Moriartea
New member
- Joined
- Oct 9, 2012
- Member Type
- Student or Learner
- Native Language
- English
- Home Country
- United States
- Current Location
- United States
I'm sorry if this is a ridiculous question or something, but it's been bothering me for the past hour and everyone I've asked has either said one way or the other - though hasn't particularly explained why.
I'm writing a story ( very short, amateur story ) that's written in the form of a journal, I guess.
In it, the character which is narrating it all ( I'll just call him John ) is clarifying all the events that happened the week before to his brother ( but rather than telling him in person, he's writing it. For minor reasons. )
So, I'm wondering, is it a bad idea to use present tense? They way I've done it is rather strange, and I'm almost positive switching from past to present tense at all is frowned upon, so suggestions would be lovely!
So, as an example, it goes like this:
'John' starts of the journal ( Or letter? ) mainly addressing his brother and explaining how the next few events he's about to explain are probably "unbelievable to an extent in which he has no reasonable explanation", before that 'chapter', 'prologue', or whatever it is ends, and then he begins explaining like an everyday journal, what happened.
Now the beginning I've got in all past tense, but when I begin to actually describe the events that took place, I use present tense. I know past tense is probably the way to go, but I think present tense would help with describing a lot of it, and with suspenseful things, and what not.
Have an example if that helps, but I feel like I've already rambled too much.
Thanks!
I'm writing a story ( very short, amateur story ) that's written in the form of a journal, I guess.
In it, the character which is narrating it all ( I'll just call him John ) is clarifying all the events that happened the week before to his brother ( but rather than telling him in person, he's writing it. For minor reasons. )
So, I'm wondering, is it a bad idea to use present tense? They way I've done it is rather strange, and I'm almost positive switching from past to present tense at all is frowned upon, so suggestions would be lovely!
So, as an example, it goes like this:
'John' starts of the journal ( Or letter? ) mainly addressing his brother and explaining how the next few events he's about to explain are probably "unbelievable to an extent in which he has no reasonable explanation", before that 'chapter', 'prologue', or whatever it is ends, and then he begins explaining like an everyday journal, what happened.
Now the beginning I've got in all past tense, but when I begin to actually describe the events that took place, I use present tense. I know past tense is probably the way to go, but I think present tense would help with describing a lot of it, and with suspenseful things, and what not.
Have an example if that helps, but I feel like I've already rambled too much.
Thanks!