Mastering the Present Tense: A Writer's Guide to Crafting Novels in Present Tense Style

One of the key decisions you'll need to make as you're writing a novel or short story is which verb tense to use. In fiction, tense is used to describe when things happen. Typically, books are written in either past tense (the events of the story are in the narrator's past) or present tense (the events occur to the narrator now). A third style, future tense, is much less common.

In this post, we'll explore how to use the literary present tense, and how to know if it's right for your story.

What is "present tense"?

Present tense is used to express actions happening in the present moment. For example, “I am writing” or “She is running” would be written in the present tense. When comparing past and present tense, the main difference is that in past tense, the action has already occurred. For example, “I wrote” or “She ran.” Present tense provides a sense of immediacy for readers, as it conveys a sense of urgency and places them firmly within the moment. When deciding on whether to use past or present tense, remember to consider the type of story you are writing and your desired effect.

When should a writer consider using the present tense?

There is no hard and fast rule as to when you should use present tense. Start drafting what you want to write, and as the story progresses, you may find that your tense choice changes to fit the needs of the book. That said, there are some stories that lend themselves well to the present tense.

Many YA novels are told in first-person present tense. This combination is popular because it creates an immediate, immersive experience that mirrors the intense, moment-to-moment reality of adolescence. It allows young readers to deeply connect with the protagonist’s thoughts and feelings, fostering a sense of intimacy and relatability that enhances the emotional impact of the story.

Novels written in the present tense also feel more cinematic, which can be beneficial for fast-paced, plot-driven stories. For example, thrillers like Paula Hawkins' The Girl on the Train are often told through present-tense writing. (Hawkins' novel also uses an unreliable narrator, which is another option to consider when writing fiction in the present tense!)

Tips for writing in the present tense

Develop a consistent voice:

One of the most essential skills to master is developing a consistent narrative voice. This means establishing a clear perspective and point of view for your story, and maintaining a consistent tense throughout. For example, in Emma Donoghue's Room, the story is told in the present tense through the eyes of Jack, a five-year-old boy:

I jump onto Rocker to look at Watch, he says 07:14. I can skateboard on Rocker without holding on to her, then I whee back onto Duvet and I’m snowboarding instead. “When are presents meant to open?”

“Either way would be fun. Will I choose for you?” asks Ma.

“Now I’m five, I have to choose.” My finger’s in my mouth again, I put it in my armpit and lock shut. “I choose —  now.” 

Jack's narrative voice keeps the reader immersed in the claustrophobic immediacy of the novel's setting.

Embrace deep point of view (POV)

Books written in the present tense don't have to be told in first person to close the distance between the characters and the reader. Deep POV in the third person is a great way to immerse readers in the character's experience, allowing them to feel the emotions and sensations in the present moment rather than describing them from a distance. A classic example of this is Michael Cunningham's novel The Hours, which is told from three different third person point-of-view characters in present tense: 

What a thrill, what a shock, to be alive in a morning in June, prosperous, almost scandalously privileged, with a simple errand to run. She, Clarissa Vaughan, an ordinary person (at this age, why bother trying to deny it?) has flowers to buy and a party to give. As Clarissa steps down from the vestibule her shoe makes gritty contact with the red-brown, mica-studded stone of the first stair.

Using present tense and deep third point of view together can truly bring a story to life, creating a vivid and engaging experience. 

Focus on the present moment

One of the main benefits of present tense is that it forces writers to focus on the action in the present moment, rather than dwelling on backstory or events from the past. This can be helpful for writers who want to avoid long expositions or info-dumps and instead create a more immersive and engaging story. By keeping your narrative firmly rooted in the present, you'll be able to keep readers engaged with an active, fast-paced plot. In Suzanne Collins's The Hunger Games, the reader experiences Katniss's terrifying moments in the Arena along with her: 

I’d better get out of here, I think. They’ll be making a beeline for the place. But once I’m on my feet, I realize escape may not be so simple. I’m dizzy. Not the slightly wobbly kind, but the kind that sends the trees swooping around you and causes the earth to move in waves under your feet. I take a few steps and somehow wind up on my hands and knees. I wait a few minutes to let it pass, but it doesn’t.

Panic begins to set in. I can’t stay here. Flight is essential. But I can neither walk nor hear. I place a hand to my left ear, the one that was turned toward the blast, and it comes away bloody. Have I gone deaf from the explosion? The idea frightens me. I rely as much on my ears as my eyes as a hunter, maybe more at times. But I can’t let my fear show. Absolutely, positively, I am live on every screen in Panem.

By minimizing flashbacks and backstory, you can streamline the narrative's pacing, allowing readers to devour your story without getting bogged down in too much explanation or detail. Present tense also gives writers more control over how quickly events unfold within a narrative, allowing them to create intense moments of anticipation or draw out suspenseful climaxes.

Create a sense of continuous movement

Since the present tense often implies a sense of continuous movement, using active voice can help create and maintain this feeling throughout your story. By avoiding passive language, you'll be able to craft a story that is both engaging and fluid. An example of using active voice instead of passive would be, “John's grilling the steak," rather than "the steak is being grilled by John."

Present participles can also be very effective for creating a continuous sense of action and motion throughout your story. Present participles are composed of a verb with the "-ing" ending added to it. By using them when appropriate, you can create vivid scenes that will draw readers in and keep them invested in what's happening. Present participles are often used to transition between scenes or chapters in stories, allowing writers to move effortlessly from one moment to the next without disrupting the narrative's flow. By employing present participles, you can avoid awkward sentence structures and provide more detail about ongoing actions or events in the present moment.

Common Pitfalls of writing in the present tense

Inconsistent verb tense usage

It's easy to switch between past and present tense when you're in the midst of writing. This can confuse readers as they try to decipher which verb tense is being used‌. To avoid this, it's important to stay mindful of your verb tenses throughout the story and keep them consistent.

If you find yourself switching back and forth between past and present, take a step back and re-read the passage out loud to make sure all your verbs are in the same tense. You can also develop a system for marking past and present tense verbs as you go, such as highlighting them in two different colors, or by asking for feedback from a critique partner or beta readers.

Lack of clarity in time markers and transitions

If you're not careful, it's easy to lose the reader in a sea of present tense, providing no clear markers for where they are in the story. To help ground your readers in the present moment, include time markers and transitions throughout your narrative. These should be descriptive enough to provide context but brief enough to keep the story's momentum.

You can use present participles and active voice to create a sense of continuous motion throughout your narrative and avoid switching between past and present tense. Other ways you may show shifts in time without switching tenses is by using techniques such as italicized words or phrases, parenthetical statements, allusions to the past, or descriptive transitions.

Ready to write a novel in the present tense?

Present tense writing can be a powerful tool for creating an engaging and well-paced story. However, it's essential to stay mindful throughout the narrative so that readers don't become confused or lost. By using the tips above, you can craft captivating stories that will keep readers invested from beginning to end!