Your opinion on present v. past tense - why the hate?

scarletpeaches · Jul 23, 2006

I have noticed a few threads in which people have said they wouldn't even try to read a novel written in present tense if they noticed it on the first page. Others have said it doesn't look or sound or read right, that it feels funny, or that it is unnatural.

I wondered why this is and why so many people feel strongly about not writing in present tense? Most of my submissions up to now have been in present, and I'm unpublished. So, I decided to go with the majority opinion and submit in the past (so to speak).

I find present tense easier to write in, as 'double past tenses' bother me..."She had got/ she had gotten/ he had done that/ he had seen what she did/ had done" and so on.

But I re-jigged my book proposal and shifted it from present to past, so we'll see what happens.

Just wondered why this aversion to present-tense novels, that's all. To me, they're as easy to read as they are to write. But I'm unpublished, so it's better to follow the established rules until I am, I think!

PeeDee · Jul 23, 2006

In terms of writing, I would have to physically focus to write in the present tense, which takes me out of working on the story, which is why I don't do it very often. I did it once, because the story was set to the cadence of a bluegrass song (but you wouldn't have noticed it unless you knew exactly what song I was using; I loved it) because present tense fit the rhythm much better.

In terms of reading, I'll read it if the story is solid. A.A. Attannasio (however you spell his name) wrote "The Dragon and the Unicorn" in present tense, and it's a pretty good book.

Mostly, my prejudice comes from the many stories I've read that are not only in present tense but are terribly amateur. It's something I see a great deal in new writers. I have no idea why. I guess it's biased me a bit.

If the story's there, whether it's past or present tense, I'll read it.

illiterwrite · Jul 23, 2006

I like present tense and like writing in both past and present. I find that present tense is used frequently in literary fiction.

I wouldn't change your writing style based on what people here say, especially if you feel it fits your story.

cwfgal · Jul 23, 2006

I think the aversion exists because there are very few books written in the present tense (because not many authors do it well) and therefore it tends to sound jarring to our ear when we read it. I always notice when something is written in present tense right away; it leaps out at me because it's not what I expect. But if I keep reading, within a paragraph or two I'm no longer aware of the tense (assuming the story is well enough told) and I'm unlikely to remember later on that such-and-such a book was written in present tense.

Personally I like present tense when it's done right. It lends an immediacy to the work that pulls me into the story quicker and deeper.

The rule should always be to use whatever works best for the story.

Beth

scarletpeaches · Jul 23, 2006

I'm not sure the story would be affected either way, illiterwrite. But it's worth changing to past to see if any agents bite. However, I find present comes more naturally to me.

Course, it might just be that my book's crap...

HapiSofi · Jul 23, 2006

A significant fraction of your potential readers find present tense irritating and intrusive. Some of those readers are editors and reviewers. If you can write in past tense, do so.

emeraldcite · Jul 23, 2006

If it's done well, I like either past or present, but I think it's a matter of comfort zone. When you read present tense, you're more aware of style because it goes against the grain so to speak.

Haggis · Jul 23, 2006

PeeDee said:
Mostly, my prejudice comes from the many stories I've read that are not only in present tense but are terribly amateur. It's something I see a great deal in new writers. I have no idea why. I guess it's biased me a bit.

I agree with PeeDee.

Nevertheless, I have read many good stories told in present tense. I just wouldn't feel comfortable trying it myself.

illiterwrite · Jul 23, 2006

scarletpeaches said:
I'm not sure the story would be affected either way, illiterwrite. But it's worth changing to past to see if any agents bite. However, I find present comes more naturally to me.

Course, it might just be that my book's crap...

It'll be interesting to see what happens. Did you just change the query or the whole novel?

(And good luck, BTW.)

scarletpeaches · Jul 23, 2006

I changed the first three chapters, which is all you (traditionally) send in the proposal in the UK. If it's accepted I'll have another 350 or so pages to correct, but I'll be very happy to be landed with such a task! Funny thing is, it's less natural for me to write in past, but it reads just the same.

When people say present leaps off the page at them and jars them out of the story, I think, "Really? If it's written well, it doesn't bother me. How strange."

But, if it bothers an agent, then I change it. If that's what it takes, and it doesn't spoil the book...

Thanks for your good wishes.

JAlpha · Jul 23, 2006

I wrote my novel in present tense, and yes I do know that some people warn it will never sell. But my novel took second place in By-line's Beginning of A Novel Contest. Plus, the editor who reviewed my manuscript at a conference last month, told me she's a big fan of present tense, when it's done well and fits the structure and tone of the story.

And my novel is currently under an exclusive review with an agent after she suggested I make a few changes to the opening. Throughout our correspondence she hasn't even mentioned the subject of tense.

You are the best judge of whether or not the use of present tense is organic to your story. My novel has a number of epistolary elements which are written in past tense, which is why I opted for the main narration to be written in present tense.

Food for thought :Shrug:

scarletpeaches · Jul 23, 2006

Hmm...interesting replies. I honestly don't think tense affects my story, but at the same time I wonder if changing to past would be a form of selling out if my natural 'voice' is present?

I remember years ago, when for a laugh I tried writing in present after spending a while writing in traditional past - and from that moment on it flowed, became far easier to write. Don't know why; it just did.

Well, I'll submit in past and see how it goes. If it doesn't make a difference it's obviously the book itself at fault!

I have to say, though, I find it hard to believe that an agent would turn down a good book merely on tense. Or because their client list was full. If an agent discovers the next BTB or Danielle Steel (in terms of sales, I mean!) I find it very hard to believe something that's easily changed would stop their interest in its tracks.

Anonymisty · Jul 23, 2006

emeraldcite said:
I think it's a matter of comfort zone. When you read present tense, you're more aware of style because it goes against the grain so to speak.

