Make Sense of Verb Tense

Verb tense affects the narrative distance. This article is on verb tense and how that affects the viewpoint choices we make.

Understanding Verb Tense in Fiction

The choices are pretty simple because essentially there are only three options for you to choose from: past, present, and future. While future tense is rare in fiction, it's worth exploring alongside the more commonly used past and present tenses.

Present Tense

Immediacy
Present tense makes the reader feel as if they are right there with the main character. This creates a sense of urgency and immediacy.

• Example: In The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, Katniss narrates in present tense, which intensifies the action and keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

Suspense
This is especially important if your story involves the POV character being in peril. If the story is in present tense, the reader won’t know until the end if the POV character survives.

• Example: In Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, the present tense adds to the mystery and suspense as we follow the unreliable narration of Amy and Nick.

It Can Sound a Little Unnatural
Present tense is relatively new in the world of fiction writing. Our ears are more accustomed to hearing stories told in past tense. This can sometimes make present tense sound a bit hokey or gimmicky. The trick here is practice, practice, practice.

• Example: In The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, the use of present tense can feel disorienting at first but ultimately enhances the magical atmosphere of the story.

Past Tense

Distance
The narrator has more distance from the events in the story because they happened in the past. This gives the narrator perspective about those events and allows for hindsight.

• Example: In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Scout Finch recounts her childhood experiences with the wisdom of an adult, adding depth to the narrative.

Location in Time
Using past tense, you need to consider where the narrator is telling the story from. Is the narrator an old man looking back on his early life? Is she telling the story just after having lived through it?

• Example: In The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Nick Carraway tells the story of Jay Gatsby from a future standpoint, reflecting on the events that transpired.

Less Suspense
If you’re writing in 1st person or 3rd person limited and it’s past tense, the implication is that the POV character has lived to tell the tale. This could lessen suspense if your novel is centered on whether or not the POV character survives.

• Example: In The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, the use of past tense allows Death, the narrator, to reflect on the story with a mix of detachment and melancholy.

Future Tense

Speculative Nature
Future tense can be intriguing and speculative, suggesting possibilities and uncertainties about what might happen.

• Example: In The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood, the future tense is occasionally used in Offred's thoughts to speculate on possible outcomes of her situation.

Projection
This tense projects the characters’ intentions, plans, or predictions, adding a layer of anticipation and expectation.

• Example: In The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin, future tense is used in dialogues and internal monologues to project plans and possible events.

Rare and Unusual
Entire novels or short stories written solely in future tense are rare, but they do exist and can create a unique reading experience.

• Example: In Futureland by Walter Mosley, the use of future tense in some stories helps to build a dystopian world that feels both imminent and speculative.

Choosing the Right Tense

When it comes to tense in fiction writing, there’s only one “rule” you need to remember: be consistent. If you decide to write in present tense, stay in the present. If you choose past tense, stay in the past. And if you venture into future tense, maintain that choice throughout.

Present Tense Cheat Sheet

• Pros: Immediacy, suspense, freshness.
• Cons: Can feel unnatural, less conventional.

Past Tense Cheat Sheet

• Pros: Distance, perspective, familiarity.
• Cons: Potentially less suspense, may seem more detached.

Future Tense Cheat Sheet

• Pros: Speculative, anticipatory, unique.
• Cons: Less common, can be disorienting.

In the end, it all comes down to this: Choose wisely. Be consistent. And don’t tear the fabric of the space-time continuum.