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Comments

Re: X or Y

[(Anonymous)]

CYRT

I feel like it's maybe that present tense gives less of a concrete sense of how much time is passing, which can work nicely for capturing a moment in detail without making readers hyper-aware that we've just spent X number of words on very little actually happening outside the characters' heads, but can also be used to create a surreal and dreamy feel where things are disconnected, or evoke a sense of days running together and characters being stuck in a rut or particular frame of mind. OTOH, I feel like something plotty or fast-paced like a mystery or action thriller that relies on things clicking together over a clear timeframe or wants to create a sense of urgency and race against the clock works better in past.

Re: X or Y

[(Anonymous)]

CYRT

Yes, exactly. I assume that's why a lot of people like present tense for pwp/porn. I don't read porn, but I can imagine that present tense would feel appropriate for it, because of that sense of immediacy and "capturing a moment in detail."

Re: X or Y

[(Anonymous)]

This is a great explanation. Also I think, if it’s a written canon, I’ve seen fic writers generally try to follow the tense of the canon

Re: X or Y

[(Anonymous)]

Actually, I think mysteries are a PERFECT use of a very tight present-tense POV. The goal is to have your reader solve the mystery 1 page before the detective, and that deliberate restriction of info is valuable for it.

Re: X or Y

[(Anonymous)]

The cardinal sin of mystery writing is withholding information the detective knows or revealing information they have no way of knowing, and tight POV helps with avoiding this. I can imagine present tense being useful too.