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You're Too Tense

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Hello One And All,

So, today's post was triggered by what I read on the blog post for today on Bookends, L.L.C--Literary Agency. They were talking about what tense is best.

Of course, third person, past tense is the most popular. But what happens when an author wants to write first person present tense (a la, my story, Surreal). Now, when I was first going over it I wasn't sure it worked because of all the "I" in it (Regina, bless her, has taken a look at chapter 1 and has some comments for me, which I can only be grateful for a "fresh set of eyes" on it). However, in some parts of the book I'm wondering if it works.

Breaking out of the "norm" isn't always easy for an author (as a lot of you know). Some authors never set out to be trailblazers but ended up doing just that.

So, what about you? What tense do you think is best? Which one do you normally use? What do you think of the different tenses/POVs (Point of views)?

Have A Wisdom-filled Wednesday!
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Joshua McCune said…
I usually go 3rd person past, but my favorite story was one I wrote 1st person present recounting an event to a reader (so, mostly 1st person past w/ some 2nd person thrown in and 1st person past... perhaps a bit confusing, but fun :)
Wednesday, 21 October, 2009
Marsha Sigman said…
So far I am strictly First Person, past tense.
Wednesday, 21 October, 2009
Bethany said…
Bane,

Sounds cool :-)
Wednesday, 21 October, 2009
Bethany said…
Marsha,

That's pretty cool, too :-)
Wednesday, 21 October, 2009
Regina Quentin said…
Totally reading your story! I do love the writing and I promise to e-mail you my thoughts. I can't believe the week I've had already. Roller coaster is an understatement. Have y'all seen news of the new "nook" by Barnes and Noble? I'm in love with all the features. I'm debating on pre-order. Must have it. Sorry that's off topic. It's just that you can read PDFs on it and everything. Perhaps I would have had my notes back to you faster if I had a nook. Sorry by the way Bethany.
Wednesday, 21 October, 2009
Bethany said…
Regina,

LOL it's okay. I'll be gone Friday and Saturday at the Workshop, but I'll have my computer, so maybe I'll be able to check email, if not I'll get it when I come home. I saw a little bit about the nook but I didn't read up on it because I was doing something else at the time, but it did look interesting.
Thursday, 22 October, 2009
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