: Re: Can I change between the use of past tense to present tense for the story being told by a character in first person? My story is told by one of the characters and frequently uses the past

@Eichhorn147

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Personally, I think it's best to avoid tense change in the same section of the story. However, in stories where the POV changes, it may be ok to change the tense.

For example. I am more comfortable writing in present tense when using the first person point of view within the story but prefer to use past tense when writing in the third person. I am currently writing a story in which the POV changes between first (main character) and third (side characters). Here is an excerpt - from both third and first.

The white-washed corridor smelt of bleach; he wrinkled his nose in disgust and sped up his footsteps.
Hospital corridors had always unsettled him; he had never liked their emptiness or the hollow way sounds echoed around it. Nevertheless, he pushed on, ignoring the resonating sound of his footsteps.
He spotted a group of signs on the wall and frowned at them, loosening the navy scarf he'd thrown around his neck in an attempt to look cool. Somehow he'd managed to go in the complete opposite direction of the CAMHS room. He wasn't sure how.

-example of third person, past tense

I rub my eyes fiercely as I follow Jay down the corridor. He looks back briefly and sends me an encouraging smile; I summon some courage and smile back nervously.
Our footsteps are loud and harsh; the sound pierces my ears like a nail through ice.
We pass the ward where the rest of my friends are resting. I peek through the small curtained window, but Jay quickly ushers me on.

-example of first person, present tense

If you do choose to do this, make sure you clearly differentiate the two. Hope this helped a bit!

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