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So I'm writing a book and I've got all my ideas and stuff planned out, I don't need help with that. My question is whether or not you prefer a first person to be told in present, or past tense. It's unfortunately completely necessary that I write in first person for reasons particular to the story. I just want to know whether you prefer to read:
As I walked toward the hill I blah blah blah
or
Walking toward the hill I blah blah blah...
I've noticed so far that writing in past tense in first person can get confusing and annoying, but that writing in present tense for an entire novel sounds like it's going to get old pretty quick... That, and people are so used to reading novels written in past tense this could just frustrate the hell out of them (constantly expecting past tense, but always getting present)... Anyway, poll time
Poll: What would you prefer?
(Vote): First Person, present tense
(Vote): First Person, past tense
Post why if you have anything specific to say on the subject. 
Thanks,
 
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Spenguin
Australia3316 Posts
Just write what you think will allow the reader to connect with your character there are more possibilities then this.
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The reader will be able to connect either way. I don't know what other possibilities you're referring to, but my goal is just to be writing something that will be readable.. I've written short stories in present tense before, and I think I'll maybe do it for this novel too just because it gets so complicated when you're trying to tell an exciting story, and then your main character needs to say something happened in the past (before this past)... But if people really hate reading things in present tense, I don't want to do that.... What I'm thinking I'll probably do, is that I'll write one chapter in present tense and test it on a couple people, unless someone on TL has some brilliant sagely advice that can tell me that's a waste of my time.
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I think past tense is neat for a lot of situations. Especially if someone is telling a story. If something happened before the regular thread of the story, just define the setting for the new thread and keep rolling. But then again, you are the writer. I think you should write one chapter in each format to work out what works best. I'm guessing writing a book is hard work, and you shouldn't take any short-cuts if you want it to be as good as possible.
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Yeah, of course I think writing in first person in general is just problematic on it's own, no matter what tense you choose. When you think about it, it actually doesn't make sense, but then again, maybe that will be a refreshing change and help me stand out.
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I don't know who you're writing the book for, or why, or what about, but the tense should depend on what you're trying to convey. I don't mean to sound cruel, but it really sounds like you have no general grasp of theory of literature, that you are writing this book for the purpose of writing a book like a summer project of sorts. Your question is kind of like, "What's better? Dragoons or Zealots?"
EDIT: You should also realize that rarely will you use one tense throughout the entire novel. Characters may remember things from the past, hope to do things for the future. You can have entire chapters, stories, embedded into each other (think of Frankenstein).
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I'm not going to get into an argument with you, I'm just going to say that I disagree lol.
I'm pretty much decided on present tense now though, after thinking about it.
PS: Dragoons are obviously far superior to zealots, and win/do better in more situations than Zealots do. So although I know you meant apples and oranges (which is still wrong), you double fail
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No; the answer is: it depends.
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Let me just say that I think past tense is superior in almost all scenarios, it's the industry standard, it's what editors are looking for, and it's basically the dragoon.
Present tense is weird and while it might be fresh and interesting, it could also be weird and annoying depending on how well it's written. If I'm lucky, it'll make my work stand out to editors, just for being different and help me. It's basically the Zealot which is only better rarely.
I would have appreciated if you could have kept your cynicism out of your post, cause it all hinges on me being some kid who just randomly felt like writing a book as a spur of the moment thing. I'm an adult and I'm serious about writing, and I'm more than aware that it's a big commitment to finish (and not some retarded 2 month summer project... seriously?). Writing is what I want to do with my life, and I just wanted to do a poll to see if it was a landslide when I wasn't so sure which tense I should do it in (at first I would have done it in 3rd person past tense like the norm, but a mechanic in my book doesn't allow for that possibility). All your post did was insult a kid who doesn't exist (or maybe that used to be you?).
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Maybe you could do both somehow? Like write in past tense for like 3/4 of the book, then on one chapter it's revealed that the main character is telling his story to a group of adventurers who then agree to help him (since I have no idea what the story's about I'm just giving an example) and the rest of the book goes on in present tense as the main character is leading these new guys into his one last adventure to take down the big evil guy.
However I just voted past tense since I'd agree that reading in present tense first person would get kind of old pretty fast. That's probably the best advice I can give without knowing more about the story.
good luck! 
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"Walking toward the hill I blah blah blah..." isn't present tense. -ing verbs have no tense at all, and aren't used to present a form of tense.
