Craft Glossary · term

Tense

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Plain English: Past tense (default, invisible, flexible) vs. present tense (immediate, "you-are-there", intense — and tiring over a long book).

Rule: Past is the safe default and disappears; choose present only for a deliberate immediacy effect, and stay consistent.

Fail: Unintended tense-slipping mid-scene; or present tense chosen by fashion and then fighting you across 90k words.

Arjuna Badger Press · Craft Library