Mixing Tenses

[Alia]

Hi all -

I'm starting a new project and my current idea for the tense might be a little weird:

The prologue-ish chapter one (really short) is in present tense (Posted here: http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=87212)

Then the next 1/3 or 1/2 of the book is in past tense because it's the protag telling what happened previously (See second chapter posted here:http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=87381)

Then the story reaches the time of chapter one and returns to present tense for the rest of the tale.

Does that sound weird? Confusing?

Also, when I describe the protag and various creatures, I was thinking about doing that in present tense even in past tense sections, because the protag is alive and telling the story and has blonde hair still. Strange?

[reenkam]

To me (and remember, this is completely my opinion) I think it sounds fine, mostly. It makes sense, as you told it, because part of the story already happened. Sounds like a good concept to me.

The only thing that would make me hesitate is the present tense within the past. I know some people do this, but (to me) just because something's in the past doesn't mean it's present-exclusive. If you say, "I was tall and skinny", it doesn't mean you're not anymore. You just were at the moment.

If you say your character had blonde hair, it just means she had blonde hair at the time, not that she doesn't have it anymore.

So, while others might disagree, I think you should keep the past tense part all in past tense, and continue with the rest of your idea.

Good luck! :)

[VASteve42]

I don't think your plan sounds at all weird or confusing.

The only item I would be concerned with is using present tense within the past tense section. Mixing tenses within the section could be very confusing, but then again, it all depends on how the transition between tenses is handled.

[Danger Jane]

If the narrator's alive and blonde still, then yes, use present tense.


Remember, basically everything's been done, tense-wise, POV-wise. What you described makes sense. Write it and if it doesn't work, I bet you'll notice in edits or else through critique.

[The Scip]

I am doing the exact same thing with my WIP. It starts with the MC telling a story then jumps into past tense then finally back to present tense.

[ORION]

I mixed past and present in Lottery - My prologue and epilogue are present tense but in the main book when the character talks about the past and then is actively reliving a memory I have it present tense. If it's done smoothly readers don't notice - that's the key.
You can feel when it's right...IMHO

[scarletpeaches]

If the narrator's alive and blonde still, then yes, use present tense...

But she might not have been then. Hair colour changes, as do so many other things. If something in the past is being discussed, keep all variables in the past tense.

For instance, I could say, "I was blonde," which would be true. I was. But I am no longer. Although I suppose if one reads, "I had blonde hair then," the 'then' would imply this is a fact exclusive to the past.

That probably makes no sense.

[Danger Jane]

But she might not have been then. Hair colour changes, as do so many other things. If something in the past is being discussed, keep all variables in the past tense.

For instance, I could say, "I was blonde," which would be true. I was. But I am no longer. Although I suppose if one reads, "I had blonde hair then," the 'then' would imply this is a fact exclusive to the past.

That probably makes no sense.

Well, yea, that's why I said "still". If the character was blonde when the shit went down, and is blonde when she's narrating, use present tense, because "was" reads as "had been then" in a past tense first person story.

[willfs]

Okay, this has been a question I have pondered quite a bit. I admit I am alittle confused about tenses. The fiction I read mixes tenses all the time. I wonder if I have the correct tenses in my writing.

I mix sentences like these

"His brother was dragging a large object out of the woods."

With sentences where I might say

"He dropped the object."


Many times I could easily change tenses to present progressive and it work the same.

"His body had responded well before his mind became consciously aware of his condition."

to

"His body responded well before his mind became consciously aware with his condition."


Is it best to stick with one type of tense if you are talking about one event. I sometimes feel I should stay with some sort of present tense unless its obvious I am wrting about something in the past. Or does it all depend on how it works in the particular story? I think I switch between several tenses (see examples above).

[reenkam]

Okay, this has been a question I have pondered quite a bit. I admit I am alittle confused about tenses. The fiction I read mixes tenses all the time. I wonder if I have the correct tenses in my writing.

I mix sentences like these

"His brother was dragging a large object out of the woods." This is imperfect (past continuous)

With sentences where I might say

"He dropped the object." This is preterite (simple past).

Both of these sentences are past tense, so there's no problem mixing them. When people talk about switching tenses they mean between present, past, and future, not the specific grammatical tenses.

Many times I could easily change tenses to present progressive and it work the same.

"His body had responded well before his mind became consciously aware of his condition." This is pluperfect (past perfect).

to

"His body responded well before his mind became consciously aware with his condition." This is preterite (simple past).

Neither of these are present progessive ("He is dancing" is present progressive). Both pluperfect and preterite are past tense, so you're not really changing anything here, though the sentences do have different meanings, in my opinion

Is it best to stick with one type of tense if you are talking about one event. I sometimes feel I should stay with some sort of present tense unless its obvious I am wrting about something in the past. Or does it all depend on how it works in the particular story? I think I switch between several tenses (see examples above).
.

[Danthia]

I'll play devil's advocate here :) If the prologue is present tense, that means it's happening "in real time" as the reader reads. I assume something interesting is going on in the prologue, so it sounds like what you're essentially doing is stopping the story to go into extended backstory and explain how you got there in the first place. All the warning hairs on the back of my neck quiver at this, but I don't know your story so I can't say for sure if this would be a problem. I'd say be very cautious though.

This has that "36 hours earlier" feel to it, and while sometimes this works great, most times it fails. The punchline is given in the teaser, so who cares about how they got there? You risk stealing your own tension. Exactly where does the "story" start? From your description, it sounds like the present tense stuff if where the story is. I'd say stick to one tense and start the story with the prologue and skip the backstory, inserting parts as you need them. Present or past is up to you. Past tense is standard for fiction, and no one is bothered by the fact that the narrator is telling it "after the fact."

[David I]

The present/past thing is a tool like any other.

Changing tenses asks the reader to adapt to a new voice, so it is making a demand on your audience. If there is a general rule about this, I'd say that you should stick to one tense throughout a book--unless you have a good reason to do otherwise.

But there can be plenty of reasons to do otherwise.

I also don't think you ought to add additional POVs unless you have a good reason. Or additional scenes. Or chapters. Or words.

But the cool thing about writing is that you can try it out and see if it works. If it feels right to do it, why not give it a shot?