: Re: How to deal with things that still exist when writing in past tense? Say I write this: I lived near Les Gobelins, which was a beautiful intersection full of trees. Should it be this?

@Berryessa137

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For the question of mood and style; yes, which tense to use is a matter of which tense is right. A story where a character flees a pursuer is often better in present tense, as it is more immediate and pressing, whereas a story about a person's experiences in general is often better in past tense, as it is easier to skip ahead in time without confusion.

For the examples given only the first version is correct. The second version is written in past tense, however My end of the corridor is quiet. is present tense (as noted in the first version, past tense of is is was) and you should only use one tense or the other.

That said I have written a story where a woman is being interviewed (written in the present tense) and is describing her life (written in the past)

She shifts in her seat, looking as uncomfortable as I am as she continues. 'I was only
ten when they came for me. The sky was dark with snow and I couldn't sleep from the
excitement.'

For the second version to be correct it would have to be written something like this;

Anne fidgets with her hands and looks toward the door, although there have been
no footsteps. My end of the corridor is quiet.

But then this whole sentence would be present tense.

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