snare drums and CONUNDRUMS

Madison · Feb 25, 2008

I'm embarking on an adventure! (c/o the keyboard and my imagination). I'm beginning my next WIP, a YA historical fiction.

but i have a conundrum. see, i love present tense with a passion. i know it can be awkward and everything, and lots of people don't like it. but i feel i can write best with it.

unfortunately, historical fiction and present tense just really don't seem to match. my one argument for their mixture is that history doesn't have to just be in the past - it can be alive today, relevant, exciting, etc. hence...present tense?

could i get away with historical fiction in present tense, or should I stick to the past?

Jenan Mac · Feb 25, 2008

I don't have a problem with when the present tense takes place. I just haven't found any writers I like well enough to tolerate it, except Alice Hoffman.

IceCreamEmpress · Feb 25, 2008

Of course you can write historical fiction in the present tense. If you're writing in the first person, that is.

In the third person, I don't think it works very well. To wit:

Johnny Tremain is buckling on his horse's saddle. He's on his way to the Old North Church to meet up with Paul Revere. The taciturn silversmith is expecting the Redcoats to invade at any moment. Revere is making a plan with William Dawes and Dr. Samuel Prescott to warn the militia.

Not so good, yes? And although I'm sure you're an infinitely better writer than I, I still think it would be incredibly off-putting to most readers.

pdr · Feb 25, 2008

There are...

quite a few historicals are written in 1st POV, present tense, and I have sold several stories written like that.

If you write well enough and the present tense is the perfect one for the story it will be fine.

Danger Jane · Feb 25, 2008

Definitely fine. Some readers hate present tense, but it's absolutely acceptable in the publishing--and reading--world.

Mumut · Feb 25, 2008

Sounds great, Madison. Write the first few chapters and see how it reads. It's certainly a way to get excitement into the story and drag the reader into there with you. My historical fiction is written in the past tense and sometimes my past perfect becomes a lot less than perfect! You'll avoid that. Well done and good luck.

JamieFord · Feb 25, 2008

Most of Water for Elephants takes place during the 30s, and it's told in first-person present. Works just fine.

Madison · Feb 25, 2008

HOORAY!!!!!!!! (how many exclamation marks can i put?

)

how wonderful. i'll go for it. i'm filled with that untarnished first-page excitement - hopefully it'll last...

snare drums and CONUNDRUMS

Madison

summertime...

Jenan Mac

The Deadliest Bunny

IceCreamEmpress

Hapless Virago

pdr

Danger Jane

Mumut

Well begun is half done...

JamieFord

giving resonant directions

Madison

summertime...