Nov 03 2008
The Truth About First Person Present Tense
I noticed that my recent post “Wrestling Present Tense Narrative,” has been getting a number of hits per day. It seems there are many other confused writers out there searching for answers on this controversial topic.
Since this question carries extraordinary popularity, I decided to delve deeper into other writers’ opinions and (more importantly) what editors want from a submission.
For those of you who were faithful readers of NY literary agent Miss Snark’s ubiquitous blog (which has now ‘gone dark’), you may recognize the following letter she received from a fellow editor:
“Miss Snark,
… I have a question for all the novelists out there. Why is practically every novel I get on submission written in the first person present tense? Do novelists learn this in school? Do they think it’s a novel way to write? If, for once, I can open my evening’s reading and find a departure from this oh-so-tired way of thinking, I would immediately raise it to the top of my list of priorities .”
http://misssnark.blogspot.com/2005/10/miss-snark-loves-you.html
Very harsh words of chastisement for writers with a propensity toward first person, present tense (you should give yourself a slap for being so naughty).
In terms of general writers, there seems to be a mixed-bag of opinions. Some firmly believe that first person, present tense should be banned from all literature. Some think that it’s simply too risky (an editor could always ask you to change tense later, but they may be annoyed seeing it right off the bat). Furthermore, some wonder what all the fuss is about: if it works, it works.
In truth, have you ever heard someone say, “I can’t stand stories written in third-person, past tense?”
Food for thought.
