Skillset Builder 1: Why You Should Stop Writing in Present Tense
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Writing in present tense is not exactly a mistake, but it’s one of the top giveaways of an unseasoned writer. More importantly, it can hold your writing and storytelling back in ways that might surprise you. Read on for three reasons you should consider making the switch to past tense.
Present tense storytelling doesn’t make logical sense
Writing in present tense may feel somehow more immersive, edgy, or engaging, but it really doesn’t make logical sense from a storytelling perspective. The act of narration implies that you’re recounting something that has already happened. “Retelling” in present tense is a contradiction.
Consider the following sentence: I draw my sword and stand at the ready, peering out through the darkness. What does this even mean? Are you doing that now, at this moment? If so, how can you tell me about it? And if you can tell me about it, then how can you be simultaneously doing it? Book are not movies. We imagine the action in real time, but the information comes as a retelling. It’s not a script. If you wan’t present tense, go read Adventure Story. For serious writing, you should consider using past tense to give your readers the most realistic and truly immersive experience.
Present tense is clunky and causes problems with delivery of information
In past tense, it’s easy to provide incidental information during a scene. Our readers accept this information as part of the retelling. Here’s an example using our sentence from before: