tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post4845721351563004300..comments2023-12-26T18:33:04.681-08:00Comments on Writability: Why Use Past Tense?Gabe (Ava Jae)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04778524723148508140noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-85690978387723477772013-06-12T19:34:03.845-07:002013-06-12T19:34:03.845-07:00Glad to hear it! Thanks, Deanna!Glad to hear it! Thanks, Deanna!Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-61299330085153047482013-06-09T13:46:08.797-07:002013-06-09T13:46:08.797-07:00Awesome post. Exactly what I was looking for.Awesome post. Exactly what I was looking for.Deanna Burkettnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-66611800642737640842012-01-22T08:17:37.221-08:002012-01-22T08:17:37.221-08:00The Hunger Games is an excellent start with presen...<i>The Hunger Games</i> is an <i>excellent</i> start with present tense. I adore that series and intend to re-read it before the movie releases in March. :D Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-8744796446805083582012-01-22T07:42:58.947-08:002012-01-22T07:42:58.947-08:00Wow, I must be so smart. Answering my own question...Wow, I must be so smart. Answering my own questions without realising it xD<br /> <br />Well, I've planned to read The Hunger Games before the movie comes out. That's a good start with the present tense, isn't it?JFeijtenhttp://writersdraft.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-56330796495554145992012-01-22T07:02:20.595-08:002012-01-22T07:02:20.595-08:00I actually think you answered both of your questio...I actually think you answered both of your questions, interestingly enough. <br /><br />For the first question, I'd point to what you said about present tense: "I tend to find the present tense a bit weird, both writing and reading." A lot of writers and readers prefer past tense--it often comes more naturally when being written and when being read. Present tense can call attention to itself and some readers simply despise it. <br /><br />I've found that more recently there's been a surge of novels written in present tense, especially in YA. If you'd like to give some a try, I recommend the ones I mentioned in my first tense post. :) <br /><br />As for your second question, you answered that one as well: "It would be weird, but probably possible." Would it technically make sense? No, not really, unless the protagonist is somehow telling his story from the afterlife. Has it happened in literature? Probably. Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-86035495099786915732012-01-21T11:17:35.247-08:002012-01-21T11:17:35.247-08:00It's interesting, because I've found that ...It's interesting, because I've found that there are a lot of people like you that have trouble reading present tense, but that very rarely (in fact I've never heard of a case) goes the other way. Have you encountered any stories written in present tense that you enjoyed? Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-15070036516314593732012-01-21T11:15:13.712-08:002012-01-21T11:15:13.712-08:00First of all: thanks a lot for writing blog entrie...First of all: thanks a lot for writing blog entries on the past-present subject! It was very interesting to read them. <br /><br />What I wonder: if present tense gets you closer to the reader, why is it then that I've read much more novels in the past tense? Are most writers just playing easy? Or have I read the wrong novels? <br /><br />I tend to find the present tense a bit weird, both writing and reading. Having said that I'm as easily drawn into a present tense novel as in a past tense novel, if it's a good one. <br /><br />Also: if past tense means that you're telling a story that has already happened, can the storyteller then die or not? It would be weird, but probably possible. For example, I'm reading Game of Thrones by George RR Martin at the moment and it's written in the past tense through several POV's. I can't believe that none of the POV characters will die. That would be totally anti-Martin. JFeijtenhttp://writersdraft.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-11799309182161376592012-01-19T04:14:50.234-08:002012-01-19T04:14:50.234-08:00Past tense is much easier for me to read. I don...Past tense is much easier for me to read. I don't notice it and focus entirely on the story. A good writer draws me right in. <br />Present tense is usually a little obvious, or self-conscious, and calls attention to itself. Certainly it can be done well, but it's rare for me to lose myself in it.Ellishttp://www.ellisvidler.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-68665560655423382182012-01-17T04:55:03.489-08:002012-01-17T04:55:03.489-08:00I agree that second person would be much m ore dif...I agree that second person would be much m ore difficult to keep up with in longer works, but I've read a few novels written in present tense that worked really well. If you're interested, <i>Shatter Me</i> by Tahereh Mafi, <i>The Girl of Fire and Thorns</i> by Rae Carson, <i>The Hunger Games</i> by Suzanne Collins and <i>Across the Universe</i> by Beth Revis all use present tense and are (in my opinion) pretty fantastic reads. Of course, it depends on what kind of book you like. :) <br /><br />I won't deny that present tense tends to be a little more difficult to get into, especially if you haven't read present-tense novels before, but I think it certainly has some merits that make it a great tense to experiment with. Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-23829881006057436472012-01-17T04:14:42.037-08:002012-01-17T04:14:42.037-08:00I much prefer past tense for reading and writing a...I much prefer past tense for reading and writing as a general rule. Present tense lends a sense of immediacy, but as you mentioned, past tense lends a sense of reflectiveness. I tend to prefer the latter. As the commenter above mentioned, I think present tense can work in shorter works, but in longer works I think it's hard to keep up with. The same goes for second person. The short story "Orientation" is a great example of a short story that uses both of the above, but I can't see either method working for a novel length work. There might be an exception out there I haven't seen yet, granted.<br /><br />In general I think it's important to question and consider what methods we use to tell a story. I'm certainly willing to try present tense to prove myself wrong. I'm just not sold on it.Vivien Weaverhttp://twitter.com/VivienWeavernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-82885437232341105032012-01-16T14:58:59.730-08:002012-01-16T14:58:59.730-08:00I initially only wrote in past tense, but once I s...I initially only wrote in past tense, but once I started experimenting with present tense I found that I really enjoyed it. It doesn't work for everything, but when it does it can be pretty fun to play around with. <br /><br />And thank you! I was a little saddened that it ended up so small when I uploaded it, but I'm happy you were able to enjoy it nonetheless. :)Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-22066726615885112562012-01-16T14:13:13.132-08:002012-01-16T14:13:13.132-08:00I've never really considered writing in the pr...I've never really considered writing in the present tense. Nothing against it, it's just never come to mind. Past tense all the way for me. <br /><br />Also, I love the "happy reader" graph. I just wanted to say that.Daniel Swensenhttp://www.surlymuse.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-68780356611608962412012-01-16T12:54:08.843-08:002012-01-16T12:54:08.843-08:00The more I think about it, the more I don't ha...The more I think about it, the more I don't have a clue! It's possible that (subconsciously) I prefer the immediacy of present tense for shorter stories, to get the ball rolling quickly, but there's more space in longer ones to let it breathe and past tense becomes more accessible. That's only a guess, though - if anyone has any other theories I'd be more than happy to hear them!Karen de Langehttp://twitter.com/karen_delangenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-28175085106356312722012-01-16T12:43:55.954-08:002012-01-16T12:43:55.954-08:00I hadn't thought of this either, but I think I...I hadn't thought of this either, but I think I prefer past tense for that more storybook feel.Single Momhttp://singlemomweekly.com/home-biz-get-free-reportnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-88086004813453863652012-01-16T12:28:37.982-08:002012-01-16T12:28:37.982-08:00That's really interesting! I can't say len...That's really interesting! I can't say length has ever dictated what tense I write in, but that's pretty interesting to think about. Do you have any idea why that is?Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-59581606526526619582012-01-16T10:55:21.801-08:002012-01-16T10:55:21.801-08:00I have a preference that I've noticed but not ...I have a preference that I've noticed but not analysed too closely before - I tend to use past tense on longer stories (5000 words plus) but present tense on anything shorter. What's that about? Not sure...Karen de Langenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-38592504716853226442012-01-16T07:38:12.381-08:002012-01-16T07:38:12.381-08:00I'm a fan of present tense myself. The immedia...I'm a fan of present tense myself. The immediacy is something I really enjoy working with. Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-72712581796610266942012-01-16T07:37:38.229-08:002012-01-16T07:37:38.229-08:00All my long fiction is written in past tense. And ...All my long fiction is written in past tense. And I prefer to read past tense. But I will read present tense books -I if done well.Kristahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10348921731053503531noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-66165673763192271412012-01-16T07:34:54.843-08:002012-01-16T07:34:54.843-08:00As a non-fiction writer I prefer using the present...As a non-fiction writer I prefer using the present tense whenever I can. It feels more immediate and, well, friendlier. I allows each reader to feel as though he or she is part of the action. Daphne Gray-Granthttp://www.publicationcoach.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-39555461271302855732012-01-16T06:07:25.679-08:002012-01-16T06:07:25.679-08:00You know, that's a really interesting point I ...You know, that's a really interesting point I hadn't thought of, so I'm glad you brought it up. I suppose in the end it comes down to our personal reading experience--some people are more likely to question why the character is narrating things going on <i>now</i> and other people (like you, I would assume) question why the character is telling the story in the first place. No reader reads the same way. :)Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-74438562185993713482012-01-16T06:04:31.081-08:002012-01-16T06:04:31.081-08:00I'm going to disagree with you on one thing, t...I'm going to disagree with you on one thing, though I appreciate I might be unusual in this opinion; I don't think past tense feels intrinsically more natural. When I'm reading a past-tense novel, I always feel a slight nagging need to know *why* they're telling the story, and in what context (unless, like for example in 'The Name of the Wind' or 'The Duncton Chronicles', the book actually gives that context). Whereas with present tense, I feel like I'm getting a transcription of the character's experiences (as opposed to them just speaking them out as they go).Rik Davnallhttp://twitter.com/eatthepennoreply@blogger.com