Does anyone have any thoughts on writing in the first person, present tense

by Sarah Dyne
20th January 2014

Does anyone have any views on writing in the first person, present...there are several young adult books out there written this way, notably the Hunger Games. I personally enjoy reading SOME books written this way.

My first attempt at writing was in the close third/ past tense. I decided it didn't work well with the story I was telling so I switched to the first person point of view. Somehow without quite realising it my story fell into the present tense, and now I'm worried.

I get the impression only experienced writers can write in the present tense, first person, and most people hate this type of writing. In fact the more I try to get a POV on this, the more I hear it is madness for a novice to attempt this method. Sadly I have spent 8 months writing nearly the whole first draft this way...am I wasting my time here...

HELP

Replies

Thanks all for your encouraging comments

and Tiago I'm glad you find it easy

I find it hard slog...but I love it all the same

It takes so long.......I get impatient to finish, the nearer I get the further away the goal posts move

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Sarah
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Sarah Dyne
21/01/2014

Besides, what better way to waste time than writing! Everything we write should challenge us to improve our craft. Even published authors don't always get it write!

The amount of redrafts I go through is huge but each time I redraft I discover something new!

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Mark J Braybrook
21/01/2014

I find writing in the first person gives the story a more powerful voice. But it can also limit you by just showing/telling what they think, feel and see. I have written my last two short stories in the first person and I do enjoy it.

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Amanda Harvey
20/01/2014