Writing Mastery

10 Responses to “Do you find writing a novel in first person and present tense best?”

1. Leasha // Aug 31, 2009 at 5:54 pm

   yes
   sometimes flashbacks to make it a little more interesting
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2. mybogo100 // Aug 31, 2009 at 6:11 pm

   That’s how i usually write my stories, not novels, just stories I make; it’s easiest to do. If your looking to be different people in different situations, then choose third person.
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3. lizzie // Aug 31, 2009 at 7:00 pm

   I like first person Third is fine too, but I prefer first person.

   I actually *hate* novels in the present tense. I have no idea why, but it bugs me.
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4. Amazingly Awesome gurl~101 // Aug 31, 2009 at 7:43 pm

   First person if you are writting a romance or drama novel.
   Present tense if its adventer or thrilling/action.
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5. Jasey Rae // Aug 31, 2009 at 8:01 pm

   As am I. I tried writing past tense, but, I don’t know, I feel like I am telling the story so I should tell it as it is happening..not how it did happen. I think it is all about what you are comfortable with. I wouldn’t change my story to fit what other people prefer because it just doesn’t work for me.
   Good luck with your novel.
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6. thecangopher // Aug 31, 2009 at 8:47 pm

   I think first person present tense is a bit awkward for the reader UNLESS your using it as a narrative device: it somehow furthers or develops the story in some way. Bloggers use first person present but their not usually telling stories, they’re just relating moments. But if your doing it just to do it…Id say stick to first person past tense – like a bio type story, or a third person narrative.
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7. mr.treadmill // Aug 31, 2009 at 9:15 pm

   I prefer the third person so the reader feels like he is present, but unseen & not part of the story. This gives greater flexibility since the reader is in a position to know various thing that are going on that no individual character could know.
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8. BleuBleu // Aug 31, 2009 at 9:30 pm

   Well, first of all you have what my first English teacher would call, " Poetic or creative writer’s license." It is your novel and you may do whatever you believe is best but if you truly want my opinion, I’ll be glad to give it.
   I find exciting novels written in present great and when they are written in first person I find them often quite personal and inspiring. It all depends on what you hope your novel to say to your readers. Good luck with your novels and I hope this answer helps!
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9. jg3232323232323232 // Aug 31, 2009 at 9:42 pm

   I like 3 rd person because it allows you to see all characters. Yet I think it would be good to characterize all the other characters very well with different opions from other people not just the narrarator in your book so that you can devdlop the story well.

   I think present tense is best but flashbacks would be cool.
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10. Janie // Aug 31, 2009 at 10:29 pm

    I prefer third person, past tense.
    Present tense just annoys me, and 1st person is too overdone I guess. Plus, I can connect with third person better.
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