Alright, so my novel, so far, is in the evil and hated Present Tense. I have several questions concerning this phenomenon.
The First Question: Does having a present tense novel cut down my chances of getting said novel published?
Second Question: Does present tense detract, for you as a reader, from the story?
Third Question (Which is slightly off topic): Does having a main character (who is 18) share the story line with and adult make it not YA?
Fourth Question: Would having a murder-mystery/romance/fantasy set in present tense even work out?
Please and Thank You!
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27,338 / 50,000
Nov 4, 2009 - 10 09
I write all my novels in present tense. I always have and I always will. I don't think it detracts from your probability of being published because it all depends on the story itself, not the tense. But I don't really see how a mystery would work in present tense. I like present tense because it makes it seem like the reader is in the story, like everything is happening now instead of in the past. I personally love novels in present tense, especially YA novels, since I'm 17 years old. [: Hope that helped.
xo.
----------The dance floor is shredded to pieces. The way you rip it up has got my heart rate increasin'.
1,000 / 50,000
Nov 4, 2009 - 11 35
I greatly enjoy reading short stories in present tense, though I haven't read enough good novels written in present tense to tell if I'd like it in more than 20k. If done well, present tense gives the readers a sense of intimacy and immediacy that's very much desirable, but it's arguably much more difficult to write in present tense than to do so in past.
For my NaNo, I'm also writing in present tense, which I prefer, but might ultimately change it to past if the tense does not work out.
----------People have writer's block not because they can't write, but because they despair of writing eloquently.
livejournal / blogspot / tw
42,193 / 50,000
Nov 4, 2009 - 11 53
Actually, from what I can see lately, more present tense novels are getting published all the time for young adults. I know I've read some recently. One of these was present tense, but I don't remember which:
Dull Boy by Sarah Cross
The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan
Edit: They both are, actually.
Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games and Catching Fire are both present tense.
I think there have been one or two others I've read lately that were present tense, but I can't remember. At any rate, it doesn't bother me at all; in fact, it's becoming my preferred tense for reading, and has been my preferred tense for writing for quite some time.
But I have the same issue with my novel. It could be YA, maybe, except that my MCs are in their twenties. I'm not sure.
----------Stories - a writing community / keptawake @ LJ
75,285 / 50,000
Nov 5, 2009 - 01 52
Sorry not sure about your first question but:
"Second Question: Does present tense detract, for you as a reader, from the story?"
Yes, if not done well... but thats what editing is for ;-)
"Third Question (Which is slightly off topic): Does having a main character (who is 18) share the story line with and adult make it not YA?"
The 'un' written (but often written) law of young adult fiction is that the protagonist should also be a young adult. If the story has young adult themes (eg growing up), or perhaps the characters are younger in maturity it shouldn't be a problem. And even if they aren't rules were meant to be broken!
"Fourth Question: Would having a murder-mystery/romance/fantasy set in present tense even work out?"
mystery/suspense would be fantastic in present tense - it would probably drive the suspense even more as it really pushes the idea of not knowing what it about to happen.
----------"When life snatches your dreams, screws them up into unrecognizable balls of mush and spits them back in your face I just give life the finger and keep going. I'll be damned if I'm going to give anyone the satisfaction of seeing me give up."
- Azrael
14,985 / 50,000
Nov 5, 2009 - 05 33
Others have responded, but I'd like to chime in too:
The First Question: Does having a present tense novel cut down my chances of getting said novel published?
--absolutely not. I've read lots of recently pubbed novels that are in present tense.
Second Question: Does present tense detract, for you as a reader, from the story?
--nope.
Third Question (Which is slightly off topic): Does having a main character (who is 18) share the story line with and adult make it not YA?
--I would say in general, having an adult share the POV would knock it out of YA. That's just my opinion, though.
Fourth Question: Would having a murder-mystery/romance/fantasy set in present tense even work out?
--that sounds complicated! haha. I think you can make anything work if written well enough, so just run with it and see how it works, if you feel present tense is right for your story.
Good luck!
----------Rhonda Stapleton ~ http://www.rhondastapleton.com
Stupid Cupid (book 1) -- December 2009, Simon Pulse
Flirting With Disaster (book 2) -- March 2010, Simon Pulse
Pucker Up (book 3) -- May 2010, Simon Pulse