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Enchanted Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

Tense in novels.

hi,

When reading novels, i noticed that some were written in past tense, some in present tense.

I'd like to know. what is the difference between this two formal, and why authors choose one of them?

thanks,

Ench
  

Top answer

Authors choose one or the other because they think it will allow them to tell their story better. The past tense is someone telling a story that has already happened, while for the present tense the story is still on-going. A very common choice is to write the narrative in the past tense and the dialogue in the present tense.

— Ferdis

  • Authors choose one or the other because they think it will allow them to tell their story better.
  • The past tense is someone telling a story that has already happened, while for the present tense the story is still on-going.
  • A very common choice is to write the narrative in the past tense and the dialogue in the present tense.
  • For more information you could look up "narrative stance" on the internet.
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4 Answers
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Authors choose one or the other because they think it will allow them to tell their story better. The past tense is someone telling a story that has already happened, while for the present tense the story is still on-going. A very common choice is to write the narrative in the past tense and the dialogue in the present tense. For more information you could look up "narrative stance" on the intern
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ferdis has explained very well what happens here. An inexperienced writer should not attempt to "play" with the tenses.
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Both,
I search on the net, it seems not too much material I found talking about this.

When you say, don't play with the tense, it is a little beyond my understanding as to the definition of play.

links would be appretiated.

thanks,

Ench
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EnchantedI search on the net, it seems not too much material I found talking about this.
I believe this is what you are looking for:
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