Past Tense:
* Pros:
* Traditional: It's the most common tense in fiction, making it familiar and comfortable for readers.
* Distance: It creates a sense of distance between the reader and the events, allowing for more reflection and analysis.
* Flexibility: It allows for easier transitions between different points in time.
* Cons:
* Can feel detached: Some writers feel it can make the story feel less immediate and engaging.
* Less dynamic: It can sometimes make action sequences less vivid.
Present Tense:
* Pros:
* Immediacy: It creates a sense of immediacy and pulls the reader directly into the action.
* More dynamic: It can make action sequences more thrilling and visceral.
* Voice: It can be used to create a unique and compelling voice for the story.
* Cons:
* Can be jarring: It can be jarring for readers used to traditional past tense narratives.
* Limited flexibility: It can be difficult to shift between different points in time.
* Can feel repetitive: Some writers feel it can make the prose feel monotonous.
Ultimately, the choice of tense comes down to what works best for your story:
* Think about the tone and style you want to achieve: A fast-paced thriller might benefit from present tense, while a character-driven drama might be better suited to past tense.
* Consider your audience: What kind of reading experience are you trying to create?
* Experiment: Try writing a scene in both tenses and see which feels more natural and effective.
Remember, there's no right or wrong answer. The most important thing is to choose the tense that best serves your story.