It definitely is a comfort thing for me. About two years ago, I borrowed a book from the library. It was a science fiction novel, highly praised in Locus, and written in the present tense. The premise sounded enticing, and I really tried, but in the end, I never got past the third chapter. The present tense was too hard to sink into, for me.

But that's me. Others may experience different results.

JanDarby · Jul 23, 2006

I find present comes more naturally to me.

The thing is, writing -- once it's in published form, anyway -- is never about the writer. It's about the reader. Doesn't matter whether the writer finds a given technique easy or hard; it matters that a reader finds a given technique easy or hard, pleasant or unpleasant, attention-grabbing or not.

And it's pretty universally acknowledged among those who have an opinion on the matter that readers dislike (or like less) the present tense and, similarly, second person. They're generally happy with either first person or third person, either omniscient or limited third (but not headhopping).

YMMV, but my theory is that if I KNOW I'm automatically excluding or irritating a significant percentage of the limited reading public by using a certain technique, I'd better have a darn good reason for it, something that has to do with the story itself, and not with my own convenience.

JD

aadams73 · Jul 23, 2006

Present tense doesn't bother me a bit especially when it's done amazingly well by writers such as Libba Bray(Read her, she's amazing!) and Jane Green(Her book Mr. Maybe is her best example)

scarletpeaches · Jul 23, 2006

Well. If present gets me compared to the godawful Jane Green I'm changing to past, pronto.

illiterwrite · Jul 23, 2006

JanDarby said:
And it's pretty universally acknowledged among those who have an opinion on the matter
JD

And who is that? Opinionated writers? Or has this been proven somewhere? I'm not trying to be snarky, but I'd like to know where the "universal acknowledgement" comes from. Maybe it's because I read mostly literary fiction, but I seem to see present tense everywhere.

I also can't believe an agent or editor would reject something based on tense alone. If the story and writing are good enough, I would think tense would be easy enough to change, if necessary.

emeraldcite · Jul 23, 2006

And who is that? Opinionated writers? Or has this been proven somewhere? I'm not trying to be snarky, but I'd like to know where the "universal acknowledgement" comes from. Maybe it's because I read mostly literary fiction, but I seem to see present tense everywhere.

I also can't believe an agent or editor would reject something based on tense alone. If the story and writing are good enough, I would think tense would be easy enough to change, if necessary.

Keep in mind, it's all about what sells.

You see present tense everywhere because it stands out, so you notice it quite more often than past tense.

TMA-1 · Jul 23, 2006

I like writing stories in present tense, but really, I have written in both present and past tense.

Begbie · Jul 23, 2006

My present tense novel got me a terrific agent, and we've been getting really positive feedback from editors. Tense is a non-issue. If you feel your novel needs revisions, my opinion is that you should focus on other areas instead of taking the time to switch tenses. I agree with cwfgal's statement: "[Present tense] lends an immediacy to the work that pulls me into the story quicker and deeper."

katiemac · Jul 23, 2006

Some of these links may be helpful, too:

http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showpost.php?p=657737&postcount=19

AnneMarble · Jul 23, 2006

I only like it in angsty YA novels

If a book is something I really want to read, I'll buy it even if it's in present tense, but if it's something I'm unsure of, I might put it back on the shelf if it's in the present tense.

That said, I have read some YA novels written in the present tense (mainly problem novels), and in most cases, it really worked for me there. Mostly, these were "problem novels." So I guess it can add immediacy to the story, or something.

(There was a fantasy novel I returned to the store unread because it turned out to be in the present tense, but there may have been other issues...)

blacbird · Jul 23, 2006

I think the main reason present tense narration tends to irritate me (when it does, which is not always) is its common combination with first-person POV, and most of what I see using that particular combination of narrative tools tends to be introspective twaddle. I also think it works better in short fiction than in novels, with exceptions. It can get cloying pretty fast.

caw.

aadams73 · Jul 23, 2006

scarletpeaches said:
Well. If present gets me compared to the godawful Jane Green I'm changing to past, pronto.

LOL! I really hate where she is going with all these "mommy" books, but she does first person present very well.

Summonere · Jul 23, 2006

mudgeoning the cur

I’ve sold stories written in present tense. I’ve even sold stories written in a combination of present tense and past tense. Thus it seems not to have been a hindrance for me, nor even for the editors who bought those stories.

Of course this means I find the antipathy regarding present tense utterly bizarre and freakish -- which may be how antipathy-afflicted readers regard my work in such tense, which may explain why I’ve not yet had an opportunity to wallpaper my house with hundred dollar bills.

So it goes.

Yet to write a story in present tense merely because one can doesn’t seem a good enough reason to do so. I had my reasons -- fooling with time and readers’ perceptions thereof -- other writers no doubt have theirs. Still, I won’t turn up my nose at present tense stories that don’t, as far as I can tell, have clear reason for existing in present tense.

The solution for writers wondering if they should write in present or past tense is, of course, simple. Write like a genius. You’ll be forgiven your oddities.

Your opinion on present v. past tense - why the hate?

scarletpeaches

PeeDee

Where's my tea, please...?

illiterwrite

cwfgal

On the rocks

scarletpeaches

HapiSofi

Hagiographically Advantaged

emeraldcite

Art is Resistance

Haggis

Evil, undead Chihuahua

illiterwrite

scarletpeaches

JAlpha

Smilie Fanatic

scarletpeaches

Anonymisty

JanDarby

aadams73

A Work in Progress

scarletpeaches

illiterwrite

emeraldcite

Art is Resistance

TMA-1

Begbie

Quite a character

katiemac

Five by Five

AnneMarble

Nefarious Ghost Fan

blacbird

aadams73

A Work in Progress

Summonere