Tense

I've noticed that I'm much better at writing in present tense than I am in past tense. It actually differs, depending on which point of view I'm using (I'll always use present tense for first person, and then past tense for third), but it's much easier for me to use present tense. I'm also getting into using present tense while in third person, it's something I've never done before until just recently.

I usually write in past tense. I've used present a couple of times, but it's more complicated for me. I usually do that whenever the narrator is remembering things in past tense, then finishes with a couple of paragraphs in the present tense.

I rarely use past tense now, I'm more of a present continuous person :con: It helps you keep up with the characters actions, like like a movie, and sounds more sincere than having a frigid 'he broke his mind and crawled to the corner'. -random i know, yes. To me 'he's breaking his mind and crawling to the corner' sounds more deseperate.
It just fits the tone of my stories, more emotional; shoves you right in the now of the events. I use it in first, second and occasionally third -like in Dancing Bruises.

^ I was just about to come here and write that I want to do some experiments with simple present. But I have a question, what's the diff between simple and continious?

Because as far as I know, simple is like "I walk to the store to get some milk, just like Mom wanted. He comes up behind me, without a word, but I can feel his shadow. I don't know how to react; I don't think I can. And just like that, just as quietly, he presses a gun to my back -- I've seen this gun before -- and whispers into my ear."

And continuous is like "I am walking to the store to get some milk just like Mom asked. He is coming up behind me, without a word, but I can feel his shadow." etc

Because imho, the former works much better. And now I have a prompt for my little experiment. :P

You're right :tehe: But I think it's better if you use contraction with the latter since first person is much like dialogue. It's more rushed, faster and livelier; at least that's the impression I get :con: the first one is a bit more relaxed and calm.

I might try to write in another tense sooner or later, but I'll stick to what I'm good at now.

I usually write in past tense, that's probably the tense I'm most comfortable. But sometimes I'll throw in a story with present tense. They've proven to do me good once and a while. :tehe:

But I have yet to stumble across a story with future tense. Is it even possible, though? I think it is. Just... really hard to pull off.

When I write first person, I like to use past. Sometimes simple present. It depends.

I wrote my newest story, The Back of a Gillikin Farmer's Truck, in present tense. It worked really well with the way the story is written. It's supposed to thrust you into Ryan's head. Like, just straight into his head. Simple and odd first-person narration matched really well with present-tense.

I've written pretty much all my stories in present tense except for Transylvania, which is set in the 18th Century and just seemed weird to be written in present, so I used past tense. It's actually hard for me to write in past tense sometimes as I unconsciously revert back to present as I write. :XD

I just think it helps the flow of the story. It seems very natural for me and especially works well if it's a fact-paced plot.

I tend to write in present tense. I think it draws the reader in more, because even te narrator doesn't know what's going to happen. Anything could happen. Though it takes some getting used to. At first I kept doing things like "I didn't know it was the last time." then going, hang on, she doesn't know that yet.

I used past a lot, but then I realized halfway through I always change tenses and people have to point it out :XD

Now I do present tense, mostly--to try it out, and because words sound better like that. Breaks > broke, for example.

But usually, whatever fits the story.

I have issues with tenses. I mess them up sometimes, especially after I finish reading a Chuck Palahniuk novel. :tehe:

I usually stick with past because that's the safest, but for my story The Kids Flew The Coop, I use present tense. It's a nice change.

Untill I become confident with all the tenses, I'm sticking with past.

I write mostly in past tense. Writing in present tense sounds slightly weird to me.

I wrote a story in present tense last night.
And I was so motivated it turned out to be more than 1300 words, and I haven't finished a thing other than that in like. Months. Almost a year, even.

I've still gotta get someone to look over it, but yeah. I think....it's okay.

I usually write in past tense.

But sometimes I'll use present tense, if it fits the story.

I wrote We're Just Two Boys (and there's nothing boring about the ordinary) in both present and future tense. But it kind of blends in, using both those tenses because

a) it's a short story

b) the story is describing routines and patterns and sometimes is narrating what will happen while something else is going on.

This is probably going to sound stupid but...

Has anyone posted a story in full-on future tense? Can someone link me to some examples if there are any?

I think it's really interesting and I'm a noob. :file:

Venomous.:

This is probably going to sound stupid but...

Has anyone posted a story in full-on future tense? Can someone link me to some examples if there are any?

I think it's really interesting and I'm a noob. :file:

Future tense? Like. He will, rather than "he is" or "he has" or whatever? Is that right? :XD

I read something a little like that ages ago. Most of the story was in present tense, but the very end goes "And Tom will wait five excruciating hours before he'll put that record on, and he'll..." And it goes on a little. I love it. :XD

^ I don't know. :XD It's probably a stupid question.

All I can imagine is 'You will' or basically just using the words 'will' 'is' or 'would'. And I doubt that's right.

[/idiot]