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Post by A-RokzStalker on Jul 22, 2007 11:07:28 GMT -6
Well, I WAS going to make two polls for this, but Julie suggested just having a little survey, so here it is...
1. When WRITING, do you prefer PAST or PRESENT tense?
2. When READING, do you prefer PAST or PRESENT tense?
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Post by kristy on Jul 22, 2007 13:28:54 GMT -6
I use both when I write, and I read both. It really doesn't matter to me either way.
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Post by Julie on Jul 22, 2007 17:05:08 GMT -6
I prefer past for both. I've never written a story in present tense. I have read a few short stories written in present tense, but past is just more comfortable to me for some reason, so I prefer that.
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Post by kristy on Jul 23, 2007 13:10:11 GMT -6
^I admit though, it is easier to write in past tense. Now that I think of it.
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Post by Julie on Jul 23, 2007 13:30:03 GMT -6
Yeah, it definitely is for me. Whenever I see present tense, it just makes me think of one of those Choose Your Own Adventure stories, even if it's not LOL. I think that's the only context I could see myself writing in present tense; otherwise, it's just weird to me.
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Post by A-RokzStalker on Jul 23, 2007 13:31:57 GMT -6
Like I've said before, I have trouble writing past tense, lol. Present tense is SO much easier for me.
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Post by Julie on Jul 23, 2007 13:35:01 GMT -6
It's kinda weird that it is that way, when you think about it, cause you could take a past tense story and convert it to present tense just by changing the verbs, and vice versa. So it really shouldn't be harder to write one than the other; it's just a matter of preference and a comfort level, I guess.
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Post by A-RokzStalker on Jul 23, 2007 13:41:01 GMT -6
Yeah... with that story I'm writing now, it's kind of past tense INSIDE of present tense, you know? 'Cause the character is looking back on what happened (which will be what a lot of the story is, btw). I think that maybe the 1st person POV has a lot to do with what I write, but yeah, present tense is more comfortable to me.
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Post by jerseygirl on Jul 23, 2007 13:46:35 GMT -6
I read both past and present tense, but I find myself comparing some of the events that happen in the story in present tense to what really is going on now. Like when Nick was dating Paris and a story was in real time with the relationship and the author had things happen that didn't in real life. I had a hard time reading the story.
jenn
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Post by Julie on Jul 23, 2007 13:48:53 GMT -6
Yeah, I know what you mean, Amy.
I think 3rd person vs. 1st person is the one where there are more differences. Your whole style kinda changes when you write in 1st person, compared to 3rd. ("You" as in everyone, not just YOU specifically.) I think that's why I've had fun writing Footprints, cause I don't usually write in 1st person, but it freshens up the story to write it that way. I dunno if I'm very good at it though. I've gotten more into details and description in the last few years, and I find it hard to put a lot of that in with 1st person... it doesn't seem very realistic. On the other hand, 1st person is better for the character's thoughts and personality and voice. Just depends on the kind of story, as for which is better, I guess.
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Post by Julie on Jul 23, 2007 13:52:20 GMT -6
Okay, ignore my random tangents, but...
Screenplay. That's another thing I think of when I'm reading something in present tense. It reads like a screenplay. I just opened up BMS and was looking at the first paragraph, changing the verbs in my head to put it in present tense, and I realized that if I was writing it as a screenplay, that's how I would write it... because then it seems like a scene that you're watching take place right in front of you, like it's happening NOW. But it still felt weird to me to read it like that in story form.
I have no idea if that makes any sense LOL.
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Post by A-RokzStalker on Jul 23, 2007 13:55:17 GMT -6
[reply to your first post, lol] Yep, that's EXACTLY why I like writing in 1st person, because there's a lot more emotion that plays into it; you can actually grasp what the character is REALLY feeling when something happens.
Of course, with 3rd person, you can see what's happening with EVERY character and not just the main character. So, I can definitely see why people would like that.
(btw, yes, you're writing footprints very well in 1st person! lol).
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Post by A-RokzStalker on Jul 23, 2007 13:58:32 GMT -6
Okay, ignore my random tangents, but... Screenplay. That's another thing I think of when I'm reading something in present tense. It reads like a screenplay. I just opened up BMS and was looking at the first paragraph, changing the verbs in my head to put it in present tense, and I realized that if I was writing it as a screenplay, that's how I would write it... because then it seems like a scene that you're watching take place right in front of you, like it's happening NOW. But it still felt weird to me to read it like that in story form. I have no idea if that makes any sense LOL. Complete sense, lol. I actually did that with part of BMS once, lol. Just to see how much of a difference it would make.
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Post by Julie on Jul 23, 2007 14:20:41 GMT -6
Thanks!
What did you think when you did it with BMS? Did you like it better? Worse? Same? LOL
Like I said, if it was a screenplay, I would prefer it in present, but it's just too weird to me to read it that way in novel form.
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Post by A-RokzStalker on Jul 23, 2007 14:22:43 GMT -6
Sure!
Uh... *runs to do it again because I don't remember, lol*
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