Update, and Advice to New (and Experienced) Writers · 5:12am Apr 12th, 2012
So, a quick update first for those who don't care about the advice. I know I have been remiss in my duties to my stories, but as soon as exams wind down (only one more week!) I will continue. This break has given me time to generate new ideas as well as relax, and I hope to start another series (one I'll actually finish!) that would be more of an adventure story. Sorry for the delays, but school has to come first, and more content is on the way.
Now for the advice. This is an issue that REALLY bugs me. I have seen it in writers both new and veteran; in stories that were awful, and stories that were amazing. It is a mistake that, frankly, makes you look like an amateur when you make it. The worst part is I don't think even many readers notice it, but it is important. And it is....
KEEP YOUR TENSES CLEAR
Here is an example of muddied tenses.
' They walked along the path through the forest.
"This year's fireworks will be the best yet!" Exclaimed Pinkie.
Rainbow Dash agreed, they will be spectacular." '
The problem here is one that a lot of author's make. 'They will be spectacular' could be taken as inner monologue, and therefore could be in present tense, along with the dialogue, but it is not indicated as such in either quotations, italics, or with text indicators. Therefore it is wrong and should be ' they WOULD be spectacular.'
Tenses can be tricky. There are more tenses than just past, present, and future, and being able to identify the variations in between the main three tenses (such as present perfect vs present) is more advanced and not necessarily needed for this level of writing; however being able to keep the basic tenses separated is a foundational must.
Anyway, I hope this advice helped. If you have questions on tenses, ask below and I'll try to help as much as I can. Also, if you'd like to see more advice from me ( I don't claim to be an authority) than tell me. This was just something that was bugging me and I needed to say.
Hey um, I don't know if you would have time, writing your stories and all, but whenever you can, could you be a "pre-post" reader (as I say it) for a story that I will be working on? I will gladly send you a link to it since it will not be published for a while. I am still working on the first chapter though. It's a lot harder than I expected to write....differently. Awaiting your response.
Well I see it as, if you change the 'will' to 'would' then you lose depth in how good they could be. Seeing how most people don't notice it, why give up reader immersion for correct grammar that goes unnoticed?
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Seeing as I haven't written the promised I AM DEATH chapter for you yet, I think I owe you; plus, I'd like to see your new story. Send me the link, I'll be happy to look over it.
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I personally think it does break reader immersion, it does for me. Also, it can say 'will' instead of 'would' but in order to do so it has to make sense for their to be a tense change, like inner monologue. Additionally, if you are using a narrator the tense change would be acceptable. Otherwise, I don't think it adds depth if it's just a mistake.
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I don't, to the average read I don't suspect they would understand that change, and would see 'will' as a more proper use then 'would'.
I know the difference and I still think will sounds better then would in that place.
And the use of will like I said, gives it a more definitive tone. While the use of would makes it seem unsure of the fireworks.
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Would gives just as definite a tone as will. 'Could' is the word that would make it seem unsure. Besides, as I said, the issue is not 'would vs will', just tense. If you prefer 'will' that is fine, the issue is not properly explaining the tense change with, for example, monologue or narration.
Anyway, even if most readers are unaware of the mistake, I don't think its a good idea to consciously let errors like that slide in one's writing. One should always try to maintain proper grammar as best as one can.
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W0w bro yoo last ma thare
^^^^^^^^^^^ Like this lol?
Well I hope I mastered that because that is my personal pet peve and like a massive dam made of jimmy jam piranha milkshake carrots, breaks flow.
Hmm - not that I expect you to go over it again, but if you don't mind me asking did you notice any glaring errors in Chasing Rainbows?
Always room for improvement, after all.
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I noticed a few things, but nothing major. There were a few places where a comma should have been used, and a few typos too. Those are the only things I noticed, and didn't detract at all from your story, which was great. You should write more.
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Thanks! I am indeed writing more - i'm writing a Fluttershy story, in fact. It's interesting, because it requires a completely different tone. Great fun.
And thanks, that's good to know - i'm glad it didn't detract. Appreciate you taking the time.
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Send me a link when its up, I'd like to read it.
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I will.