How to avoid tense switches.

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BlueLucario

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Has anyone ever had this problem were you constantly switch verb tenses? This was by far the most annoying problem i had in any of my writing.

Am I the only one with this problem? How do I prevent this from happening in the future?
 
Bufty

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Concentrate.

BlueLucario said:
Has anyone ever had this problem [were where] you constantly switch verb tenses? This was by far the most annoying problem i had in any of my writing.

Am I the only one with this problem? How do I prevent this from happening in the future?
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maestrowork

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BlueLucario said:
Has anyone ever had this problem were you constantly switch verb tenses? This was by far the most annoying problem i had in any of my writing.

Am I the only one with this problem? How do I prevent this from happening in the future?
Click to expand...


What Bufty said. Concentrate. If you're writing about things happening in the past, then use past tense. Why are you writing "she opens the door" if it's in the past? There's no excuse except for being unfocused or lazy.

Then again, just write. Everything can be fixed in rewrites. Just make sure you know what you're looking for. I think simply knowing you have that problem is a good first step.
 
IceCreamEmpress

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BlueLucario said:
Has anyone ever had this problem were you constantly switch verb tenses? This was by far the most annoying problem i had in any of my writing.
Click to expand...

You're not kidding--you did it right here!

Am I the only one with this problem? How do I prevent this from happening in the future?
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Write more carefully. Edit your drafts carefully. Read them over several times.
 
ErylRavenwell

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BlueLucario said:
Has anyone ever had this problem were you constantly switch verb tenses? This was by far the most annoying problem i had in any of my writing.

Am I the only one with this problem? How do I prevent this from happening in the future?
Click to expand...

Really? With me it's the opposite. I write in the past tense (which for simplicity's sake includes past perfect, future in the past etc) as unconsciously, thoughtlessly as I breathe. But when it comes to switching tenses (dialogue for instance), I usually have to concentrate. As just right now, I'm writing in the present tense, first person, and this taxes my brain significantly.

well, I suggest you spend more time reading. This'll get your brain tuned in. :D
 
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Dragon-lady

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BlueLucario said:
Has anyone ever had this problem were you constantly switch verb tenses? This was by far the most annoying problem i had in any of my writing.

Am I the only one with this problem? How do I prevent this from happening in the future?
Click to expand...
Well, sometimes you are supposed to switch tenses, say between past and past perfect. I don't quite understand your problem.
 
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