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Present tense or Past tense, or mixed?
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cottreauJoined: 22 Dec 2006 00:32:22 Posts: 550 |
I know you aren't supposed to mix tenses, but I find that I intend to do one, and then slip into another.
I have read that present tense leaves more impact on the reader, so I'm trying that on wwwW. Anyone else trying this, and if so, how's it going? 06 Feb 2007 00:03:37 |
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andychilton Joined: 21 Dec 2006 21:30:06 Posts: 733 |
This is something I slip between too. Sometimes I'm writing and realise it's past when I don't want it to be.
I did see an article one time which basically gave pointers saying "if you're writing it like this, or writing these words, then you're in past tense". Haven't a clue where it is now and wish I'd bookmarked it. 06 Feb 2007 00:34:30
Andrew Chilton - http://kapiti.geek.nz/
SoCNoC 2008 - Unknown and Untitled |
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cottreau Joined: 22 Dec 2006 00:32:22 Posts: 550 |
If you find it, let me know. I would like to hear a few tips for this since I'm gradually learning it all as I go, and I'm feeling pretty amateurish to tell the truth.
06 Feb 2007 01:50:00 |
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madscientist Joined: 04 Feb 2007 08:14:07 Posts: 93 |
I have read a novel by Katherine Kerr which was written entirely in the present tense and was fantastic science fiction. It took a bit of getting into but once I got used to it, it did have a bigger impact on what was happening because it was happening to each character as I read it.
I have stuck with the past tense so far. Stick with it, i havent had the guts to do it yet. 06 Feb 2007 08:45:14
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NaNo winner 2006, 2007 SocNoc winner 2007, WWWwace 2007, 2008!!! Easter challenge winner 2007 Body count: 1 Institute heads, 4 professors, 2 postdocs, 2 PhD students, 2 sequencing technicians and numerous bad guys... Oh I wish I could put that on my CV. ------------------------------------ |
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kerrynangell Joined: 22 Dec 2006 09:00:56 Posts: 844 |
One way to practice the different tenses is to use a small piece of writing, even smaller than a short story, say a page or a paragraph and make two or three versions, each in a different tense.
06 Feb 2007 12:00:55
No Excuses. Just Write.
SoCNoC - Freeing the Flame Freeing the Flame - 30,065/40,000 words rewritten for May |
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cottreau Joined: 22 Dec 2006 00:32:22 Posts: 550 |
Thanks Kerryn, that is an excellent idea.
Later tonight when I've done my wwwW word count is probably the best time. 06 Feb 2007 13:33:20 |
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angeldreams Joined: 01 Feb 2007 13:08:58 Posts: 207 |
I slip in and out between tenses too. *sigh* It's a huge problem with my writing, and the biggest issue in my essays, even. If anyone has any tips, please let me know >_< The thing is, even when I'm told a tense is wrong, I don't actually FEEL that it's wrong, you know? *needs lessons in grammar ^^;;*
I think though, the tense would be best handled in the editing stages rather than while writing, because you'll want the draft to come in whatever tense it feels right as. But that's just me. 06 Feb 2007 22:05:05 |
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cottreau Joined: 22 Dec 2006 00:32:22 Posts: 550 |
Hey Jen,
I think you're right, you want the draft to just flow out. I expect that as you write more, some things will just feel right, and your drafts will start having less of this kind of tense flip-flop. The only time that I get it is when I try and write in present tense, and then, I easily slip back to past tense. "The Time Traveler's Wife" by Audrey Niffenegger is written in present tense, one of the few books I can find written that way, at least on my shelves. It's worth reading regardless of tenses. :) 07 Feb 2007 09:36:47 |
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kerrynangell Joined: 22 Dec 2006 09:00:56 Posts: 844 |
I loved 'The Time Traveler's Wife'. I think I should re-read it and note the present tense. Very interesting.
07 Feb 2007 11:03:21
No Excuses. Just Write.
SoCNoC - Freeing the Flame Freeing the Flame - 30,065/40,000 words rewritten for May |
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