I'm trying to figure out how to write a strong story told in the present tense and with first–person POV. I've read several strong stories told in the present tense, but right now can think of only one that is both first–person and present–tense, The Hunger Games, and I actually had to look that one up. Any other examples or suggestions?
~ JBB
There are a couple of lists available on Good Reads:
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/first-person-present-tense
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/14615.YA_1st_Person_Present_Tense
Also, I found an old topic on reddit discussing the subject. You can find some good novels in it:
https://www.reddit.com/r/writing/comments/ge0vsh/first_person_present_tense_pov/
The reddit list mentions Margaret Atwood's Handmaid's Tale, but I'd recommend her Surfacing instead. In addition to being a shorter novel, it actually has both present- and past- tense elements as the protagonist explores her memories trying to figure out a mystery from her past.
I'm following a serial in progress at the moment that is written in first person present tense. Except, every few sentences or so, the author slips in something in the past tense. And it jars.
Most SOL authors who write in the present tense seem to have that problem. Even a noted proponent, who sadly is no longer here to defend himself, had lapses (some of which I pointed out to him).
So I'm afraid I'm not aware of anyone who does it well enough to recommend :-(
AJ
Except, every few sentences or so, the author slips in something in the past tense. And it jars.
I find that common on SOL with past tense stories sometimes slipping into present tense as well.
Yep! I read one yesterday where the author was decidedly undecided as to the tense, sometimes even in the same paragraph! He is a relatively new author, so he should be given time to hone his writing.
Cleaning up my old stories from almost 20 years ago has taught me not to throw stones in a greenhouse…
Most SOL authors who write in the present tense seem to have that problem. Even a noted proponent, who sadly is no longer here to defend himself, had lapses (some of which I pointed out to him).
Is it possible to have some Past Tense words / actions in a Present Tense story?
For example: Picking up the pistol I dropped when I shot the first intruder, I am reloading as I pie the corner, expecting another assassin is waiting for me.
Or:
Coming home from my adventures, I am eager to be meeting the gal I left behind.
Or:
I am sitting, now, on the chair I bought last year.
I admit I am terrible at this. Partially because I really enjoy some Great terrible authors. Such as Louis L'Amour, R. A. Heinlein, S.L.A. Marshall, Ernest Hemingway, Steven Ambrose, Larry Correia, and David Weber, among others.
Is it possible to have some Past Tense words / actions in a Present Tense story?
Of course. Anytime the event happened in the past it's in past tense. But that's not the problem mentioned. It's using past tense when present tense should be used.
In a story written in past tense, past perfect is used to show something happened earlier. For me, that's the only advantage to writing in present tense — you can use simple past tense rather than past perfect.
Of course. Anytime the event happened in the past it's in past tense.
Agreed.
A quick query. I would have used 'any time' instead of 'anytime'. Is there a convention for when the words should be joined up and when they should be separate. Compounds of 'time' seem particularly problematical eg 'some time' versus 'sometime'.
In a story written in past tense, past perfect is used to show something happened earlier. For me, that's the only advantage to writing in present tense — you can use simple past tense rather than past perfect.
I think there have been discussions in the past about how to avoid lots of 'had had's etc. I think one suggestion was to use 'had had' the first time then switch to simple past.
AJ
I think one suggestion was to use 'had had' the first time then switch to simple past.
In a past tense story, if something simply happens before the current time, it's basically past perfect (had).
The problem is like in a flashback where there would be a gazillion had's. What I read, and what I do to avoid that mess, is I begin the flashback in past perfect (say a paragraph or maybe two), then switch to simple past tense, and then, as I'm ending the flashback (say the last paragraph or two) switch back to past perfect.
I think there have been discussions in the past about how to avoid lots of 'had had's etc.
I'm reminded of the exercise to punctuate "James while John had had had had had had had had had had had a better effect on the teacher" to alternatively have James or John having the better answer.
Most SOL authors who write in the present tense seem to have that problem. Even a noted proponent, who sadly is no longer here to defend himself, had lapses (some of which I pointed out to him).
Is it possible to have some Past Tense words / actions in a Present Tense story?
For example: Picking up the pistol I dropped when I shot the first intruder, I am reloading as I pie the corner, expecting another assassin is waiting for me.
Or:
Coming home from my adventures, I am eager to be meeting the gal I left behind.
Or:
I am sitting, now, on the chair I bought last year.
I admit I am terrible at this. Partially because I really enjoy some Great terrible authors. Such as Louis L'Amour, R. A. Heinlein, S.L.A. Marshall, Ernest Hemingway, Steven Ambrose, Larry Correia, and David Weber, among others.
If you have premier membership, take a look at https://storiesonline.net/s/49515/fringe-benefits by Michael Lindgren.
From the synopsis:
a way out of the cubicle farm that involves multiple satisfying felonies
Thank you! Anything that involves multiple satisfying felonies (assuming we're not in Hannibal Lecter country) has got to be good.
~ JBB
