Writing in Past Tense and Present Tense
There is no
golden rule that a novel can’t be written in both past tense and present tense.
But there’s an unwritten rule that says you shouldn’t mix them.
So what’s
the difference? Which one is right?
This
unwritten rule is often confused by writers as meaning that present can’t be
used with past and vice versa. But the unwritten rule refers to the writer mixing
tenses within the same chapter or scene. This generally doesn’t work
well and can look untidy, and it may appear confusing to the reader, unless it’s
expressly a flashback and hinted to the reader.
But there is
nothing stopping a writer from writing one chapter or new scene in past and others
in the present, or some in present and others in the past, if done correctly.
This approach keeps things tidy and allows the reader to follow the writer’s
intentions.
Present
stories sometimes rely on past events to show the reader certain things – we know
these as reminiscences or flashbacks, and these are permissible because the
past makes up the present (not the other way around). Present stories sometimes
need to show things that happened in the past to provide information and
backstory to the plot.
But what
about past tense stories? It could be argued that if the story is being
narrated from sometime within the past, then logically it can’t show things in
the present. And to a degree that is true, but when we consider the wider scope
on how past and present tenses work, we can actually let the present in on past
tense, and this can work because we have to allow for characters that are
recounting their past story – normal past tense – but may be living in the
present. This means current thoughts and feelings occur at that present time.
You might
have a main character whose story is past tense, mixed in with the antagonist,
who observes things in the present. You may have a main character whose story
is in the past but – years later – reflects about things from the present.
There are all manner of ways it can be done. But as long as the writing is
tight, succinct, and both voice and style are clear, then there is no reason
why writers shouldn’t write from both tenses.
Many novels
take this approach where the main character’s story is told in both tenses,
making sure that each tense is observed correctly and that the reader
immediately knows there is a change.
Careful planning
is needed to make it work, so if it’s not executed properly, it may not be
effective and can prove distracting or confusing to readers. The approach doesn’t
always work, as not every story will benefit from this method, so sometimes
writers should experiment to see where it takes them.
So, remember
there is no golden rule. If writing in both past and present tense for various
characters serves the story, then go with it.
Next week: Writing
Slumps – how to avoid them
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