Dreamer1627

Hope everyone is well. I can't believe it's October. I've been dealing with life, and had surgery last week, so just hanging out and recuperating now. I haven't written in awhile, just put my writing cap back on. Hoping to feel inspired soon!

Dreamer1627

Just curious, those who write in first person narrative, do you write in past or present tense? Any particular reason why? I typically write in past tense, but am wondering if I should switch to present. Tense is the bane of my writing.

seanfisher1

@Dreamer1627 I was just having this problem with the new novel I'm writing. It is written in first person but also in diary form. But he is still telling the story of something that happened in the past. This has been a bit of a nightmare to figure out, but ultimately because it's a diary I think some mistakes in this area might be forgiven.
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the_introvert_author

I’ve written in both first and third person and I tend to write in present tense - it just feels more natural to me to tell the story as if it happening right now. Plus, it’s easier then if I want to do any flashbacks or have a character tell a story to someone else as I can write in past tense for those parts making it easy to distinguish between the main story and other stories laced within it it.
            
            I have one story which I am writing in past tense but I always slip into present at some point and it takes me ages to realise I have two different tenses in there so then I have to go back and change it.
            
            I think if you feel comfortable writing in the past tense and it comes easily and naturally to you, then stick with it.
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