MG -- Past or Present Tense?

Rolling Thunder · Mar 1, 2012

When I decided to start my latest MG novel a few months ago I thought present tense/first person would be a challenge, and it is. I found two other threads in this forum regarding tense. Only one was related to MG novels:

http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=230529&highlight=tense

My question is which tense (past or present) seems more readily acceptable to agents and editors in the present market?

Cyia · Mar 1, 2012

The usual advice is to use whichever serves the story best, but to be honest, I can't think of a single MG in present tense. Most in that range seem to be 3rd past. (Though Riordan's books are in 1st.)

owlion · Mar 1, 2012

I'd personally like it. I quite like present tense books

I'm not sure how marketable it is, though (even some magazines I've submitted to have specified they want stories not in present tense). I also write present tense YA stuff, but I think that's more usual.

In the end, you could try writing it present tense and, if it doesn't work, reword it to past tense.

MJWare · Mar 1, 2012

I've written some shorts in present tense (first person), it's not easy. But there are times when I felt it worked best. It makes the action much more immediate. And, while I can't think of any MG present tense books, I'm sure there are some (I know there's YA).

I always recommend writing what you gut tells you and then worry about getting it right in the revision process. At some point though, I would try a rewrite in the past tense to see if you can get it to work, if only because I think it would make getting an agent easier (i'm assuming you don't have one yet).

Once you have one you can always say, hey, I wrote this in present-tense and I really like it better that way, can you take a look?

Polenth · Mar 1, 2012

I can't speak for agents and editors, but present tense is very unusual among the middle grade books on my shelf. I think 'Zombie Tag' may be the only one.

Rolling Thunder · Mar 1, 2012

No agent yet, Mware. But I've been googling today and I'm finding there isn't much MG in present tense. I'm also seeing a lot of editors complaining about first person/present tense in their slush.

Not a good sign.

heza · Mar 1, 2012

I haven't read anything in present tense, but half of what's in my hand right now (The Bartimaeus Trilogy) is written in ~~present~~ first (is what I meant to say).

I have two MG WIPs going at the moment. One is third and one is first. Neither is in present, though.

sissybaby · Mar 1, 2012

I know quite a bit of YA seems to be in present tense, and it drives me nuts to read. For whatever reason, I just don't like it. maybe I haven't read the right ones yet.

First person is fine, but I'm not an advocate of present tense.

My $0.02.

Smish · Mar 1, 2012

I write in present tense. It's what comes naturally to me. If you write an excellent novel with unique characters and a strong plot, agents and editors - and more importantly, readers - are not going to care if it's written in present tense.

wampuscat · Mar 1, 2012

sissybaby said:
I know quite a bit of YA seems to be in present tense, and it drives me nuts to read. For whatever reason, I just don't like it. maybe I haven't read the right ones yet.

First person is fine, but I'm not an advocate of present tense.

It definitely works better in some books than others.

I do wonder if the influx of present tense in YA will trickle down to MG sooner rather than later.

MJWare · Mar 1, 2012

I had to go back and check Zombie Tag, just read it a few weeks ago and didn't realize it was in the present tense. I guess that means Hanna handled it really well.

Rolling Thunder · Mar 1, 2012

wampuscat said:
...

I do wonder if the influx of present tense in YA will trickle down to MG sooner rather than later.

I believe it has all ready, which is what concerned me most. Cheryl Klein, a senior editor at http://www.arthuralevinebooks.com, seems to prefer MG in past tense. (Also note, http://www.arthuralevinebooks.com/submission.asp accepts unsolicited snail mail queries for MG/YA/Picture Books.) Sure, there are other opinions, but if more editors aren't interested in MG present/first... it's a hurdle I'd prefer to avoid

I'm still searching other blogs by writers, agents, and editors. Writers seem to be split on the subject, so there's a lot of information to wade through.

b_radom · Mar 1, 2012

I used to write in alternating present and past tense. An early draft of my current book was like that, and it wasn't well-received. Maybe it was because all of the present tense parts were happening after the main action of the book, but it might also have been that I wasn't used to first person. That book is neither first nor present anymore, and I have a lot more hope for it, now.

Morrell · Mar 1, 2012

A few great examples of present tense MG:
Al Capone Does My Shirts
Shug
The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z
13 Gifts
Rules

sissybaby · Mar 2, 2012

Went to the library yesterday and grabbed three of their new MG books. One is May B by Caroline Starr (I hope that's right).

Anyway, I read it last night, and it is a wonderful book - written in present tense. The style isn't the typical narrative style, however, it's written more like verse, but she does an amazing job.

So I guess I need to backtrack and say that I do like first person present tense, but only if it's done well.

MG -- Past or Present Tense?

Rolling Thunder

Cyia

Rewriting My Destiny

owlion

Absorbing inspiration from the moon

MJWare

Kidlit gang, Junior member.

Polenth

Mushroom

Rolling Thunder

heza

sissybaby

Smish

Reads more than she writes.

wampuscat

Recovering adjective addict

MJWare

Kidlit gang, Junior member.

Rolling Thunder

b_radom

Calculating the odds

Morrell

sissybaby