tense and tensability

[danistormborn]

I recently submitted a story to a couple of archives. I haven't heard back from one of them (my favorite archive which is currently has a VERY full queue). The other declined my submission at this time

Comments

Zee tense

[dacian_goddess]

I agree that past tense is pretty much the tense of choice in terms of storytelling. I don't see how you can pull off a narrative in present tense; I mean, present tense is fine for something that occurs in the moment, and that you can narrate as you witness it (for instance, a video recording). An entire story, though, is completely different, and I don't think writing it in present tense can do it justice - let alone that you would probably end up needing other tenses, ones that would cause much too big a discrepancy within the story.

The French tense you referred to is sometimes called the "Narrative Past Tense" (as far as I recall); but it's archaic and quite difficult to wield properly (heavily discouraged when writing stories or essays nowadays). The conjugations aren't all that easy, the tense itself makes the story lag, and prevents the reader from actually immersing in the tale and being captivated by the action or character development. Instead, the focus lays on navigating the actual writing and trying to simply follow without getting confused. I once read an otherwise enchanting novel that was a little too heavy on the use of that past tense, and that detracted from the writing and the storyline (in itself brilliant).

Ah well, in somewhat of a non-sequitur, I've contented myself to reviewing until now, but my keyboard is itching to get started on some of those PotterPlace challenges.

Re: Zee tense

[danistormborn]

I definitely agree with you... but it also sounds like a challenge. I'm working on a story that I'm calling The Invisible Story of Invisibility. I'm going to do one thread of it in present tense and the other (longer) thread in past tense. Hopefully, it will work. Even more hopefully, it will add some new meaning.
I'll look forward to hearing your thoughts if and when I decide to post it.