Point of View and Tense

Wow, that's a technical topic for me to be getting into on this blog.  I know I don't usually go into the gritty details like this here.  But it's something that has been on my mind lately.

For whatever reason, perhaps it's just a natural inclination and a small fear of trying something new, I always write in past tense.  I just do.  But then I write fantasy and I think that past is pretty traditional for the genre.  Not that I'm saying it can't be done, but just that it seems traditional.

I tend to write in third limited, or at least try.  (I'm sure third omniscient creeps in there sometimes.  That's what revisions are for.)  But I have experimented with first person.  Those are generally the short stories that go unfinished.  One of these days I will force myself to try my hand at first and finish what I start.

A couple of years ago I started reading a book that was written in present tense.  (I can't remember if it was third or first.)  The tense was so jarring to me.  Thinking about it now, I'm not sure it was done with enough finesse as to be invisible.  When I read I want to see the story, not the craft.  Especially when I read for pleasure.  I never did finish the book.

In late 2011 (as in the last few days of the year) I read a book that captured me and didn't let me go.  I had some issues with the book as I finished it but it was with the story, not the craft.  Well into it, perhaps almost two-thirds, I realized something.  The entire book had been written in first person (which I'd noticed) present tense (which I had not noticed).  I was paying attention to the story, not the craft.

Imagine my disappointment two weeks later when I'm reading another book and the first thing I notice is the tense, present, and the POV, first.  I'm not opposed to first, or to present tense.  But when they're not done well they overpower the story.  I also did not finish this book, but not because of the present tense narrative.

Done well, your readers (even writer readers) will not notice your craft, they'll only notice your story.  Unless they're critiquing your work, then they will.  But if they're reading for pleasure they might go back and look at how you've written what's on the page but the story is what should stick more.

Perception

What do you notice first when you're in a new situation or meeting someone new?

What about your characters?  Have you even thought about it?

Me?  I notice decor, architecture, details like that, if it's a building.  A person?  I'm not sure.  Guys, it's definitely smiles.  I'm a sucker for a killer smile.  I had a roommate who always looked at guys' hands first.

The March/April issue of Writer's Digest devoted their entire workbook section to POV and perception.  It's definitely something to think about with your characters.

The author of the perception article poses these questions:

1- How does this person perceive the world?
2- How does she come to understand her environment?
3- What does she choose to notice and to ignore, and why?
4- What does she want to do with what she learns?

For me, I'm pretty sure I'm auditory with some things.  If I know someone really well, know their voice, etc., if they're in a choir or otherwise large group of people who are singing, if I focus in on their face, I can pick their voice out of the group.

That's one part of my perception.  I look at eyes, too, I think.  But to be honest, I've never really thought about how I perceive the world.  (Other than the sneaking suspicion that everyone is out to get me...Get outta that corner!)

Moving on.

Is this something you've thought about in the past?  Is this completely new to you?  Share your thoughts. I'd love to hear and learn from them.