Does anyone else have problems...

[nakdsub]

Reading stories that are written in present tense? Gad, I hate it. As a result, I probably have missed some good stories but telling a story in present tense just seems out of place. Is it just me? As soon as I read the first line and find it's written like this, I take a pass on the story.

Whether the story is written in first, second, or third person, I still think it should be in past tense, except for dialogue of course.

 

[cocput]

Reading stories that are written in present tense? Gad, I hate it.

I think, that is your problem.

I think that you are used to past tense so much that other tenses sort of irks you.

Personally, I don't have a problem because I don't care about the language as long as the story feels good.

Try to think of a 'cyber sex' scenario. You can't write anything other than present, or future. I have not read a single story in 2nd person that is written in anything other than present tense. I think, future may work too. But the narrative will look awkward in past tense,( unless done by a very skillful writer.)

--scorpio

 

[sr71plt]

I am just finishing up a book that's in present tense. As it has frequently occurred to me that it was in present tense, that was intruding on the read. I'd prefer anything long to be in past tense.

 

[cocput]

I am just finishing up a book that's in present tense. As it has frequently occurred to me that it was in present tense, that was intruding on the read. I'd prefer anything long to be in past tense.

I think, present tense is a bit more "current", and needs to have a good, fast flow.

All time shifts were only at chapter ends.

I definitely would like to know how you managed time.

 

[Etaski]

Reading stories that are written in present tense? Gad, I hate it. As a result, I probably have missed some good stories but telling a story in present tense just seems out of place. Is it just me? As soon as I read the first line and find it's written like this, I take a pass on the story.

Whether the story is written in first, second, or third person, I still think it should be in past tense, except for dialogue of course.

*ahem* "The Hunger Games" trilogy is written in present tense. Just saying.

I've found one area of writing where present tense AND second person actually work and helps the reader (player) become more involved: Roleplaying games.

I don't mean the Sexual Roleplaying forum on this site (I haven't looked at it or played there), I mean games people pay money to buy the books, supplements, and dice to play with friends. Dungeons and Dragons and the like. This is either "table top" playing or play by forum/email/Skype/etc.

It's interactive, and if you have a good verbal storyteller, second person and present tense are not a problem. It does keep it immediate and current, you are immersed and you can "see" it happening in your mind.

RPOL.net is a huge gaming site and includes many adult games including explicit sex, and that's where I noticed also that it just plain works.

For me this is not a "you should never use present tense" item, or it wouldn't have developed as a legitimate writing tool. As it is, there are places where it works, and places where it doesn't.

 

[Hotcappucino]

*ahem* "The Hunger Games" trilogy is written in present tense. Just saying.

I was just about to post a reply to the OP saying that. And I didn't notice that it was in present tense until I was halfway through the first book. I haven't found it a distraction at all, and I think the skill of the author has to do a lot how a story in present tense comes across.

In general, the stories on Lit in present tense aren't that good, probably because most of the more experienced or skilled authors on Lit write in past tense since they know it's the easiest to write. The stories written by newbies, on the other hand, are going to be weak regardless of tense, and many have the tendency to write in present tense thinking it adds to the immediacy of the mood.

 

[cocput]

Ithe skill of the author has to do a lot how a story in present tense comes across.

In general, the stories on Lit in present tense aren't that good, probably because most of the more experienced or skilled authors on Lit write in past tense since they know it's the easiest to write.

Would be nice if some experienced Lit writer gives a set of stories (with links) for reference.

 

[KlaytonFrost]

It's never bothered me in the slightest. I didn't even know stories being in the present tense was weird until someone told me it was.