I'd suggest sticking with past tense. It's simpler and you're less likely to screw up. Writing in present tense isn't going to catch anyone's eye if you have a messy writing style. I've always been told that one of the key aspects of writing is "know all the rules before you break them."
Like Oxygen said, you don't really seem to have a good grasp of literary theory. Keep it simple.
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first person, past tense. im writing a book too, but i continually switch off(my style imo) from first person to third, annotating everything. im just writing a book on how i see my 'life' and 'life' in general. i dont know why you think first person past tense is annoying, its better/easier than first person present tense. maybe its just me but past tense is superior to present, but however, be as it may if you write in the latter or not, ultimately it is your decision. as long as you can provide a good 'flow' in the context of things, present tense will be pleasing to the eye as it is happening presently; meaning, readers will follow you no matter what, present tense however, the read still follows you but not exactly in 'real time' per se.
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Past tense is usually preferable for the reader, but if present tense appears to work better for you, stick with it. Even if the response is generally negative, editing to switch the tense is not that time-consuming.
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try future tense
future tense is the shit
I will go on a hill and ski down the slope, only to get shot by a passing gunman.
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Who writes a book and asks people what they want written in it?
Hi, I'd like to order a future-tense erotica taking place on the planet Neptune which involves a Martian and a frozen space comet shaped like a clam.
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first person present is annoying.
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I'll plagiarise :D
Thanks, but no thanks :D
Who writes a book and asks people what they want written in it?
I didn't ask what at all. My ideas are brilliant and I don't need help I was just asking how, if maybe there was anyone who'd tried it before and realised it was a nightmare. But since no one has come out specifically, and I know I can make present tense work, I'm fine with that..
I'm sorry you all think I'm some crappy amateur writer who knows fuck all about what he's doing =/ I didn't get the best grades in English, but I got the best grades in Writer's Craft, and I've written a lot of stuff, received good feedback, and been encouraged to go with it by a lot of people...
I'm sorry I asked lol... I didn't think people would start answering questions I didn't ask as well (like "do I have a good grasp of literature, my snobby, elitist friend?")
Maybe when I finish first chapter I'll post it... probably not I AINT GOT NOTHIN TO PROVE TO YOU FOO'S
Thanks for you time though, I got what I wanted to know out of this thread anyway If you wanna flame me, go for it
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You are mistaken, it depends really on what you are trying to do and convey. However, if you feel like the message will work either way, and you are just trying to choose, I'd say go for first person, because that's more interesting and unique.
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On June 05 2008 22:42 PsycHOTemplar wrote:I'm not going to get into an argument with you, I'm just going to say that I disagree lol. I'm pretty much decided on present tense now though, after thinking about it. PS: Dragoons are obviously far superior to zealots, and win/do better in more situations than Zealots do. So although I know you meant apples and oranges (which is still wrong), you double fail
Whoa, a little defensive there.
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This thread is just too cute for words.
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lol 
In my defence, if you type Ctrl+F, and write in "good luck" you get an error. Just bitter BM :o
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hmmm? are you sure?
why don't you go back and try that again?
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On June 06 2008 04:30 mahnini wrote:
Who writes a book and asks people what they want written in it?
Hi, I'd like to order a future-tense erotica taking place on the planet Neptune which involves a Martian and a frozen space comet shaped like a clam.
if his goal is to appeal to the reader then of course he'd want some idea of what the reader likes. to him, either way gets the same message across. see mspaint threads - artist gets ideas from his audience.
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second person, future perfect tense
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hmmm? are you sure?
why don't you go back and try that again?
Hahaha, you cheater Thanks though I have high hopes for this work, and I'll make a post on TL if I ever get it published (don't expect that for at least a year though )
I've written the first bit, and I'm happy with how it sounds in present tense. Thanks for the comments, and although obviously majority prefers past tense (which by virtue of that fact makes certain posters look very stupid), I think that the mechanics I intend to apply to this book will work very smoothly with present tense (although being used to past tense, I have to catch myself every time I start writing in past tense... it's just natural).
+ Show Spoiler +It's seriously a lot better than some loser adolescents memoirs lol.... I'm not so narcissistic that I'd write an entire book about myself and expect people to want to read it... It's a fiction of sorts with a fantasy element tied into real world mental disorders. I only say this because I have plenty of friends who decide they want to write a book, get the first chapter, and show it to me and it's all about their boring joe smoe life, so I know that's what people are assuming my book is... I just want to say I'm better than that lol.
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EPT
