Why So [Past] Tense?

Great point, Sunny. I think it depends on the story and narrative. First and second person narratives tend to sound better in the present tense to me. Third person narrative can go either way. When I try to imagine Harry Potter written in the present tense, I’m not sure I would have enjoyed it as much. Gone Girl does a good job of harmonizing both present and past tense. It’s written in first person; Nick’s voice is in the past tense, and Amy’s voice is in the present tense. That format works well with the story.

Hi Sunny,

I agree with Ebony, it depends on the story. But knowing your beautiful, well-polished craft, you can pull it off more than anyone. Ebony’s example of GONE GIRL is a good one. The present tense really brings it home in that story so well it makes you sick at some points. If that were past, easily not such a compelling story.
Go for it. You lead though! 😉

I usually write in past tense, but I enjoy books in many formats. A story written in present tense has a different feel than one written in past tense. It’s a little more immediate, pulling me right into the action. It’s good for stories where the narrator is clueless about what’s happening around them, and, as you said, Jen, it cleans up the prose by making it absolutely clear what’s happening and what already happened. There’s no future in present tense. Thus, the narrator can be just as surprised as the reader when the vampire jumps out at her.

That said, I often feel it doesn’t matter much what tense a book is written in, if it’s a great story. As soon as I’m absorbed in the narrative, I no longer notice the puppet strings.