: Re: How to write in third person present tense without making it sound awkward? Generally it is preferred that one use present tense with POV, or at least it sounds organic. Are there any ground

@Becky328

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I'm currently writing a sci-fi fantasy in third person limited using present tense. If you use an action beat (which in present tense is the default) you can write it plainly. This approach will sound like a play-by-play; my advice for this, use it sparingly and when you want the flow to be quick. You can cover a battle like this. Now for the rest of the story you will have to, I repeat, HAVE TO use (in the moment) techniques. While using narrative, put the reader in the moment. When using dialogue, put the reader in the moment.
I.E.:

Hector aims the crosshairs at the enemy freighter.
The forward cannons light up.
He pulls back the trigger.
Bright white spheres shoot out and head to their target.
The enemy ship blows up.

V.S.:

Hector grabs the main cannon controls. The leather is cracked, it's frayed edges stab into his clammy hands.
Sweat blurs the iron sights.
If the showers still work after this, I'm definitely letting that ugly chick from engineering scrub my back.
He lines the iron sights with the enemy freighter. Its massive hull begins to shrink.
You can't just fuck us and leave without a kiss goodbye you dirty son of a-.
He squeezes the trigger.
The cannons moan.
The floor vibrates.
White light floods Hectors view, he winches and shields his face with both arms.
The light fades into a dull orange glow.
Hector slowly drops his trembling arms.
Orange flames climb out of a hole in the enemy freighter hull. The red exhaust from its engines flicker then die with a plume of billowing dark smoke.
Hector falls to his numb knees.
The halls echo with his laugh.

Of course, you can always drop the (in the moment) technique when the action is supposed to happen quickly. Doing that throughout the entire story is not recommended. The writing style of present tense is more geared to using the present moment not the present action. Getting the reader to live the moments as they are happening, not simply see the actions as they are happening which is what many beginners do when writing present tense.
Remember. Present tense = present moment (what is going to put your reader into that moment)
If you're writing a screenplay then Present tense = present action.

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