Doing Julnowrimo.
I can't decide which VP to do: 1st person-present tense, 3rd person-past tense, or 3rd person-present tense.
Doing 1st person present seems to be easiest but I don't think I can handle it with 3 MCs and make their voices distinctive.
3rd person past is pretty standard, but it lacks immediacy.
3rd person present is what I want to ask about. What are the pros and cons of using this technique? I only know that it's rarely seen in fiction. I wonder if it'd be too tacky for the whole novel.
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60,054 / 50,000
Jul 3, 2008 - 10 47
Moving to Writing 101
50,103 / 50,000
Jul 3, 2008 - 12 46
Reccommended reading: Orson Scott Card's "Character and Viewpoint." There's whole chapters on tenses.
Past tense is the natural tense for story-telling. It's invisible, so you notice the story, not the tense. Present tense makes it sound like a joke and less easy to believe. "Two men walk into a bar . . ."
First person only seems easiest, but it can be hard to do well. Also, it makes it more difficult to switch viewpoints.
24,565 / 50,000
Jul 7, 2008 - 18 16
Don't do 3rd person present, it would be too tacky for a whole novel. I suggest the standard one, 3rd person past. Because their are a lot of people that can't stand present tense books. And well, it just makes more sense when its in past tense.
50,103 / 50,000
Jul 8, 2008 - 12 08
If you're looking for more immediacy, go for deep penetration -- really being inside the character's head, seeing and knowing only what they see and know.
There's a reason why this is the most popular tense.
50,008 / 50,000
Jul 9, 2008 - 23 09
1st person is easy but be careful, your character shouldn't do too much explaining - better to show through actions and dialog than long narrative.
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Jul 10, 2008 - 15 20
Oh, and just to throw it out, from what I've read...second-person future is right out. As is any future tense really...
63,376 / 50,000
Jul 11, 2008 - 08 37
Go for 3rd person past, it's pretty much always the best choice. It doesn't lack immediacy unless the story is boring :)