The use of the present tense in stories

[lovejedi]

A anonymous reader of my story "A Hiking Adventure" commented:

"Know when to use the present tense in writing?

In an obituary!

Or in a description of what you are doing RIGHT NOW, at this very moment. Other use of the present tense is to be frowned upon and seo[sic] are people who use it."

I would refer the astute reader to the discussion of something that is known as "the historical present tense" in the Columbia Guide to Standard American English: "the use of the present tense in narrative to impart a sense of breathless immediacy".

My descriptions of erotic moments often impart a sense of breathless immediacy to my partners and me. This suggests that my use of the historical present tense may be appropriate.

The critic might perhaps also look into a new invention called a "spelling checker".

LoveJedi

 

[Whispersecret]

I acknowledge your choice in tense as a valid one, Lovejedi. I think that a sense of immediacy is why many erotic writers write in present tense.

However, I'm not a big fan of present tense for fiction. Rarely does it read smoothly for me, and then, only when written by highly skilled writers.

But that's just me. Some people love it.

 

[the_bragis]

Hello lovejedi,

Well I don't know, no matter how well they're written I still prefer past tense stories. First person past tense stories are my favorites. Why? Well I guess it's because they feel most intimate to me, like a friend telling me all about the previous night's hot sex. But hey that's just me, everyone is different.

Singularity, one of my favorite authors on Literotica, writes all his stories in present tense.

Like him, you are probably better off writing in what ever style you feel happy and most comfortable with, because that's how you will produce your best work. Just ignore any bad feedback.

Hey here's a challenge, an erotic future tense/second person story. You will get hot and excited. You will have at least three mind blowing orgasms... 'just kidding!

You know what else? My spell checker is my best friend.

I wish you well with your future writing.

Have a great day,

Alex (fem).

 

[lovejedi]

Thanks for the support. I agree that it is difficult to use for fiction.

This particular story appeared as a mind movie, in many ways it was happening as I wrote it.

For the record, I enjoy the criticism. I enjoy fighting back even more. Keep it coming!!

"Be kind and considerate with your criticism. . . . It's just as hard to write a bad book as it is to write a good book."
Malcolm Cowley

 

[Singularity]

Selecting the Tense

Firs of all, thank you alex, for the honor of being on your favorites list. I will do my best to stay on it.

When I started writing, I had the same desire for the "immediacy of the moment" that lovejedi speaks of. In fact, I still do.

As alex has pointed out, everthing that I have posted here on Lit is in present tense. It just seems to fit for the way I visualize and stage the scenes in the stories.

I will tip my hat to Whispersecret for finally convincing me to give past tense a try, after placing the first 700 words of a story (OK, I cheated, I confess now) in her 500-word-critique thread a while back.

I have finally taken the plunge, and am working on a story written in past tense (I hope this doesn't tarnish me in alex's eyes too badly). It won't be ready for a while since I always write about 5-6 stories 'ahead' of what is posted, so I can go back and edit and polish each story several times before unleashing it on the public.

As an experiment, I tried rewriting an existing story into past tense. It was a nasty experience, no fun and too time-consuming. So I decided to let those that are in present tense stay that way; and elected to try the past out on a fresh victim of a story idea. So when 'Love, Honor, and Obey' hits the New Stories list, you will be able to see how it worked out.

So far, I am 'on the fence' about the relative merits of present and past tense, but I am going to give it a good try. With what I have drafted so far, it is getting easier after the first 4-5 pages to get 'settled in' with past tense. Who knows, maybe I will end up switching for all new stories.

 

[Whispersecret]

SEVEN HUNDRED? SEVEN HUNDRED? Arrrggghhh! LOL. The joke's on me, eh? Well, from now on I check the word count, by golly!