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Writers Retreat > Student Talk > Course Lessons > Assignment 7 > Tenses
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Beth Consugar
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« on: March 16, 2010, 10:08:39 PM »
I have a question about tenses.  I know that when you are writing for teens, preent tense is suggested.  Here is my dilemma:  can you write mostly in present tense with some past tense?  For example:

My legs feel like soft, cooked spaghetti noodles.  I can't wait for this presentation to be over.  Steve hands me the clicker for the slide show.  It slips through my fingers and lands on the floor with a crack!  Steve picked it up and placed it carefully in the palm of my hand.  Etc.

As you can see, most of the above example is in present tense, with some past tense.  It sounds OK to me, but I know it may not be the best way to present the story.  Now, I had originally written it entirely in the past tense, but I want to move away from that (present tense gives the story a more immediate feel!).  The other way I could write it is:  My legs feel like soft, cooked spaghetti noodles.  I can't wait for this presentation to be over.  Steve hands me the clicker for the slide show.  It slips through my fingers and lands on the floor with a crack!  Steve picks it up and places it carefully in the palm of my hand.  Etc.


Does the second version make more sense, or are both versions considered acceptable?

Thanks for your help!

Beth
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« Reply #1 on: March 16, 2010, 10:23:47 PM »
It's my understanding that your second version (staying in present tense) is correct in terms of tense usage, and that your first version is not. I'm sure that switching back and forth in midstream, so to speak, isn't "allowed." (Sorry!)
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« Reply #2 on: March 16, 2010, 10:43:37 PM »
There it is again.  Tense:  the antichrist.  I'm tellin' ya.
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« Reply #3 on: March 17, 2010, 07:18:12 AM »
It is difficult to stick with present tense but you do have to remain consistent if you want the story published. Now, when you write in present tense, the stuff that happened in the past will still be past like this:

My legs feel like soft, cooked spaghetti noodles.  I can't wait for this presentation to be over.  Steve hands me the clicker for the slide show.  It slips through my fingers and lands on the floor with a crack!  Steve pickes it up and places it carefully in the palm of my hand just as he has every day this year. He never frowned before, today he does.

But if you choose "present" for your tense, then everything in the NOW of the story, must be in present.

Most novels/stories for teens are in past tense, so don't feel like teens must equal present tense. They're more open to it than younger readers but it's definitely not a requirement.
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Beth Consugar
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« Reply #4 on: March 17, 2010, 12:36:55 PM »
Thanks for the input Jan!  I feel better knowing that I don't have to stick with present tense.  I remember reading in the course manual that present tense is preferred for teens (or maybe I was imagining that part!).  In any case, if I struggle with making it present tense, then I will switch it all back to past tense.  I just thought the present tense draws the reader in a little better and makes the situation seem more immediate.  I do notice a difference when I use different tenses, but I am glad to know that I can work in past tense!

Thanks all for your input!

Beth
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« Reply #5 on: March 17, 2010, 01:33:32 PM »
Well, IF you're going to write in present -- teens are who to do it for. But I read a lot of YA and they're still more often in past than present. The manual might have been updated just when present tense was kind of hot.
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