Writing Question

[mamadeb]

I'm starting the sequel to "Beautiful Boy."

And I think it wants to be present tense, but only in part. How bad would it be if all and only the sex scenes were in present tense? I can even think of some dramatic uses of this - the scene is interrupted and we're back in past tense. OTOH, that can also be very *bad*.

So. Whole thing one tense - probably past? Or get fancy? Or try and see?

Comments

[ataniell93.livejournal.com]

Present tense is immediate. It's also somewhat distancing if misused. I did this once, in one chapter of 'True Minds' when Severus finally lost his virginity to Juliana in a ritual situation, and I'm still not sure I'm happy with it, but it flowed that way.

I think doing it deliberately and for every single sex scene might be a little obvious, and when a writer's stylistic choices become obvious it tends to distract and detract from a story--unless it's a very stylised piece of work.

Interruption=tense change will be very tricky to handle.

You could try writing the whole thing in present tense.

[rosehiptea.livejournal.com]

I haven't read the original story yet but I'd agree that the whole thing in present tense would be easier to handle than parts. Just a thought. Sex scenes in present could be an interesting intense idea. I have to finish the last chapter of a fic written in present pretty soon, with a PG-13 love scene... I'll let you know how it goes LOL

[ataniell93.livejournal.com]

Er, well, I've only read part of the original story. I was just thinking in general terms of what works/doesn't work.

Certain sex scenes don't work well in present tense because they are so fast-moving. I write serials, a chapter at a time, and sometimes a chapter will be in present tense; but I think it's not a good idea to switch tenses unless you can make it seamless, so no-one notices it on the first read.