Present or past tense

From a writer perspective I agree with the above, it depends what suits the story. However I always enjoy reading in past tense rather than present...possibly as I think my little brain has trouble coping with things in present time whilst moving through time! I'd never make a scifi writer would I?

I agree that each story lends itself to a particular tense. First person, present tense can work and be satisfying. The story I have up here is written in this way and it works for me.

On the other hand, the novel I am working on is told from one person's perspective and uses present tense and past tense in flashbacks. It also seems to be working.

Read your story aloud, in both tenses, and try and tune your ear to what sounds most natural and right. It's a very personal thing, but I find actually hearing the words out loud can be an eye opener.

I find present really difficult and slip into past almost immediately so I know which I would choose, but sometimes the story you are writing is better told with an active and immediate voice. You need to assess your context and main character, perhaps writing a few paragraphs in each to see which makes for a better story.