Novels written in present tense — Page 2

Everyone knows what I think about Namo and his snarkiness - but in this case, he was doing nothing but offering advice.

Present tense depends on the story you are trying to convey. Does it have to be told in present tense? If so, think of a way to make the overall structure interesting.

Fiction Writer, I too have often wondered why most novels are written in the past tense. I don't think I've ever read one that took place in the present, not counting the choose-your-own-adventure books I had as a kid. I think it would be interesting to read one, at the least. I'll check out that book you recommended (DREAM BOY), since, unlike GuyFromGermany, I haven't been privy to read any of your stuff. Not that I'm jealous or anything. I'll let you know what I think.

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By the way, Jim Grimsley has written 7 novels and a book of plays and was a winner of the PEN/Hemingway Foundation Award.

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Oh, speaking about plays, you don't write plays in past tense do you?

No. So why should books be any different?

Oh, Fiction Writer, if you don't know the difference between a play and a novel, then I don't know what to do for you.

How would you even go about writing a play in past tense? Are you serious?

The Crimson Petal and the White is written in second person present tense -- and while I understood what the writer was trying to do with it, the device got old quickly and felt way too gimmicky (of course, the book was 800 pages and I only made it about 200 in before I just gave up).

I'm extrapolating information from what I know about written history here, but I would assume that stories are written in past tense as a sense of tradition since originally stories were passed down in an oral traidition. Since the stories were all told about legendary heroes or events of the past, it would only be natural to tell the story in the past.

Additionally, think about anytime you tell an anecdote about something that happened to you -- it's ALWAYS in the past. The reason for this is simple -- how often are you in the middle of telling a story as it's being acted out? This works in drama with a narrator talking, I suppose, as in "She goes to the door..." but otherwise, it feels very forced. At least third person present isn't quite as bad as first person present, since that always makes me think "you're doing this NOW, how are you writing/telling me the story?"

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Allan Gurganus wrote a wonderful short story called "Minor Heroism," largely in the second person.

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I love how I asked one question and 99% of the replies have nothing to do with the answer.

Yes, I know the difference between a play and a novel. Yes, I know about the ancient Minstrels who would sing about the men of old.

I like going on adventures, for lack of better a word, with my characters. Being with them as they do things. When I'm reading a book in past tense, I don't get that. I feel like they already did it and I feel left out.

(That sounds really effin' stupid, but it's true.)

I'm writing the book in third person present tense. Meaning, "Oliver opens the door."

What's wrong with that?

Well, I certainly hope that wasn't directed at me, since I did indeed state that I find it odd (although not in those exact words) to read books in the first person present tense.

You feel left out reading a book written in the past tense? That's like 98% of all novels! And you want to be a writer?

I'm not going to go looking through all my books now, but does anyone know of any classics that were written in present tense? I can't think of any off hand...

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I said it before, but I'll say it again. Just because it's a classic doesn't mean it's good.

I'm very aware that most books are written in past tense. That doesn't mean I understand it, or even like it.

"I'm very aware that most books are written in past tense. That doesn't mean I understand it, or even like it."

Seriously, do you know how idiotic this makes you sound?

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