gear my brain in order to recieve it. Didn't help that the author decided that she didn't need quotation marks in dialogue!

That all said, I think it can be a clever turn if done well. I've seen it used as a device in writing dreams. I'd really like to see it done well (just haven't yet!)

In CBA, Travis Thrasher (I think) writes in present, but I haven't read any of his books.

[Phy]

I'm new at some of these terms that you guys are used to. I never really thought about this before, I usually write like the segment below which is this can someone tell me past or present I would think it was present but I'm not sure.

It's past tense. The hint is in the first sentence when your character 'said' instead of 'says'. If you were to write it in the present tense, it would go something like this:

"Hello," Adam says, and for a moment there is no response.

The voice on the phone says, "Is this line clear?" Adam sits up quickly and a smile comes to his handsome face. His blues eyes sparkle and he speaks with an air of amusement in his voice.

In your example, everything has just happened. In my example, everything happens right now.

To me, the present tense is fine for brief passages where time ceases to exist. In a current story, the hero has been dropped from a cliff by his best friend. As he falls, time ceases to exist for a brief moment and everything happens in the present tense. It's an artificial tool to lend immediacy to the action.

However, writing in the present tense all the time feels like driving in a car that never gets out of first gear. The engine is wound up and you keep waiting for it to kick into gear, but it never does.

[Phy]

I'm new at some of these terms that you guys are used to. I never really thought about this before, I usually write like the segment below which is this can someone tell me past or present I would think it was present but I'm not sure.

It's past tense. The hint is in the first sentence when your character 'said' instead of 'says'. If you were to write it in the present tense, it would go something like this:

"Hello," Adam says, and for a moment there is no response.

The voice on the phone says, "Is this line clear?" Adam sits up quickly and a smile comes to his handsome face. His blues eyes sparkle and he speaks with an air of amusement in his voice.

In your example, everything has just happened. In my example, everything happens right now.

To me, the present tense is fine for brief passages where time ceases to exist. In a current story, the hero has been dropped from a cliff by his best friend. As he falls, time ceases to exist for a brief moment and everything happens in the present tense. It's an artificial tool to lend immediacy to the action.

However, writing in the present tense all the time feels like driving in a car that never gets out of first gear. The engine is wound up and you keep waiting for it to kick into gear, but it never does.

Edit: Ok, two people beat me to it. You get the idea. ;)

[jacks girl]

Thanks much i see what you are saying I write most everything in past tense then. I like some of you think it is easier to read past tense and it sure is a lot easier to write. I appreciate all of the help, everyone here is always so kind and ready to help and that is one thing i love about this place.