Past or present, first or third? (writerly, obviously)

[MagicaPractica]

I'm editing a story I wrote with someone else in alternating sections. We each wrote it in first person so now I have to either put it into first person from one of our perspectives, or put it into third. It was also written in present tense but that seems awkward if I take it out of first person. Any preferences on past or present, first or third, in your own writing? If so, why? TY

 

[Jenny_Jackson]

I'm editing a story I wrote with someone else in alternating sections. We each wrote it in first person so now I have to either put it into first person from one of our perspectives, or put it into third. It was also written in present tense but that seems awkward if I take it out of first person. Any preferences on past or present, first or third, in your own writing? If so, why? TY

Lve 3rd person past tense. Although I have done others. Seems like there are fewer wording problems.

 

[starrkers]

Personally, I can't handle present tense - always mess something up.
Third person past tense is the easiest for me.

 

[Jubal_Harshaw]

What I write I do in 3rd person past tense, it works well for me. I have read some exceptional stories and novels that were written in first person, all of them past tense. I have seen some that are so hard to follow they seem like miscellenious ramblings. I think it takes a truly gifted writer to get first person perspective straight and not stray from it.

I've tried it a few times but I tend to go out of character for behind the scenes looks and it doesn't fit well. Third is easier for me to keep things straight.

 

[3113]

I despise present tense, although, to be fair, it can work in short stories. I think, however, that if you're going to use it, you should have a very good reason for using it. It's one of those writing gimmicks, something that the reader will notice and need to adjust to. So it needs to have a reason for being rather than just the writer saying, "Look at me! I did something different!"

Past tense is how most stories are written, and is very comfortable for the reader--they read it without noticing it.

Third person or First depends on story and the character. If you want it to be more intimate, and/or to play with perceptions, go for first ("I was a handsome guy," says the first person character--which may or may not be true, but we are face to face with his vanity). If you want to examine the character more objectively, go for third ("Joe was vain and thought himself handsome." So we're not face-to-face with the vanity, we can watch it from the audience as it were, rather than being onstage).

Which would serve your story better?

 

[TheeGoatPig]

I'm going to receive flak for this, but I say leave it split up like that. You'll receive flak for it as well, but it would add character to the story.

 

[MagicaPractica]

Thanks for your perspective folks. It's actually quite a long story and I'm also considering splitting it into seperate chapters, alternating who is telling the story with each chapter. That way I would only have to change the perspective in a little bit of each and it would work in the present tense if kept in first person.

 

[TE999]

Geekychick_76 and I wrote a story a few weeks back alternating between three characters in first person present and past tense that seemed to work pretty well.

It's posted under her stories and is titled 'Death Becomes Them'.

If you're interested, and you think it might be of some help, I'll send you the link.

 

[MagicaPractica]

Geekychick_76 and I wrote a story a few weeks back alternating between three characters in first person present and past tense that seemed to work pretty well.

It's posted under her stories and is titled 'Death Becomes Them'.

If you're interested, and you think it might be of some help, I'll send you the link.

Please do.

 

[fieryjen]

I usually write in past tense. The only time I use present tense is for short stories, if I want something to feel very immediate. It has certain situations where it fits, and I don't like to overuse it. I#ve done it with alternating sections, and it seemed to work quite well.

I also usually write first person, because I identify better with my character this way. I've written quite a bit in third person as well though. Usually, as soon as I start writing, I automatically do one or the other, I don't even give it any big consideration. Making that choice happens automatically for me without me even realizing it. Usually, when I try to change it later, it doesn't sound right.

So I guess my point is... leave it as it is, if it works at all. Switching between tenses or perspective isn't always bad, and changing that might even be detrimental to the story.

 

[TheeGoatPig]

I usually only write first person stories from the female perspective. I have no idea why I do that, other than it seems to make erotic stories hotter.

 

[MagicaPractica]

I usually write in past tense. The only time I use present tense is for short stories, if I want something to feel very immediate. It has certain situations where it fits, and I don't like to overuse it. I#ve done it with alternating sections, and it seemed to work quite well.

I also usually write first person, because I identify better with my character this way. I've written quite a bit in third person as well though. Usually, as soon as I start writing, I automatically do one or the other, I don't even give it any big consideration. Making that choice happens automatically for me without me even realizing it. Usually, when I try to change it later, it doesn't sound right.

So I guess my point is... leave it as it is, if it works at all. Switching between tenses or perspective isn't always bad, and changing that might even be detrimental to the story.

TY, that's what I'm thinking, to change it as little as possible. It does work as is... really, really well in my opinion.

 

[fieryjen]

TY, that's what I'm thinking, to change it as little as possible. It does work as is... really, really well in my opinion.

If you feel it works, I'm positive it'll work for the readers.

 

[starrkers]

TY, that's what I'm thinking, to change it as little as possible. It does work as is... really, really well in my opinion.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it