What tense should you write in

jessbeth

I've a few ideas for a story. I've always enjoyed writing my own stuff. I've never let anybody read anything that I've written and I don't claim to be good either

I was wondering if anybody could give me some advice regarding writing a story. Is there a certain tense that it's better to use? What I mean is, is it better to always write in the past tense or the present tense?

I would appreciate any advice people might have.

Thanks

Hellm0

Was actually looking into this myself earlier, pretty much the same situation. The consensus is that you can write in pretty much any tense you want so long as you stay consistent.

That said, many folks seem to be of the opinion that it is easier to write (fiction at least) in the past tense as most stories are told from a present perspective (IE looking back at the time...)

As for vocalization, he/she/they SAID seems to be the order of the day however whatever past tense verb (IE he shouted, she yelled, they chanted etc) you want I'm sure will work, dependent upon mood/context.

Of course I am no expert and such.

jessbeth

Hey thanks so much for the reply. I was thinking that past tense is probably the easiest. I'm just not quite sure how to get started. I guess I'll just write all the ideas down and then dive write in, it's not like I want to be famous. I'll be pleased it I like the story myself.

Hellm0

jessbeth wrote: »

Hey thanks so much for the reply. I was thinking that past tense is probably the easiest. I'm just not quite sure how to get started. I guess I'll just write all the ideas down and then dive write in, it's not like I want to be famous. I'll be pleased it I like the story myself.

I have similar problems myself. One thing I like to do is to take a notepad or open a document on zee laptop and just start writing out buzzword's and themes. I also try to write out character biographies so flesh out people and get to know them before they say a word in a story. Might seem like a laborious amount of preparation but it at least gets you thinking about where a story is going.

Good luck anyway:)

jessbeth

Hellm0 wrote: »

I have similar problems myself. One thing I like to do is to take a notepad or open a document on zee laptop and just start writing out buzzword's and themes. I also try to write out character biographies so flesh out people and get to know them before they say a word in a story. Might seem like a laborious amount of preparation but it at least gets you thinking about where a story is going.

Good luck anyway:)

I do the same thing. I tend to get carried away and then end up keeping myself awake getting engrossed in my characters that don't yet exist.

Antilles

Write something in an unusual tense to challenge yourself!

Try something in second person future tense!

Matt Holck

Hellm0 wrote: »

Was actually looking into this myself earlier, pretty much the same situation. The consensus is that you can write in pretty much any tense you want so long as you stay consistent.

That said, many folks seem to be of the opinion that it is easier to write (fiction at least) in the past tense as most stories are told from a present perspective (IE looking back at the time...)

As for vocalization, he/she/they SAID seems to be the order of the day however whatever past tense verb (IE he shouted, she yelled, they chanted etc) you want I'm sure will work, dependent upon mood/context.

Of course I am no expert and such.

a problem arises when shifting point of views
while in the narrative, past tense works fine
but from the character's point of view present tense seems more functional

dylan1969

Write like your telling a story in a police station. That should account for every detail in past tense!!

jessbeth

dylan1969 wrote: »

Write like your telling a story in a police station. That should account for every detail in past tense!!

I haven't had any experience in the police station

The Mad Hatter

I think it depends on the situation, and on your own preferences. Present tense can give more of an immediacy to everything, but past tense is better for sort of 'classic' storytelling. Some contemporary literature is known for switching tenses frequently.

An abandoned NaNoWriMo novel about a musician that I was writing was written in the past tense, except for concerts, which were written in present.

We, sorry, hope that ramble helps.

Antilles

The Mad Hatter wrote: »

An abandoned NaNoWriMo novel about a musician that I was writing was written in the past tense, except for concerts, which were written in present.

Aye, the only time I've seen present tense done well as anything other than a very short story is when its a break from the past tense of the rest of the novel, being used to change the pace and tone of the story.

lemon_sherbert

The novel Saturday, by Ian McEwan is written in the present tense, and as it all takes place within 24 hours, it really aids the pace and its a great example of writing. But then I'd agree, generally past tense works best, unless it's written by a master, or used intermittently as a plot device.

Matt Holck

We will not let this sheet torn from our eyes
allow our anger to rise.
Though many are shaking that one was taken
right from under our eyes.
I tell you that goblins
escaped down holes.
We'll find everyone one of them
and each of them close
and bring our proud city
back into control.

dylan1969

jessbeth wrote: »

I haven't had any experience in the police station

Maybe you should commit a crime then!!

A good one!!
It should make a good story for your writing !!

rockbeer

Present tense is difficult to sustain over a long period. It's also very limiting as pretty much everything has to happen in real time once you start out that way. It's very difficult to manage flashbacks, time-shifts etc. That's why it tends to work best for short stories or very particular constructions like Saturday mentioned above.

Having said that, it could be very effective to use a mixture of present and past tense for a novel where parts of the action happen in real time and parts in flash back, or for a particular character if you're using multiple pov. As long as you make it clear to the reader which is which, this can be a useful way to differentiate between various parts of the story.

If you're just starting out I'd kick off in the past tense and see how you get on. It'll probably feel more natural. As you get more confidence you'll start to see when and how selective use of the present tense can improve your work.

Don't let it stop you writing.

fabbydabby

I read a book about a WW2 Spitfire pilot. The entire thing was written in the present tense.It was a little distracting at first but it really worked well for the action sequences.

I think it can work very well for short stories also but I don't know about novels. I would agree with the post above that says it is harder to keep it consistent than simple past tense.

Anyone else care to shed any light or furnish an opinion on the Bob Said Vs Said Bob issue? I would be inclined to use the latter.

"Let's go", said Bob.

It just seems more natural to me.

The Mad Hatter

fabbydabby wrote: »

I read a book about a WW2 Spitfire pilot. The entire thing was written in the present tense.It was a little distracting at first but it really worked well for the action sequences.

I think it can work very well for short stories also but I don't know about novels. I would agree with the post above that says it is harder to keep it consistent than simple past tense.

Anyone else care to shed any light or furnish an opinion on the Bob Said Vs Said Bob issue? I would be inclined to use the latter.

"Let's go", said Bob.

It just seems more natural to me.

That depends on where in the sentence the quote occurs.

'Let's go', said Bob.

Bill answered, 'No, I'm happy here.'

fabbydabby

Yes but the impression I got from one of the earlier posts was that Bob said was always the way to go.

"Let's go", Bob said.
"Good idea", Bill agreed.


Michael Crichton writes like that. Or at least he did in the one or two I read of his back in the day. Seems a bit odd?

The Mad Hatter

Eugh, no.

I think if you can quote it from a piece of literature that's more than a hundred years old, then it's allowed.:D

*opens Through the Looking Glass*

Hunh. Apparently I'm wrong. At least here, Carroll mixes and matches.

'Seven years and six months!' Humpty Dumpty repeated thoughtfully. An uncomfortable sort of age. Now if you'd asked my advice, I'd have said "leave off at seven" - but it's too late now.'
'I never ask advice about growing,' Alice said indignantly.
'Too proud?' the other enquired.
Alice felt even more indignant at this suggestion, 'I mean,' she said, 'that one can't help growing older.'
'One can't, perhaps,' said Humpty Dumpty; 'but two can. With proper assistance, you might have left off at seven.'

MojoMaker

Virtually all prose is a mix of past and preent tense, use both liberally but only when appropriate. Read everything as you are writing and make sure the dialogue is something you'd like to hear, and the narrative something you'd like to read.