To not like the fashion for writing novels in the present tense?

[TheHiphopopotamus]

Just that really. It gets on my nerves for some reason but I'm not sure why.

A lot of chick lit writers seem to be doing it at the moment and also those paperback thriller types of books.

So, is it just me and I'm being unreasonable or does anyone else not like it?

I imagine it was first picked up as a "signal" of good writing and then staryed to be mis-used by writers who... let's say... weren't as competent (please note the reported-speech past tense, there!)

Exactly this!

Present can sound very precious and artier than thou, so it needs to be used competently and sparingly.

I hate it too. My children have a couple of fairy story books written in present tense and I always change to past tense when reading aloud to them.

i write a lot of stories and tend to flip between first person, second person and past tense, it really depends on the situation, and the story that you're writing... its a matter of picking what's best for keeping the reader engaged!

Went to buy lots of books yesterday as was feeling sorry for myself; by the time I'd weeded out:

(a) first person, present tense

(b) 'if you liked 'Gone Girl' or 'Girl on a Train' you'll love this . . .' cover quotes

(c) endorsements by writers I can't stand

(d) diet books

there was nothing left.

I'm a writer, and when a publisher wants me to do it, or a proposal in third person present tense, I cry a little.

(In secret.)

"Artier than thou" is the perfect description. It makes the narrator's voice very intrusive, especially in the hands of less competent writers.

Me too. Especially in the News and journalism. Lazy journalism imo. And on here - "Alan Rickman dies" - no, he died or has died. You only die once as far as I am aware.

Hate use of present tense. Seems to be hugely popular though.

YANBU

Many novice writers picture their scenes in their heads like a film and then write down what they see, which leads to present tense scenes full of 'stage directions'. It doesn't make for good writing.

Doesn't worry me what tense books are written in, but this thread has reminded me that when I was a child I and my friends didn't like books written in the 1st person. We called them "I books".

Ooh I had never even thought about this, but just picked up a book I began recently (Rosamund Lupton, Quality of Silence) and the very thing is presence tense! I usually love her, hope it doesn't annoy me now.

This is a useful thread as I am 1/3 of the way through writing my first novel. I had to quickly check I wasn't doing it (I'm not), it doesn't seem like a natural way to write tbh, but I will reserve judgement until I finish the above book. Hopefully if it's well-written - which hers are - it will work.

Yes, I also had to abandon Wolf Hall after a couple of pages. Daft.
Also Patricia Cornwell started writing Kay Scarpetta novels in the present and I had to give them up. (I see, I look, I cook, etc aaaargh!)
Another thing I don't like is when a male author is writing in the 1st person as a female and vice-versa. Douglas Kennedy is ok, but I can't read others.

For me this is a reason not to read a book. I am so sad that Mo Hayder has started writing her Jack Caffery books in the present tense, I used to read all her stuff.

Glad to see I'm (mostly) not being unreasonable but where has this fad come from?

I can't believe that an established series of books have switched to writing in the present tense either! That would seriously annoy me

I actually really like it, as it makes me feel more involved in the activity of the plot. For example, in The Crimson Petal and the White the author addresses the reader directly in the present tense and it is great.

Maybe I am unusual though? I generally like good stories, pageturning ones, and don't worry about tense that much.

But no, yanbu...just I feel differently

travelling I loved The Crimson Petal and if I'm honest I'd forgotten it was in present tense.

I think someone up thread had it when they said, if the writing is good, you don't notice. But in these turgid thriller type novels I can't bear all this business, I open the door to my penthouse apartment and throw the keys on the tan leather sofa once in. I pull my Italian designer boots off and pad over to the kitchen. I open the door of my walk in freezer, select a salad and begin tearing the leaves. The marble work tops are cold against my slim, toned midriff.

It makes me want to poke my eyes out with a blunt instrument