Past/ present tense

by Clare Williams
25th April 2017

Hi all

I'm experimenting with past/ present tense in my MS, would it be ok to use both? i.e One character's POV told in present tense, the other told in past? Would that be too confusing? Has anyone seen good examples of that working?

Many thanks

Replies

comma.dy

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Jeremy
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Jeremy Gavins
27/04/2017

Thanks Steve.

Thanks too Jimmy :) the past tense of comma??? Comma'd :) ??

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Clare
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Clare Williams
26/04/2017

Hia Clare, I agree you should have a go. My only advice is to keep one section in one tense, don't be tempted to transition from one to another (without a clear break) until you're happy with what you've written and how it tells the story. There are exceptions, for example speech might be, and often is, in a different tense.

I've written recently in past, present and that curious in-between of journal writing and there is nothing worse than finding you've switched tense without realising it! Read everything back aloud and you'll find and correct any slip-ups.

Have a go and enjoy!

Steve

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Steven
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