A tense conundrum

by David Foster
10th March 2013

This might entertain those that love grammar.

In part of my work I am now writing I am dealing with the 3rd person (limited) perspective from the far future of events taking place (that by then have taken place) in the next few years from now.

Need a diagram? (I do).

So I am writing in 2013 for people looking back from (say) 3030 at events that take place in 2020.

Therefore the question is: what tense would I be writing in?

:-)

David

Replies

Louise is right, of course. Setting it in the future shouldn't alter the tense, but past tense tends to be easier on the writer and the reader which is preferable if you aren't working chronologically.

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10/03/2013

So... There isn't something like a "future past" who I can use then? [ ;-) ]

I am most disappointed . :-(

David

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David Foster
10/03/2013

I can't believe I spelt grammar wrong! Lol.

If it is 3rd person limited an omniscient narrator isn't possible, Adrian. And if the timelines are going to be in anyway confusing, the POV shouldn't be, so I would stick with 3rd person limited. You could use a mixture of present and past if the tale is mainly told with one voice, but if you jump characters often that will baffle the reader within the first few pages.

Good luck with it.

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10/03/2013