First Person, Present Tense

[Olive Hizklosoff]

Generally speaking, I haven't read a story written in first person and present tense that I've liked. Is first person, present tense the easiest to write in? Is it that many people have a problem with the tense of verbs? I find first person stories almost impossible to read. "I am" this and "you are" that. Personally, I think that stories written this way are tedious to read. Tell me which best-selling book was written in the first person, present tense. I don't think there was one!!

 

[slyc_willie]

Generally speaking, I haven't read a story written in first person and present tense that I've liked. Is first person, present tense the easiest to write in? Is it that many people have a problem with the tense of verbs? I find first person stories almost impossible to read. "I am" this and "you are" that. Personally, I think that stories written this way are tedious to read. Tell me which best-selling book was written in the first person, present tense. I don't think there was one!!

Superfudge. Kid's classic.

Aside from that, first person, present tense usually only works if you are, say, writing a letter to someone or telling a story as if you are there with that person. Otherwise, it feels like you're eavesdropping on someone else's conversation. Not bad if you're a serious voyeur, but it is often distracting.

Like you, I do not like reading first person, present tense stories. I do, however, prefer writing in first person, past tense.

Most of the stories I've read on Lit that were first/present, I've noticed, have received few votes and comments.

 

[angelicminx]

Generally speaking, I haven't read a story written in first person and present tense that I've liked. Is first person, present tense the easiest to write in? Is it that many people have a problem with the tense of verbs? I find first person stories almost impossible to read. "I am" this and "you are" that. Personally, I think that stories written this way are tedious to read. Tell me which best-selling book was written in the first person, present tense. I don't think there was one!!

The first two stories I posted here on Lit were in first/ present. (My apologies, they are Second/ Present... I think?)

Dreams of Meeting has done relatively well, it's one of my highest rated stories to date.

Lovely Day for a Ride is okay, but lost its little red H during a contest last year.

I was given some excellent advice in the wake of those two stories and I no longer write in present tense (or second person). I do sometimes write in first person. It depends on what the story itself requires.



Minx

Edited because I looked at the stories after reading Penelope's post. Thanks, Penelope. *hug*

 

[angelicminx]

Superfudge. Kid's classic.

Aside from that, first person, present tense usually only works if you are, say, writing a letter to someone or telling a story as if you are there with that person. Otherwise, it feels like you're eavesdropping on someone else's conversation. Not bad if you're a serious voyeur, but it is often distracting.

Like you, I do not like reading first person, present tense stories. I do, however, prefer writing in first person, past tense.

Most of the stories I've read on Lit that were first/present, I've noticed, have received few votes and comments.

Nice AV, Willie.

 

[rgraham666]

My Georges stories (in my sig) have done pretty well. And they're first person/present tense.

Except First Hunt, it's third person/present tense.

Although to be perfectly honest, I'm guessing. I don't have enough education to know for sure of POV/tense.

 

[Penelope Street]

I think most of the aversion to present tense is simply that it's unusual- regardless of whether the perspective is first or third person, but it can still work. Here are two stories in first person, present tense that I like:

"Spark" by carsonshepherd
http://english.literotica.com:81/stories/showstory.php?id=170308

"Abyss" by rgraham666
http://english.literotica.com:81/stories/showstory.php?id=221428

On the other hand, the only second-person story I've ever enjoyed is this one:
"The Second Person" by impressive
http://english.literotica.com/stories/showstory.php?id=205916


An explanation of literary perspectives may be found here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Point_of_view_(literature)

 

[York]

I won't read stories in present tense. If I start reading it and it's like that I just move on to another story.

 

[slyc_willie]

Nice AV, Willie.

Well, what would you expect, given my name?