How to choose what tense to write in
Choosing the right tense for your story can feel like picking the right shoes for an outfit – it must match the tone, mood, and style. But more than just a grammatical necessity, tense has the power to alter the reader's experience. Let's unravel this topic together.
Understanding the basics
First things first, let's have a refresher on the primary tenses:
Present Tense: This happens in real-time.
Example: She writes every morning.
Past Tense: Events have already occurred.
Example: She wrote every morning.
Future Tense: Events are going to happen.
Example: She will write every morning.
The case for present tense
Immediacy and intimacy: Present tense places readers in the moment, making them feel like they're living the events with the characters.
Stream of consciousness: Perfect for stories that want to delve into a character's mind, providing a running commentary on their thoughts and feelings.
Popular in YA fiction: The present tense has gained traction in young adult fiction, offering a sense of immediacy that appeals to readers.
The allure of past tense
Traditional and familiar: Many classic novels and a majority of contemporary ones use the past tense. It's familiar to readers, making it a safe choice.
Flexibility: Allows for easier shifts in time, flashbacks, or references to earlier events.
Narrative authority: The events have already occurred, granting the narrator a degree of hindsight and wisdom.
The rare future tense
Though less commonly used in extended prose, the future tense can work well for:
Predictive narratives: Stories that aim to tell of events yet to come.
Short stories or segments: Offering a glimpse into what will transpire can be engaging for specific scenes or short narratives.
Mixing tenses
Sometimes, stories require a blend of tenses:
Internal monologues: A character might be acting in the present but thinking about the past.
Flashbacks: Past tense can be used within a present-tense narrative to describe prior events.
Speculations: Characters in a past tense story might guess or dream about future events.
Factors to consider
Genre: Some genres have common conventions. For instance, historical fiction typically uses the past tense.
Narrative perspective: First-person present tense can feel intimate, while third-person past tense might seem more distant.
Story timeline: If your story spans many years, past tense might work better. For events happening in a short time frame, consider the present tense.
Trust your instincts and test it out
If you're unsure, write a scene in different tenses to see which feels more natural. Sometimes, the story itself will dictate its preferred tense.
Finding your narrative's pulse
Tense is more than just verb conjugation – it sets the rhythm for your story's heartbeat. Whatever tense you opt for, consistency is crucial. Remember, it's your story, and you hold the reins. Let the narrative guide you, and trust that the right tense will make itself known.
