Poll #52: Which Tense?

[Andy]

Do you typically write in the past or present tense?

[appleofmyeye]

Past. It seems more books are written that way, right :confused:?

[Andy]

Same here. I also think it would sounds a bit awkward, especially in very long books.

For prose, anyway. Poetry it sounds much better, I think.

[Lykaios]

I use past, but sometimes with present if it works, but it doesn't always.
I use present in poetry though as I think it makes it flow better or something. :)

[Majyk]

I don't write poetry, only novels, so I always use past. I think I would completely mess my book up if I tried to write it in a different tense :p

[Simmi]

I usually write in present and past in the same piece since I change point of views.

[Starry]

I've tried to write in present tense...it doesn't work. At all. So I'm sticking to past.

[Andy]

I usually write in present and past in the same piece since I change point of views.How come? Is one taking place in the past and the other the present?

[appleofmyeye]

Wait, I take that back. Whenever I am writing a diary entry/flashback I use present tense.

[jordanisonfire]

Future! Who the hell writes in past? xP

[Nyx]

I write short stories/novels in past tense and poetry sometimes present sometimes past. I've never used future tense.

[Crocolyle]

I prefer reading and writing fiction in the past tense. A lot of my friends write in the present tense, but sometimes it works really well, particularly if the story is in first person and contains flashbacks.

[blue phoenix]

I think I write in present...
How the heck do you write in FUTURE tense, that's weird?

[Crocolyle]

Impromptu Story in the Future Tense:

Soon, John will stop typing away at his keyboard, as a mist overtakes his eyes, and he finds himself falling into a deep sleep. He will glance at the clock and noting the late hour, he will begin making preparations for bed--as always, when he realizes how late it gets.

Yawning, he will brush his teeth and spit out the Listerine burning his tongue. He will scratch himself, lazily gazing in the mirror. He will wonder where his life had gone, taken up by nearly sleepless nights writing and the meaningless days at the office in between. Finally, he will stop. He will stop typing away his life, leaving both the truths and untruths for someone else to tell. He will feel the mist overtake his soul, and he will fall into a sleep he has never known. Maybe it won't be tonight, but even he knows it will be soon.

EDIT: Apparently I have a knack for killing conversations...

[Andy]

I think I write in present...
How the heck do you write in FUTURE tense, that's weird?
Most people don't even consider it, and I imagine it would only be for very short pieces, maybe poetry. "You and I will be together. We will do such and such and we will be happy."

Still, it is an option for writers.

[Double A]

Past! :D

[Melo]

I write in all tenses, depending on what it is I'm writing.

[Shaun]

I've mostly written in past tense, but lately I've been experimenting more with present tense. I find present tense can be really interesting, but also really difficult. But so be it!

[Lizzie]

Past: Its easier.

[Elisa]

I like writing in past and present tense. I don't often write in present tense but it's pretty enjoyable. And it's nice to change writing tenses once in a while

[Nyrihaz]

I write in past tense normally, and then some in present. It depends of what I'm writing. But past is easier for me.

[BittenxApple]

I've never read anything in future tense. It'd be dead weird.

[TenshiYoukai]

Well, I mostly write in past, but lately I've been messing around with present. It's kind of weird at first, but for something with a lot of sexual tension *cough* it's really useful. Especially when you can break off mid-sentence to suggest something happening, you know? It seems to work best with first-person.

[SapphireSeaBird]

Past and occasionally present. Future would be hard =/

[Clawfire]

Past mostly...

[dragonheart]

I find present easier to work with but I might do a little bit of past.

[FayGee]

I do past usually. I think that's the most common, so I guess I'm boring. ;)