Mastering Past Tense Writing

The choice of tense can influence the impact of your storytelling, immersing readers in a narrative that has already unfolded. In this post, we'll look at the art of writing in the past tense, offering valuable tips to help you master this technique. We'll also explore common pitfalls writers make when writing a novel in past tense and how to overcome them. So grab your keyboard or pen, and let’s dive in!

What is “past tense”?

Past tense is the completed verb form that describes events that have already occurred (that is, happened in the past.) It's perfect for storytelling or factual narration as it keeps the focus on what has happened. Past tense provides a sense of completeness and hindsight, adding immediacy and evoking specific emotions. Unlike present tense, which immerses us in the action as it unfolds, past tense takes us on a voyage through time. 

When should you write in past tense or present tense?

To know which narrative tense to use in your story, consider the tone, pacing, and overall mood you want to achieve. If you're telling a story from a historical context, past tense may be the most appropriate, while present tense can lend more urgency and excitement to your story, which can be great if you're writing a thriller.

For example, Suzanne Collins’s The Hunger Games is written in the present tense, creating a sense of immediacy:

When I wake up, the other side of the bed is cold. My fingers stretch out, seeking Prim's warmth, but finding only the rough canvas cover of the mattress. She must have had bad dreams and climbed in with our mother. Of course, she did. This is the day of the reaping.

Compare this present tense opening to the first lines of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit:

In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort.

The past tense provides a sense of distance, making the tale feel like a legend passed down through time. 

A third tense in fiction, future tense, is rarely used in novels because this tense can feel unnatural for sustained storytelling. However, if your creative writing is more experimental, you might use future tense to create unique narrative effects.

Which POV works best for past tense?

In the example above, The Hobbit is told in third person point of view (POV). This adds to the reader's distance from the story, because the narrator is not a character. In contrast, The Hunger Games is told in first person present tense. The hero, Katniss, herself is the narrator, which shortens the distance between the reader and what Katniss experiences as the story is unfolding. 

This doesn't mean you can't write in the present tense with a third-person narrator, or in first-person past tense. As the author, you'll need to decide which combination of POV and narrative tense works best for your story. Whether you choose past or present tense, be sure to stay consistent throughout your novel to avoid confusing your reader. 

How to write in the past tense

To maintain consistent past tense narration throughout your story, vigilance is key. Accidental tense shifts can disrupt the immersive reading experience crafted. Pay attention to verbs, sentence structure, and narrative voice to showcase mastery. Utilizing past tense allows readers to invest in your world fully.

Tips for maintaining consistency include:

1. Carefully re-reading out loud sections you’ve written to ensure the tense is consistent.
2. Taking breaks when writing so that your mind is fresh and able to spot any mistakes in tense.
3. Keeping a list of verb conjugations handy for reference.
4. Ensuring any dialogue is kept in the same tense as the main narrative.

Develop characters and dialogue in past tense

Past tense storytelling reveals character actions and conversations as already unfolded events, allowing readers to experience retrospective glimpses into the characters' journeys and growth. The characters’ dialogue should use words like “did” or “was” instead of “do” and “is.” Use dialogue to reflect each character's unique traits, manners, and personalities, showcasing their development over time, and use past tense to convey the emotional depth the characters have already experienced.

Techniques for using past tense to create engaging character interactions:

1. Prioritize subtext: ideal for characters with shared history, past tense narratives allow exploration into unspoken tensions and add depth.
2. Use flashback conversations: provide insight into past events or relationships by using dialogue with flashbacks.
3. Show character development: use dialogue to show the evolution of characters over time and how their past experiences have affected their perspectives, relationships, and personal growth. This shows depth and nuance in your characters’ interactions.
4. Create conflicts and tension: use past tense to highlight past conflicts that still influence the present, generate tension, and drive the plot forward.
5. Balance exposition with action: past tense can reveal information naturally and maintain an engaging pace in the story.

Simple past tense

The simple past is the most basic and commonly used form of past tense. It describes actions or events that were completed in the past without necessarily linking them to any other point in time. This tense is easy to recognize because it often involves regular verbs ending in -ed or irregular verbs in their past forms (e.g., "She walked to the store.")

 In storytelling, the simple past is the backbone of past-tense narration. It provides a clear, direct way to describe events unfolding in the narrative. It's often used to keep the story moving forward, giving readers a sense of progression and action.

Perfect past tense

Past perfect tense describes events that happened before a certain point in the past. It’s usually constructed with “had” plus a verb, allowing writers to refer back to specific moments in time while maintaining a sense of flow. For instance, when an event from the past interrupts someone’s current thought or conversation, past perfect tense can be used to describe the interruption: “He was preparing dinner when his mind drifted back to the war he had fought ten years ago.”

In this example, “had fought” conveys that something happened before a particular time. This type of construction can be used throughout any story to create a timeline of events. Conveying an action or event that occurred before another past action or event enables the creation of a precise sequence of events.

Use past perfect tense selectively in your storytelling to avoid awkwardness. Be mindful of its impact on the narrative's pace and clarity.

Common pitfalls to avoid

When writing in past tense, there are a few common pitfalls that writers may encounter. Knowing these challenges can help you navigate past-tense storytelling more effectively. Some common mistakes include:

1. Inconsistent tense: Mixing past and present tense inadvertently can confuse readers and disrupt the flow of the story.
2. Overusing passive voice: Avoid relying too heavily on passive voice constructions. Active voice generally adds more energy and immediacy to the narrative.
3. Too much introspection: Focusing too much on a character’s inner monologue or emotions can halt the forward momentum of a story.
4. Not considering readers: Don’t forget to consider your reader's perspective when making tense-related decisions. Keeping them engaged is just as important as crafting the right prose.

How to overcome challenges in past tense writing

To overcome these challenges and improve your writing skills, consider the following strategies:

1. Revise and edit: Thoroughly revise your work to ensure your verb tense matches and identify any instances of inconsistency or lapses into present tense.
2. Read and study past tense narratives: Read books or stories written in past tense to familiarize yourself with the style and structure. Analyze how authors handle verb tense and engage with the narrative.
3. Seek feedback: Share your work with other writers, critique partners, or trusted beta readers who can provide constructive feedback on any issues they notice related to past tense usage.
4. Practice writing exercises: Regularly engage in writing exercises specifically focused on past tense to reinforce your understanding and strengthen your skills.
5. Grammatical resources: Consult grammar guides or online resources that offer detailed explanations and examples of verb tense usage, such as ProwritingAid, Grammarly, or Autocrit.
6. Writing communities and workshops: Join writing communities or participate in workshops where you can receive guidance, share experiences, and learn from other writers who use past tense in their stories.

Will you write your novel in the past tense?

To truly master the art of fiction writing in past tense, it is essential to practice and experiment with this narrative style. Use the tips above to practice writing stories in past tense. With time and effort, your skills will improve, and you’ll be able to write with greater confidence and depth.